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FeedNovember 2007 Garden Tips
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
• At the beginning of November, spread a second application of lawn fertilizer. This is critical if you did not fertilize in September or October. This late season application results in thicker lawns that green up earlier in spring because it is feeding the still actively growing root system. Water well after applying if no rain in expected.
• Finish cleaning perennial beds. Cut garden mums and iris to 6 inches.
• Cover tender perennials after the first hard frost with 8-10 inches of straw.
• Be sure that your tender plants are protected from the frost. Mulching with bark, sawdust, leaves, grass or straw will help create a blanket of protection over the root system.
• Give your lawn a good raking to lift away accumulations of debris. Keep leaves raked from the lawn. They should be composted. Alternatively, you can mow over them, turning them to mulch, which adds important nutrients back to the lawn.
• Keep leaves picked up from lawn and winterize with fall lawn fertilizer.
• Water newly planted lawns throughout the fall, but water established lawns only when they show signs of wilting in dry fall seasons. Do water trees and shrubs until the ground freezes if it has been a dry fall.
• Service and prepare your snow blower for winter use.
• Avoid next years hose kinks by disconnecting hoses from outside water outlets, draining them of water, and storing in a dry location.
• Cut the grass as long as it keeps growing or until the snow starts flying. The final cut does not need to be shorter.
• Wrapping the trunks of young trees to prevent sunscald can be done now, but you must make a commitment to unwrap them when temperatures begin to warm in late April or early May. Leaving the wrap on too long can trap moisture creating a host environment for insects and disease.
• Organize and safely store fertilizers and pesticides. Always leave pesticides in their original container. Store in a locked area away from pets and children. Granular formulations should be stored in a cool, dry location. Liquids should be kept out of direct sunlight and freezing temperatures.
• Decorate window boxes or pots with spruce tree tips before the ground freezes.
• You may begin to notice that the inner needles on your pine trees are turning yellow. This is a normal process whereby the tree is shedding its oldest needles. As long as there are green, healthy needles on the outer part of the branch, you need not worry.
• Work on your journal. Record all pest problems from this year. Evaluate causes and do research over the winter to reduce future problems.
• Plant your amaryllis bulbs now for blooming during the holiday season.
Resources
America’s Best Flowers608-222-2269
Gertens Greenhouse and Garden Center
651-450-1501
Linder’s Garden Center
651-488-1927
Lynde Greenhouse & Nursery
763-420-4400
Noble Landscape and Garden Center
763-862-7218
Villa Landscapes
Burnsville • 952-894-1553
Maple Grove • 763-425-9277
Oakdale • 651-773-7440
Wagner Greenhouses
612-922-6901 or 612-922-1262
11 ISSUES (1 YEAR)
