November Gardening Tips

Plants in Flower

American Beautyberry, Burford Holly, Chinese Holly, Foster Holly, Nellie R. Stevens Holly, Nandina, Pyracantha, Washington Hawthorn, and Dogwood.

Use wood ashes around the vegetable garden, bulb beds, and around non-acid loving plants if soil pH is below 6.0.
Remember- NCDA Soil testing is still free until Thanksgiving. December-March the test is $4.00.

Time to trim existing asparagus foliage. Cut to the ground after the foliage is killed by frost.
Cut back and clean up frost-killed perennials. Cut off tops of brown perennials, leave roots in soil.
When cutting holiday greener, use sharp pruners to make cuts above a bud or side branch.
Do not prune spring flowering shrubs such as azaleas, spirea, and hydrangeas.

Water your cuttings in the coldframe as needed.
You may want to try your hand at air layering on some of your house plants like dieffenbachia or dumb cane.

Soil test results should be back if samples were sent in September or October. Apply the recommended lime to the areas in need of liming. Wait until spring to fertilize.
Check with the local Extension office for the recommended fruit varieties for the area.
Order fruit trees and grape vines this month for a February or March delivery and planting.
Remember to water your evergreen trees and shrubs thoroughly before winter set in, particularly if weather conditions have been dry.
Look to see if screens or windbreaks are needed around your home.
Continue filling the compost bin with the fallen leaves and spent annuals.
Look for yuletide plants as gifts. Remember, some plants like poinsettias should be placed in the sunniest room in the house.
Add mulch to garden and ornamental beds for added winter protection.
Consider giving your family gardener a holiday gift to use in the garden.
Repair and sharpen garden tools and equipment, store tools and blades with light coat of oil to prevent rusting.
Do NOT prune shrubs such as azaleas, hydrangeas, spirea and forsythia because the flower buds have already formed.