Garden Calendar-October-November

 

 

 

 

•Plant trees, shrubs, and evergreens now so they will be better established when spring growing season arrives. Roots grow while the soil temperature is warm and the tops are dormant.  Use Fertilome Root Stimulator when planting and 2-3 more times every two weeks. Mix 3½ tablespoons of root stimulator per gallon of water and pour in the soil after planting.

   •Fertilize cool season grasses (fescue, bluegrass, and ryegrass) with Fertilome Winterizer, Milorganite (which is also a good deer repellent), or by topdressing with fine compost ½” deep to nourish the soil and promote healthier lawns.

  •Spray roses in November with Fertilome Triple Action or Copper Fungicide for a good dormant “clean-up” of roses.  Remove any remaining leaves from roses and spray the canes to prevent overwintering black spot disease. Apply 1 cup per rose of Chicken Soup for Roses, an all-organic fertilizer we make based on a recipe from the Missouri Botanical Garden, for better growth in spring. Wait until early spring to do major pruning of roses, but they can be shortened for winter to 18” or taller.  Pile bagged compost & manure or Mushroom Compost around the base of roses to about 8” deep to protect roses over the winter after the weather is cold but before 20°F temperatures.

    •Cover garden plants like lettuce, spinach, broccoli, etc., with Plantguard Row Covers to protect them from frost and extend their growing season.  Our first frost date here is usually October 15-20.   

   •Mow or rake fallen leaves to keep them from matting on the lawn.  Mowing leaves and bagging with a lawnmower, then piling them in an out of the way place will make good use of these valuable leaves for compost, mulch, or to add to a garden next spring. Don’t burn or throw away these valuable nutrients.

    •Plant spring flowering bulbs (tulips, daffodils, crocus, hyacinths, alliums, etc.) using two tablespoons of HiYield Bone & Bloodmeal, or Espoma Bulb Tone in the hole when planting. Using a hand bulb planter or a drill powered “Power Planter” makes the planting easier and faster. As long as you can dig the hole, you can plant!