You might be waking up to frost on your windshield every once in a while, but just because November is here, that doesn’t mean that gardening season has ended. You want to keep caring for your garden until the ground freezes, but what specifically do you need to do? Follow these November gardening tips from Promier Landscapes to help your outdoor landscape be its best, and healthiest come springtime.
Step 1: Water, water, water
You want to keep watering your shrubs, conifers, and anything you planted this year up until the ground freezes, which will occur long after the temperature of the air dips below 32 degrees.
Step 2: Don’t leave those leaves
It’s vital to rake fallen leaves from your lawn. Your grass needs sunlight exposure to fortify its root network for the spring, as well as time to acclimate to the decreasing temperatures to prepare itself for winter. We suggest mowing over dry, fallen leaves and using it as mulch for your garden beds and shrubs.
Step 3: Nourish your soil
Fall is an ideal time of year to enrich your soil with an additive. Your soil can take its time and absorb the nutrients all winter long. If you aren’t such what nutrients your soil needs, consider having it tested at your local garden center.
Step 4: Switch out plants
Once you’ve cleared out those dead annuals from your container gardens, replace them with cold-tolerant plants to keep your outdoor landscape looking festive. Be sure to harvest any cooler-weather vegetables you may have planted: carrots, parsnips, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, and kale all can last into late fall.
November gardening guide for specific plants
- Shrubs and trees – November is the best time to plant new shrubs and trees or move existing trees and shrubs to a new location. Whether you are planting or transplanting, apply mulch in a layer that is 3-4 inches thick. If you’re planting any new evergreens, you’ll want to monitor their water level throughout the winter. Placing mulch around any existing trees and shrubs will help protect them from frigid temperatures or dehydration.
- Perennials, annuals, and bulbs – This depends on the specific species of plant you have. With roses, for example, you want to rake any fallen leaves from under them to help prevent black spot. Many perennials, such as chrysanthemum, need to have their stems cut close to the ground. Ornamental grasses can be kept at their current length. While fall is the best time to plant any bulbs that flower in the spring, you should wait to plant any marginally-hardy bulbs until the new growing season. The general rule of thumb with winter annuals—pansies, violas, snapdragons, kale, and ornamental cabbage—need to be planted as early in the month as possible. Mulch flower beds with approximately 2-3 inches of fine mulch or good compost. Diseased plant material should be thrown away and not composted to prevent further spread of disease in the spring.
Fall lawn care in Kingsport
Promier Landscapes can handle any aspect of your lawn care and maintenance, no matter the season. To learn more about how to get your landscape ready for winter, call (423) 872-2988 to schedule a consultation if you live in the areas of Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol, Tennessee.