November things to do in the garden
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| Collect seeds from mature annual flower heads |
Start by checking the containers and soil for
insects. Soak the planted pots in a tub of lukewarm water for 15 minutes to
force the insects to leave. If there are burrowed insects in the pot such as
snails or earthworms, repot the plant to remove them before bringing them
inside.
If the plant became large and leggy over the summer,
prune back the roots and the top before repotting in fresh soil.
Gradually help the plants get used to the low light
in a home by putting them in shade for more and more hours a day before
bringing them in. The best windowsill light is about half the light plants get
outdoors.
Many plants you enjoyed this summer can have a
second life if you take cuttings that you can replant next spring. We have had
success with all succulents, begonias, petunias, Purple Heart, geranium,
coleus, wire vine, impatiens, sweet potato vine, rosemary, pineapple sage,
lavender, mint, etc.
Take 5-inch cuttings that end where a leaf grows.
Remove almost all of the leaves below the top few. Put sterile potting soil
mixed with perlite in a clean container with drain holes. Dampen the soil and
let it drain.
Put holes into the soil with a pencil and carefully
place one cutting in each hole. Water the soil and let it drain again. Check
the cuttings every few days to make sure they are damp not wet or dry. Check
for roots after 2 or 3 weeks. When the roots are well established put each
rooted cutting into its own container of soil and put into bright light to grow
out.
Herb plants such as parsley, thyme, oregano and
chives can be dug up, potted and kept in a sunny spot for fresh herbs to use in
the kitchen over the winter.
Live Christmas trees are fun to buy and have in the
house before planting outside. This is the time to prepare the planting spot by
deciding where you’ll want the tree to grow to its full, mature height, and
digging the hole before cold weather sets in.
Dig and store summer flowering bulbs such as
gladiolas, dahlias, caladiums, Elephant Ears and tuberous begonias. The mesh
bags that onions come in are ideal for drying cleaned bulbs and tubers.
When
they are dry enough to store in a frost-free location, put them in sand, peat
moss or sawdust where they will remain dry.
Check them every few weeks, looking for disease or
shriveling. Cut off any diseased spots and plunge shriveling tubers into water
to plump them. Then, put them back into storage after the surface dries.
Many of these plants can also be brought indoors and
treated as houseplants over the winter. Elephant Ears and Cordylines in large
containers make a dramatic impact during the otherwise dull months for
gardeners.
There are plenty of sunny days remaining and they
are ideal for pulling weeds so they do not overwinter and return as giants next
spring. Insect eggs are hiding in the flower and vegetable beds and it is a
good idea to clear all the dead leaves and stems, eliminating insects’ winter
homes.
Lilies and daylilies can be divided, moved and
replanted now. Fall is also a good time to start a compost pile where sticks,
leaves and dead plant material is piled and left to make soil amendment over
the winter.
There is still time to plant spring blooming bulbs,
pansies and perennials on sale at garden centers.
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