November in the Garden
Divide and transplant your peonies, rhododendrons, and azaleas this month. Dig the largest root ball you can and get it back into the soil ASAP. Remember to dig the new hole bigger than the root ball and add compost, aged manure, or peat moss to the soil. Work well into the soil, loosening the soil so the new roots can penetrate it easily. A transplanting fertilizer added will help the new roots develop. Water!!!!!
You might need to stake recently-planted trees and shrubs if you get a lot of high winter winds. You should also put up a barrier to keep rabbits and other little furry friend from stripping the bark during those lean winter months. Chicken wire staked around the tree or bush works well. Don't put it tightly against the plant however--give it some room.
Fall planting encourages good root development and gives the plants a chance to get established before the spring growing season, next year. Now is the time to plant those additions to your landscaping.
Clean up the garden this month. Cut off dead leaves and other debris and add to the compost pile. Leave some seed heads on for the birds.
Just when you thought you could relax a bit--weeds tend to germinate like crazy during the fall.. So if you haven't gotten them all by now, don't stop yet!
Get those spring flowering bulbs (tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and crocus) in the ground. As long as it isn't below zero and the ground isn't frozen, you can plant them, but do you really want to be doing it in January?
Remember that tender and semi-tender plants need winter protection. Finish digging up tender bulbs, and protect other plants with mounds of mulch. In really cold weather, a cloth cover helps protect the plants.
For more detailed information on gardening and lawn care in your area, contact:
http://www.yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu or your county extension office
Iowa Master Gardener Program (Call us with your questions 10am to noon and 1-4:30pm, M-F--515-294-3108 or contact us via e-mail: hortline@iastate.edu)
Your local garden center
[January] [ February] [ March] [ April] [ May] [ June] [ July] [ August] [ September] [ October] [December]