Autumn is not a time of rest for gardeners. November requires cleaning, protection and the last plantings, which will determine the condition of the garden in the next season.
Autumn garden cleaning is essential if you want to avoid plant diseases and lawn problems. First of all, rake up the leaves. Those left on the turf may lead to the grass rotting. However, it is worth keeping some of them because they will serve as a natural cover for perennials or go into compost.
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Remove spent annuals from flower beds, and in the case of perennials, be careful. Species such as coneflowers and rudbeckias can be left for the winter. Their seeds will become food for birds, and the stems will become shelter for insects. Also remember to clean the beds of vegetable remains. It is best to burn the infected parts to prevent them from spreading diseases to the next season.
As temperatures start to drop, it’s worth thinking about protecting more sensitive species. Cut the roses to a height of 30-40 cm and make mounds of soil or peat around the trunks.. Cover funkias, daylilies and other delicate perennials with a layer of leaves or bark. Wrap young trees with a net or spiralto protect them from rodents. Cover sensitive shrubs, such as hydrangeas or miniature roses, with agrotextile or jute. Don’t forget to water your evergreen plants. Well-watered box trees, rhododendrons and hollies will survive frosts better.
November is the last call to plant tulip, narcissus and crocus bulbs. If the ground is not frozen yet, you can still enjoy spring flowers. Plant the bulbs at a depth three times their height, leaving a spacing of about 10-15 cm. This is also the perfect time to plant leafless trees and shrubs. After planting, water them thoroughly and protect the base with a layer of mulch. Additionally, you can prepare the soil for next year’s crops. Dig the beds and leave the soil in the so-called sharp furrow so that the frost improves its structure.
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In the orchard, remove thoroughly fallen, rotten fruit and rake the leaves from under the trees. They can be a habitat of diseases and pests. Clean the trunks of dead bark and secure older trees with adhesive bands that will stop wintering insects in the cracks. If the weather is favorable, spray copper on stone fruit trees to prevent fungal diseases. You can also plant winter garlic, winter spinach or lettuce under cover in the vegetable garden. Plant the garlic cloves at a depth of 3-5 cmmaintaining appropriate spacing between plants.
Before winter remove all leaves from the lawnand if the turf is compact, do it scarification. This will give the grass roots better access to air and water. After the treatment, you can pour a thin layer of sand, which will improve drainage and level the surface. If moss appears on the grass, apply calcium fertilizer to neutralize the acidic reaction of the soil. However, avoid nitrogen fertilizers, which stimulate growth and increase the risk of the grass freezing during frosts.
November is also a good time to prepare gardening equipment for the winter break. Clean the tools thoroughly, disinfect and lubricate them with oil. Empty the mower of fuel, clean the filter and spark plug. Sharpen secateurs and saws and protect wooden handles with linseed oil. Don’t forget about the irrigation system – before the first frost, remove water from it and store the sprinklers in a dry place. This will help you avoid costly repairs in the spring.
