Last updated on October 31st, 2012
MY TWO WISHES THIS MONTH: First, I’d like to never again see a major snowstorm arrive beforethe trees have shed their leaves. Also, I’d like the soggy ground here to become dry enough to allow those leaves to be gathered, shredded, and used. Tall orders, I know, but a gardener can dream, right? Here are the November chores — proceed with the outdoor jobs as weather permits:
Leaves. Gather and then shred these, and trust me — you won’t have to buy expensive soil amendments in the spring. It is shredded leaves that transformed the hideous, dead soil here into rich, worm-filled loam.
Tulips & Other Dutch Bulbs. It’s not quite too late to plant these out. I plant mine at least 8 inches deep, and then water them well to hasten root development before the soil freezes solidly. If squirrels are inclined to dig up your tulip bulbs, sprinkle the area with red pepper flakes. Or just focus on daffodils, which are not bothered by pests.
Garlic. This is an autumn-planted bulb, too. Plant individual cloves 3 inches deep and about 6 inches apart.
Iris. Lightly mulch first year plantings after a hard freeze. Mature plantings don’t require protection.
Hellebores. Dig in a little bone meal (or cottonseed meal) around the plants. Also, give them a top dressing of compost or shredded leaves.
Hostas. Cut back to the ground. Refrain, however, from dividing and transplanting at this time; you’ll have better success if you wait until spring.
Hoses, Faucets and Gutters. Store hoses in cellar or garage; drain faucets and clean out leaves from gutters. I hire out these last two jobs.
Driveways and Parking Areas. Insert markers while you can still pound them into the ground. Sturdy stakes with reflectors make good guides for snow removal, and keep most though not all thoughtless guests from parking on lawns and beds.
Boxwood. If new plantings are of dubious hardiness, either cover them with burlap or spray them with WiltPruf. WiltPruf, an anti-transpirant, protects against both sun- and wind-burn. Hardy varieties like ‘Winter Gem’ (pictured above and below) need no protection at all.
Roses. If you live in zone 5 or colder, like I do, be prepared to work. Once the top two or three inches of soil has frozen, mound shredded leaves (aren’t you glad you have these?) up a foot or more around plants. Cut only the most exuberant canes back to keep them from whipping around in the wind. Otherwise, do not attempt any pruning until spring.
Veggie Garden. If soil has settled in raised beds, replenish now with compost, shredded leaves, or a mixture of equal parts manure, top soil and sand. Don’t dig the new material in; just leave it on top for further composting over winter.
Houseplants:
African Violets. Give plants in windows a quarter turn every other day to keep them shapely. Plants under fluorescent lights do not require turning, but they do need more food and water. Be sure to read my always-in-bloom program for African violets.
Amaryllis. Why not treat yourself to some of the gorgeous, big-flowered King’s Court varieties? Pink-brushed white ‘Appleblossom,’ above, is just one of several Hippeastrum that bloomed in my parlor last Christmas. Start bulbs out in a warm, dim spot, and water sparingly until growth is about 6 inches along. Then move to a cool, sunny place. My amaryllis growing- guide.
Dutch Bulbs. Placed in cold storage (a spare refrigerator for me, at least until temperatures in my cellar drop appreciably) these potted bulbs need weekly checking for water. Don’t let roots dry out!
Thanksgiving Cacti. Mine decided they were Halloween cacti this year, for they are now fully in flower. Water and feed this Schlumbergera truncate weekly while it blooms. More cultural details here.
English Ivy. Shower foliage weekly to avoid attacks of red spider and aphids. More beautiful vines you can grow in your window garden.
Kalanchoe. For Christmas bloom, provide twelve to fourteen hours of darkness for three weeks before Christmas. I put this short-day plant in the dark guestroom closet from 8PM until 8AM. My kalanchoe growing guide.
Narcissus Paperwhites. Plant at mid-month for Christmas flowers. To avoid too-tall flowering stalks, I give mine a shot of gin.
Chinese Sacred Lily. For a yellow and white New Year’s bouquet, plant bulbs at mid-month. Like all tropical Narcissi, this “good luck” flower does not require chilling.
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Related Posts:
First-Aid for Snow-Battered Trees & Shrubs
Winter-Sowing 101
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Cary says
So glad to hear you have survived that inundation. Kevin, I don't see the link to November chores posted.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Cary – Fortunately the snow is melting rapidly here. Is the link working for you now? I may have been fixing typos on this piece when you left your comment.
Eric says
Kevin, thanks for the reminder about gutters! Gotta get on that one, and bring the hoses inside too.
Here in Albany, almost all the snow has melted.
Patty says
All of your photos are beautiful but the aerial view of the garden is gorgeous! What a beautiful sanctuary.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Eric – There's been a great melting here, too. Thank goodness!
Patty – Thank you. I took that picture from my attic window.
badger gardener says
Just cleaned out the gutters. I usually “hire out” (aka my husband) but woke up this morn to find out we are about to get inundated w/ rain and since I had the day off the job fell to me. Ugh!
I notice some smaller pots in your bulb refrigerator. I have a trio of pots that are only 3″ tall, 3.5″ wide and I always thought they'd look lovely w/ some blooms, but thought they were too small. Any suggestions?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
badger gardener – Be sure to pay yourself handsomely for cleaning the gutters. It is a job I loathe.
Regarding 3.5″ pots: These are ideal for a number of flowering plants who don't enjoy much surplus soil about their roots. Just now I have African violets, wax begonias and a pink geranium all growing (and blooming!) in tiny, 3″ pots.
The small pots in my bulb refrigerator are 4 inches in diameter. These contain Scilla siberica 'Spring Beauty.'