November Garden Calendar

Lawns

  • Continue to mow as long as the grass is still actively growing.
  • Second-best time to fertilize cool-season lawns
  • Spray winter annual weeds
  • If no seeding is taking place, apply pre-emergent herbicide to prevent winter annuals. Irrigation may be needed to activate the herbicide.
  • Irrigate when dry before freezing temperatures set in.
  • Dormant seeding can start when temperatures drop below 40 °F.
  • Remove large piles of leaves from lawn areas by bagging and removing, mulching them into the lawn, or moving them to an area off turfgrass.

Trees and Shrubs

  • Protect young plants from rabbit damage by wrapping them or making a wire screen.
  • Continue to plant new trees and shrubs.
  • Rake leaves.
  • Rake and remove any leaves that are diseased to reduce reinfection in the spring.
  • Check mulch layers and replenish to maintain a 2-to-3-inch depth.
  • Prune dead or hazardous limbs.
  • Do not prune spring-flowering trees and shrubs until after they bloom.
  • Water evergreens to reduce winter injury in dry soil conditions.

Vegetables and Fruits

  • Sort apples in storage and remove spoiled fruit.
  • Clean and remove fallen fruit from around trees to reduce insects and disease next year.
  • Treat peaches for peach leaf curl while dormant.
  • Review garden notes about successes and failures.
  • Start planning for next year.
  • Take a soil test and make needed adjustments.
  • Till garden soil and add organic matter.
  • Plant a green manure crop such as winter wheat or rye for added organic matter.
  • Remove all debris from the garden area to reduce insects and disease next year.
  • Clean tomato cages and store.

House Plants

  • Check plants for insects such as aphids and spider mites.
  • Keep plants away from heat vents and cold drafts.
  • Locate plants about 1 foot away from windows to protect them from winter cold.
  • Reduce or stop fertilizing until spring.
  • Water as needed and avoid letting roots stand in water.
  • Rinse to remove dust from leaves.
  • Continue dark treatment of poinsettias for holiday blooming.
  • Plant and water amaryllis bulbs for Christmas blooms.

Flowers

  • Clean up rose beds to help reduce disease for next season.
  • Remove frost-killed annuals.
  • Till annual flowerbeds and add organic matter to improve soil health.
  • Continue to plant spring flowering bulbs.
  • Dig and store tender bulbs, cannas, gladiolus, dahlias, and others in a cool, dark, dry area.
  • Cut back tall rose canes to 24 inches to prevent winter breakage.
  • Mulch tea roses with a cone of garden soil about 6 inches deep over the plant.
  • Leave dead stems on perennials to provide nesting areas for native bees and pollinators.
  • Wind-blown leaves in gardens provide a natural area for overwintering beneficial insects.

Miscellaneous

  • Clean and oil garden tools, sprayers, and other equipment for winter storage.
  • Drain garden hoses and sprinklers and store indoors for increased life.
  • Start a compost pile with fall leaves.
  • Turn compost pile to hasten breakdown.

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Freeze Warning Checkoff List

Have questions? The Garden Hotline is staffed by trained EMG volunteers and Extension staff who will assist you with questions.

Phone: (913) 715-7050

Email: garden.help@jocogov.org