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Your "to do" list for October/November in the garden should be quite a mixed bag of projects, although the air temperatures start to get quite cool and will mean gardeners having to wear warm clothing, allowing them to get out and finish up any fall planting of trees, shrubs, evergreens and bulbs. This is still an ideal time for planting. The ground temperature stays quite warm right into December.
After the first heavy frost, annual plants should be pulled up composted whilst perennial plants can be cut down to three or four inches from ground level and mulched with compost or leaf mould.
If you haven't yet managed to apply a fall fertilizer, it's still not too late. First, rake the lawn to remove thatch buildup from the year's cuttings, then apply a fertilizer with a high potash number to strengthen the grass for the winter. Most studies show that fall fertilization is the most important of the year – worth getting a chilly nose for.
Before the end of November, cold weather sensitive evergreens such as holly, rhododendrons and many dwarf conifers should be protected from cold wind and sun scorch by constructing screening with stakes and burlap. Stakes can easily be hammered into the ground before it freezes and the burlap screen stapled on later.
If you need some inspiration to get outside and protect plants, for the winter, cast your mind back to December, 1992 when we experienced one of the worst winter storms in decades. Particularly damaged were the upright cedars and junipers. Many split apart from the sheer weight of ice and snow. Most of this damage can be prevented by wrapping upright evergreens with plastic netting to keep the branches tied tightly together whilst still allowing the tree to breathe. Considering the cost of replacing plants, a couple of chilly hours spent in the garden this fall protecting your plants will also be protecting your investment.
