November Gardening Tips from Pike Family Nurseries

There is a nip in the air…time to get out the heavier clothing. 
Enjoy Nature's color show while it lasts.  Autumn's glory is fleeting.  Before we know it, it will be time to rake up all those colorful leaves.

• Last Chance to Fertilize Fescue Lawns before mid-November.  Do not fertilize Bermuda, Zoysia, Centipede or St. Augustine grasses since they are entering dormancy.
• Don't allow leaves to accumulate on your lawn.  Rake them up or use a blower before they have a chance to pile up.  A mat of fallen leaves can prevent sunlight from reaching your grass and hinders air circulation.  If not removed, fallen leaves can cause the grass to die out.
• Put the leaves you rake to good use.  They make an excellent mulch for your planting areas or you can add them to your compost pile.  Composting turns the leaves into a useful gardening substance while saving valuable landfill space.  
• Speaking of mulching…A two to three inch layer of mulch in your planting areas insulates the soil and helps to protect the plant roots from temperature extremes.  Mulching also helps to retain moisture in the soil.  Plants in moist soil can withstand freezing temperatures better.  
• Do you have a shady garden area?  Consider planting hardy ferns such as Autumn,  Christmas, Cinnamon or Japanese Painted Ferns for color and texture during the growing season.  
• November is a great time to plant new trees and shrubs or transplant trees and shrubs that may have outgrown their original planting areas.  Most plants and trees are dormant and have suspended active growth above the ground.  The roots will continue to grow, however, allowing the plants to have a vigorous root system by the time the growing season returns.  Don't plant in ground that is excessively wet or frozen.  
• Houseplants need less water and fertilizer but higher humidity during the winter months.  Shorter daylight hours and sunlight that is less intense lull many houseplants into a semi-dormant state.  Apply a slow-release fertilizer, such as Osmocote, to your houseplants now for gradual feeding throughout the winter.  Furnaces dry out the air, so mist plants frequently to raise humidity levels.      
• Remove faded Pansy blooms as they occur and fertilize pansy beds with Green Light Pansy Food to encourage continuous blooms throughout the winter.  
• In addition to Pansies, you can add Asters, Snapdragons, Ornamental Cabbage and Kale, Mustard greens, Swiss Chard or Parsley to your fall and winter garden for color and texture.
• Consider some special garden features to enhance your landscape.  Add a water feature, a garden wall or pathway, permanent garden art or items to attract birds and wildlife.  These additions will give your garden year-round appeal.  
• Gear up for the holidays and plan to attend Festival of Trees 2003 – The Wonders of Toyland coming up December 6th - 14th - proceeds benefit Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.