November in the Garden

by Vera Julia Gordon


November. It is definitely autumn. We can have days in the 70s, even in the low 80s, but we can also
have “hard freezes” and even nighttime temperatures that dip into the low teens, and days below 32° Be prepared. Storms of wind and snow are possible, but a snow accumulation is rare. However, put the snow
shovel and salt where they are accessible. It may be time to switch to flannel sheets. The first spell of several days below freezing is “Squaw Winter”; then we can have days of “Indian Summer” with mild weather. Before the first predicted freeze harvest any remaining tomatoes for relish, frying or ripening. I find that putting them in a bowl, out of the sun but in light works best for me.

Get perennials and bulbs in the ground before the soil freezes – or take advantage of Indian Summer.
Once the ground has really chilled, put down mulch. Use two or three inches of compost, pine needles, or new fallen leaves. Keep mulch a few inches away from the trunks of trees or bushes so that any “critters” protected by the mulch will not nibble the bark. Once trees and bushes are dormant, usually late November or early December, you can do some pruning, but if it is a spring bloomer you may prefer to wait until after bloom because the buds are already formed. Of course, cut out any dead or damaged wood. Our trees are usually bare by Thanksgiving, except the oaks. Rake off the leaves; do not let them stay on the lawn. You may need to give the lawn a last cutting if it is still actively growing. That can be a 2 ½ inch cut. Check the upper branches of trees for broken limbs caught up in the tree. Have the “widow makers” removed professionally (or try 311 for street trees, or go to nyc.gov/parks-Ed.). If you see any signs of Asian Long Horned Beetles, report them to 1-877-STOP-ALB.

The plants you have moved indoors are adjusting to the dryness and temperature. Check them for evidence of “critters”, and keep them watered. A dilute fertilizer (1/4 rate) should suffice once a month. However, if plants are still in bloom you can give the dilute fertilizer twice a month. Otherwise water with plain water.

Garden cleanup continues. As plants wither, cut back the perennials and pull up the annuals. All this
goes to compost, unless diseased or mildewed. Cut and dry your herbs, then shuck off the leaves and store them in dark jars. Some people prefer to freeze them. Some you may continue to grow indoors. If you have planters on your steps, you may wish to replace the frost-killed plants with hardier ones or evergreen cuttings for winter interest. Or, simply move the planters to the garage.

November’s full moon is the beaver and occurs on November 21. Turn clocks back an hour as Eastern Standard Time resumes at 2 am on Sunday, November 7. Days are still getting shorter; we lose an hour of
daylight during the month. The extra daylight when getting up and out is great, but it is certainly dark when coming home with sunset even before leaving work. S.A.O. (Seasonal Affective Disorder) affects many people as the days shorten.

Venus and Saturn have become “morning stars” and are low in the southeast in the hours before sunrise all month. Mars is low in the southwest after sunset all month. Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune are high overhead at sunset and set in the west several hours before sunrise. To see Uranus and Neptune you will
need a telescope. On November 7, the very new crescent moon passes between Mars and Earth. On November 16, the moon is close to Jupiter.

Enjoy your garden’s late bounty. Cut evergreens, bittersweet branches or dry hydrangea for Thanksgiving decorations. Spray berries or dry blossoms with hard-hold hairspray so they won’t shed.

(Reprinted with Ms. Gordon's permission from the Beverley Square West Association Newsletter)