By Shirley Miller
Master Gardener
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November

Gardening Tasks Reminder

Fertilize shrubs and deciduous trees this month. There are several varieties of tree & shrub fertilizer on the market. Some are made in crystal form, which can be spread under the drip line of the tree and simply watered in. Nutrient up-take will continue until the soil freezes.

Apply approximately 2 inches of cured manure or composted organic material under the drip line of pines and magnolias.

Apply Nitrogen only fertilizer to cool season grasses. Do not apply fertilizer to warm season grasses. One of the major causes of Spring Dead Spot in Bermuda is applying nitrogen fertilizer too late in the season.

November can be one of our driest months. Plants that are not receiving adequate moisture when the first hard freeze hits will almost always show signs of decline the next spring. Azaleas are especially susceptible to bark split, if dry, when a hard freeze occurs. Remember to water your Azaleas throughout the winter season.

Don't forget to water under the overhang. Even heavy rains do not reach plants under a south overhang.

Turf needs to receive 1 inch of water per week.

Remember to water your compost pile.

Gather dry leaves for mulch and compost. Leaves decompose faster if shredded before adding to the compost bin. Pine needles make a good mulch for azaleas and other acid-loving shrubs. Pile mulch around azaleas and rhododendrons at least 2 inches deep. Pine bark is also a good mulch for acid-loving plants.

Leave dead stems on mums to give some measure of winter protection. If you must cut dead stems, gently trim back close to the ground. Avoid disturbing the small plantlets that are next year's bloom. Apply a 2/3 inch layer of loose mulch, such as leaves, after the ground has frozen.

After the first killing freeze, mound soil or mulch 8 inches around the base of roses. Be sure that the bud union is covered.

Cut away suckers from the base of Lilacs, Forsythia, Crabapples and Crape Myrtle. It is ok to cut away the unsightly seed heads from Crape Myrtle. Wait for substantial pruning, though, until after Crape Myrtle begins to leaf out in the spring.

Delay pruning fruit trees until next February or March before bud break.

Wait to prune Maple, Birch and other "bleeders" until completely dormant. A nice day in January is a good time for this task.

After a killing freeze, keep the garden neat by cutting and disposing of debris..

November is a good time to plant spring flowering bulbs. Crocus planted in clusters in the grass will give a beautiful early spring display, just when needed most. Some people like to toss the bulbs out and plant where they fall for a natural display.

Pansies are our most reliable blooming plant during the winter. When it gets very cold for a period, pansies will stop blooming, but will bounce right back when a few warm days coax them. Finish dividing perennials early this month.. Divide and replant daylilies as long as the ground is not frozen.

Plant amaryllis bulbs now for Christmas bloom. Red and white varieties make a stunning Holiday display.

Continue to plant balled and burlapped trees. Refer to "How to Plant a Tree in Clay soil found elsewhere on this web site.

Plant garlic early this month. Try to find garlic that has not had a growth inhibitor applied.

Control broadleaf winter weeds, such as dandelion, with a post-emerge herbicide. Call the Master Gardener office for the proper post emergence chemical. Phone 746-3701.

Watch for aphids on Arborvitae. Aphids tolerate cooler temperatures and do as much damage as in warmer weather.

Wrap base of trees susceptible to rodent damage. Aluminum foil or other protective coverings will help.

Apply dormant oil for scale infested trees and shrubs before temperatures fall below 40 degrees. Follow label directions.

When pruning away dead stems, do not place diseased plants in the compost pile. Destroy, or send to the trash to avoid infecting next year's garden.

One of the best gardening habits you can cultivate is good sanitation. Pick up all dead leaves, branches and other debris and discard. Many types of fungus and other harmful "critters" overwinter in such debris and can get a head start next spring before you know it.

This is the time to winterize your garden. Average first killing frost in our area is November 7th. Wait until the first killing frost to apply winter mulch. Keep mulch 6 inches away from stems and trunks. Straw, dried grass clippings, shredded pine bark and pecan hulls all provide good mulch. Mulch provides insulation from both freezing and the warm winter sun.

Young and newly planted trees are subject to winter damage. Bark Cracking occurs on a cold, clear day when the sun creates a heat differential between the exposed and shaded sides of the tree. Protect the trunk with wraps that are commercially available. Do, remember, however, to check the bark during the winter in order to avoid overwintering insects.

Dead, diseased and storm-damaged limbs can be removed any time they are noticed. Normal pruning is discouraged from mid-August until the first frost, because some species are stimulated to grow when pruned. Tender shoots could be damaged by subsequent cold weather. Dehorning is never recommended. Fact Sheet 6409 "Pruning Ornamental Trees and Shrubs" has good information concerning pruning. For further information on winter damage, refer to Fact Sheet 6404.
Disconnect all hoses, drain and store.
Clean and store garden tools. Coat with a light application of oil to prevent rusting. Drain fuel tanks.
Terra Cotta pots containing soil, will freeze and crack if left out during the winter. Empty soil and use a wire brush to clean pots in a solution of one part bleach to ten parts of water. Store in a protected area for reuse next spring.
Store leftover garden seeds in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer until next spring.
Clean and fill bird feeders. Put out suet for the insect eaters. Remove and store hummer feeders. It is imperative to supply fresh water to the birds coming to your yard during the freezing weather. Small water heaters suitable for the bird bath are available at little cost and will pay huge dividends all winter.
Dig and store canna, gladiola, dahlia and calla lilies, elephant ears and other non- hardy bulbs and tubers. Be sure that all bulbs and tubers are dry before storing.

Contact the Master Gardeners at the Tulsa County Extension for more information.

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Date Modified:Tuesday, 27-Oct-2009 12:31:40 EDT

Tuesday, 09-Feb-2010 07:59:42 GMT