• Northwest, and Northern
  California Gardens
• Southwest, Desert &
  Southern Cal Gardens
• Northeast, Midwest &
  Central Plains Gardens
• Southeast &
  Mid-Atlantic Gardens
• Rocky Moutains &
  California Mtn Gardens
• Tropical &
  Sub-Tropical Gardens

Gardening Tips for November

Northeast, Midwest and Central Plains Gardens

• Clean up the perennial border before Old Man Winter arrives!
• Get a head start on eliminating potential garden pests and problems for next spring: Do a thorough cleanup of your planting beds, taking care of any remaining annuals and vegetables in the garden. Any debris that's infested with insects or plagued by fungi should be thrown away - not composted. Good sanitation goes a long way in the garden!
• Get out the rake and keep those fallen leaves off your lawn - especially if you've recently seeded. A layer of leaves left on your turf can easily smother young or mature lawns.
• Toss those raked leaves in a compost pile or shred leaves with the lawn mower to use as mulch on landscape beds and borders.
• Plant spring-flowering bulbs like daffodils, tulips and hyacinths (and more) in your beds and borders. (As long as the ground isn't frozen, there's still time!) Remember, plant now in fall, to enjoy these blooming beauties in spring.
• Dig and store tender bulbous plants (like dahlias, cannas, gladiolas and elephant ears) after frost has killed the foliage. (Nonhardy bulbs that are left in the ground will turn to mush during winter's freeze.) Store your tender bulbs in a frost-free location until all danger of frost has passed come spring.
• Keep mowing if your lawn is still growing. The "last mow" of the season is near, but in the meantime, don't bag those grass clippings - recycle them back on the lawn. Contrary to what you might have heard, clippings will not become thatch (that spongy layer found between grass blades and roots). Once you make that final cut of the season, winterize your lawn mower. Any repairs, sharpening or blade replacements should be done during winter so you and the mower are ready when active lawn growth resumes.
• Keep your plants well-watered going into late fall and winter, paying close attention to any that have been recently planted. Plants that face winter "dry" are prone to damage and dieback during the cooler months. The trick is to water deeply, and less often to promote self-sufficient plants. (Otherwise the more you water, the shallower plant roots will be.) A layer of mulch around the base of your plants will also help retain moisture.
• Create some "black gold" to add to your garden next year - it's easy when you compost! Garden debris (like spent annuals and vegetables) and fallen leaves make suitable additions to the compost pile.
• Make a pinecone bird feeder with the kids and grandchildren: Just roll pinecones in peanut butter and birdseed. Hang the finished ornaments with rustic twine or ribbon in shrubs and trees near windows and seating areas for quiet observation and enjoyment.
• Plan your Thanksgiving Day menu with a little winter squash. Butternut and acorn squash are traditional holiday additions - and are even good for you! Roasted squash is an easy and tasty way to get more of this healthful veggie into your family's diet.
• Force paper whites for holiday enjoyment. Blooming paper white bulbs are known for their intoxicating fragrance, especially during the winter holidays. If you'd like to enjoy them in December, now's the time to get started!

• Plant some amaryllis bulbs in containers every two weeks from now through early winter for a continual indoor bloom display that can last until spring. Prized for its incredible trumpetlike flowers, amaryllis is easy to grow and enjoy.
• Protect your "marginally hardy" plants that you've been enjoying since spring. Container plants can be planted in the ground and mulched to protect the roots, or they can be moved to a sheltered location (like a garage) and kept safe from the upcoming bitter cold.
• If you haven't already, fertilize foliage plants one last time according to package directions. This application will have to carry them through until February, when you can resume feeding and encourage plants to push forth new growth in time for spring and summer.
• Get a head start on eliminating potential garden pests and problems for next spring: Do a thorough cleanup of your planting beds, taking care of any remaining annuals and vegetables in the garden. Any debris that's infested with insects or plagued by fungi should be thrown away - not composted. Good sanitation goes a long way in the garden!
• Take care of your gardening tools. Outdoor fall chores are winding down. When you're finished for the season, properly clean and store your digging equipment.
• Come to The Garden Party and share your gardening adventures with other home gardeners in your region, as well as around the country. Post pictures of your garden, write a blog, or ask expert green thumbs for more help, tips or suggestions on how to enhance your outdoor living experience.