Article 1: Checklist of Things To Do in the November Garden

◊ gifts & accessories
◊ plants
◊ fertilizer & soil
◊ garden tools
◊ classes
◊ register online
◊ articles
◊ newsletter
◊ links
◊ sitemap
◊ contact
◊ home

The Natural Gardener
Garden Store Ltd.
4376 West 10th Ave.
Vancouver, BC V6R 2H7
Tel: 604-224-2207
Fax: 604-224-2216
Email

Vancouver Weather

Article 1

A Checklist of Things To Do in the November Garden
November is an excellent month to get those last minute garden duties finished. It may be wet but it is still not to cold yet. So, here is a list of things to do that will help you get those garden chores out of the way.

There is still time to plant those trees, shrubs and perennials you picked up in October but haven't had time to get in the ground. Just remember to mulch them well once they are planted. This is also an excellent time to move or divide your peonies.

Get those bulbs in. While you can wait until December if you must, your bulbs will do much better if you can get them in before then. Don't forget to add a little organic Bone Meal with each bulb. Just a note that regular bone meal hasn't got much in the way of nutrients anymore due to over processing because of the threat of Mad Cow disease. Organic Bone Meal hasn't been over processed and is an excellent fertilizer for your bulbs. If you haven't already done so, apply a good organic lawn fertilizer such as Gaia Greens Vegetative Blend. Your lawn will love you for it and be healthier next year.

You can also fertilize your trees and shrubs once the leaves have turned colour and/or fallen off.

Water all your evergreen trees and shrubs really well before the first hard frost. This may seem like a moot point with all the rain we get but even a few days without rain will dry out your evergreens and can lead to 'winter burn' or even death.

Start potting up indoor bulbs for December and January colour. Remember that paperwhites take 4-6 weeks to bloom once they are planted while hyacinths will still need another 6 weeks of chilling before bringing them out into your room. Just place them in the fridge but remember to top up the water regularly.

If you saved your amaryllis bulb from last year now is the time to bring it in, repot it, water it well and place in a bright room. You should have wonderful blooms by Christmas.

Stop fertilizing your indoor plants since they use less water and fertilizer due to the lower light levels.

Delay all unnecessary pruning until late winter or early spring, just before bud break. Your plants will heal faster when your plant is growing the most vigorously.

Rake up those leaves. I know it seems pointless when there are still so many leaves left on the tree, I feel the same way about the sidewalk in front of the store, but leaving them on the lawn can prove detrimental to it. For a great mulch for your garden run over them with the mower first then spread them over your garden beds. Voila, the perfect mulch.

Now is a good time to clean, repair and sharpen all your gardening tools. If looked after properly you will get years of use out of them.

Hanging baskets should be emptied and washed thoroughly with soap and mild bleach solution before being put away for the winter.