The first half of this month continues the bulb-planting season that began in mid-October.
November 15 is the important deadline to remember - especially for planting anemones,
daffodils, iris, jonquils, narcissus, ranunculus and zephyranthes bulbs. You can wait until
the middle of December to plant tulips and hyacinths, but only if you already have been
keeping these bulbs in the refrigerator since mid-October. Tulips and hyacinths need six
weeks of chilling in order to flower properly.
In November you can plant several kinds of annuals from seeds. Your options include sweet
peas, oriental poppy, snapdragons, sweet allysum, nasturtium, larkspur and delphenium.
November is the time to set out pansy plants. During this month you also can safely divide
and transplant ground covers such as liriope, monkey grass and ajuga. If you fell behind in
your October chores, November is still not too late to divide perennials, particularly
shasta daisies and violets.
Don't forget about possible cold weather in the weeks ahead. Cold-sensitive vines and plants
such as amaryllis, hibiscus, plumbago and gerberas should be mulched with a two or three inch
layer of pine straw leaves or pine bark to protect them from early freezes. Make sure you
give them adequate water prior to the freezing temperatures.
Also, you should dig up caladiums, because freezing temperatures can kill them.
Dig caladiums with the foliage intact and air dry them for several days in the shade.
Afterward, remove the foliage and store them in a cool place where they won't freeze. Replant
next April.
You'll also want to dig up dahlia roots and store them -- but you don't need
to dig them up until the first frost kills the tops. After the frost hits, cut off the old
tops to within four or five inches of the soil and leave them in the ground for two or three
days. Then, dig up the roots and wash off the soil. Allow the roots to air dry in the shade
for several days and store them in old newspaper, peat moss, or some similar material in a
cool area of the house where they're not likely to freeze. This can be done with caladiums
also.
Don't forget to take care of your garden tools after you're finished with
them for the winter. Give them a good cleaning and oiling. If you put them away dirty, they're
likely to rust and be more difficult to use in the spring.
For vegetable gardeners, a few varieties are still possible to plant this
month. Your choices are mustard, turnips, shallots, cabbage, spinach, collard transplants,
garlic and kale.
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