GARDEN
_ Plant bulbs so their tops are at a depth equal to three times their height. Plant tip side up.
_ Rodents eat tulip & crocus bulbs but avoid daffodils.
_ Cut Peonies down to ground level & destroy leaves.
_ Mulch Roses when ground has frozen.
_ Dig up Dahlia Bulbs.
_ Hostas are going dormant. After foliage has yellowed & browned, cut stalks to the ground.
_ Prune stalks of summer perennials to the ground.
ANNUALS & VEGGIES
_ Ornamental kale & cabbage make colorful companions for garden mums.
_ Destroy slug egg masses found under garden debris or plastic mulch.
_ Dig up summer-flowering bulbs such as dahlias, gladiolus & canna lilies before the ground freezes & store in a cool, dry & dark place.
_ Remove all fruit dropped from trees to avoid disease next year; also all fallen grapes & those clinging to vines.
_ After frost, rake dead annuals from bedding garden; add to trash can, not compost pile.
_ June-bearing strawberry plants are manufacturing flower buds for fruit in June. Water periodically up to Thanksgiving to achieve optimum bud production.
Leave your ornamental grasses alone for winter interest and cut back in spring.
TREES & SHRUBS
_ Fall browning of inner evergreen needles is normal.
_ Continue planting trees, shrubs & perennials. The roots with continue to grow until the soil temperature
drops to approximately 40*F.
_ Trees getting old? Plant a replacement.
_ Warm, dry days & cool nights produce good leaf color.
_ Do not prune spring flowering shrubs at this time.
_ Mow around fruit trees to eliminate hiding places for rodents. Plant protection around base of fruit trees.
_ Continue watering fall-planted trees & shrubs as needed, especially evergreens.
_ Call a certified arborist to discuss serious tree troubles.
_ Plant tissue freezes when temperatures drop below 30*F (water freezes at 32*F).
_ Formation of dormant buds for next year’s spring flowers on flowering trees & shrubs is now complete.
_ Check your spruce trees for spider mites and treat as needed.
_ Good time to plant some trees and shrubs.
_ If you keep houseplants outside in summer be sure to check for pests such as thrips, mealybugs, and whiteflys.
_ Winterize Lawn Equipment.
_ Collect soil samples now to anticipate soil nutrient needs for the coming year to adjust PH.
_ Don’t forget to drain and shut off water pipes and irrigation systems to prevent them from freezing.
_ When the snow comes be sure to protect plants from winter damage: remove snow from evergreen and water trees during a thaw.
LAWN CARE
_ Skunks in the lawn are searching for insects.
_ Avoid using grass clippings as mulches if they have been treated with pesticides or herbicides.
_ Remove leaves from newly seeded lawns.
_ Old stumps rot quickly when covered with soil.
_ Rake up leaves & needles from lawn.
HOME & PATIO
_ Try growing some herbs on a sunny kitchen windowsill.
_ Put pumpkins on the porch for seasonal color. Remember to carve a Jack-O-Lantern!
_ Waxing refers to when the moon is increasing. Waning refers to when the moon is decreasing.
_ Keep Christmas cactus in cool temperatures (50-55*F at night) to set flower buds.
_ Put leftover pesticides in a safe place. Store all pesticides in original containers with labels intact.
_ Move African violets to a brighter location.
_ Clean, repair & store garden furniture now.
_ Gather up hoses, clean & store for winter.
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