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Parker County
Master Gardener Association
Garden Tips - November
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Special Note:
Garden this month with average first killing frost date for our area in
mind. Our first average killing frost date is November 12th --15th. Killing
frosts can and do occur before this date but it is good indicator.
Place orders for seeds this month so you will have them
available when you are ready to plant. By ordering early, you will be sure
to get the varieties you want. Store in a closed container in the lower part
of your refrigerator or in a cool dark place until time to plant.
Now is an ideal time to plant pansies and violas. Select a sunny site having
well prepared soil. Plant calendulas, flowering kale, larkspur, pansies,
snapdragons, stock, sweet alyssum and violas now for early spring color. It
is best to use started plants at this time. Select short, stocky plants with
good green color.
November thru February is a good time to plant trees and shrubs.
If there are bare spots under trees or other bare areas of your landscape,
consider using shade tolerant ground cover in those areas. Algerian and
English ivy, Monkeygrass, liriope, vinca or wintercreeper euonymus are
excellent choices.
Continue planting spring flowering wildflowers early this month:
bluebonnets, coreopsis, Drummond phlox, and rudbeckia still can be sown.
Plant daffodils and grape hyacinths any time this month.
Dutch hyacinths and tulips should be refrigerated (45 degrees for a minimum
of 45 days) all of November, with planting coming in mid-or late December.
Take cuttings from winter tender plants prior to frost.
Tidy up the landscape:
Keep mowing until first frost. Shred tree leaves and grass clippings and use
them in compost, or use them in flower and shrub beds.
Spray peach and plum trees this month to protect against peach leaf curl and
bacterial stem canker. Use copper-based fungicide. Remove fallen fruit and
other rubble from beneath fruit trees to remove a major source of
infestations for next year.
Late in the month, spray non-grassy weeds such as chickweed, clover,
dandelions and henbit while they are young with a broadleafed herbicide.
After it turns cold, the weed killer will not work effectively.
Watch for brown patch. (See September for discussion and treatment).
Watch for fire ants and apply individual mound treatments.
Evergreen plants frequently suffer from lack of moisture during the winter
dry periods that occur.
Protect tender plants by covering with structures made of wood frames and
covered with clear plastic film. If a severe freeze is predicted, use an
outdoor type extension cord and a light bulb placed under the cover. It will
provide sufficient heat to protect the plants if the cover is well
constructed. You may choose to use a floating row cover (this will protect
many of the plants).
Drain the gasoline from power tools and run the engine until fuel in the
system is used.
Clean, repair and oil garden tools and equipment. A coat of linseed oil on
wooden handles will help preserve the wood.
Christmas poinsettias will soon be available. Do not be misled by the scare
stories about the poisonous qualities of these beautiful plants. Plant
scientists at Ohio State University have proven though extensive testing
that they are not poisonous. There is, however, the possibility that some
individuals may be allergic to certain plants including the poinsettia.
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