November 2012 Garden Planner

November weather can be unpredictable; warm and sunny one week, cold and rain the next. Atlanta’s first frost is usually in mid-November, so enjoy the last of the warm-season annuals early in the month! November’s cooler weather makes this the best time of year to plant shrubs, trees and many perennials.
 

Garden Maintenance

➤    Fertilize fescue lawns for a second time (and again in February and April). Warm-season grasses won’t require fertilizer until spring.
➤    Control winter weeds in turf (chickweed, violets, wild onions) by hand pulling or spot spraying.
➤    Watch the weather report; if rain isn’t in the forecast, regularly water newly planted trees, shrubs, lawn areas and planting beds. Make sure to turn off and winterize your irrigation system this month, too.
➤    Perennials can be cut to 4-5 inches, but leave ornamental grasses to provide winter interest until spring.
➤    Hate to add bags of yard waste to the landfill? Make your own compost. Use grass clippings, fall leaves and kitchen waste to create your own nutrient-rich soil amendments. Your county extension agent has plenty of information to get you started.
➤    Remove the leaves and debris that fall from perennials and deciduous shrubs and trees so that insects and disease can’t overwinter. Replace with fresh mulch.
➤    Once nighttime temperatures hit 50º or below, it’s time to bring houseplants inside for the winter. Locate them in areas that receive as much sunlight as possible and don’t over-water.
➤    Clean, sharpen and oil your gardening tools! Before storing for the winter, drain gasoline from your lawn mower and make sure all parts are spic and span. You’ll be happy you did it now when springtime rolls around.
 

What To Plant

➤    Now’s the time to plant colorful, cool-weather annuals and biennials. Plant violas, pansies, dianthus, snapdragons and ornamental kale for color throughout the winter months—fertilize and water regularly. Parsley, rosemary and other edible plants look great mixed in with annual flowers.
➤    Once cool weather arrives, it’s the best time to plant spring-blooming bulbs such as daffodil, crocus, hyacinth and tulips. Add fertilizer as you dig the planting beds. Consider adding bulbs to containers and beds of winter annuals, too.
➤    Are you satisfied with your landscape all year long? If not, add four-season interest to the garden by planting trees and shrubs that perform month after month. For interest year-round, consider these 2012 Georgia Gold Medal winners: shrub: Rabbiteye Blueberry (Vaccinium virgatum (ashei)); tree: Coral Bark Maple (Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’); native plant: Athens Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus ‘Athens’). Look for more winners at www.georgiagoldmedalplants.com.
➤    Roses can be planted in early November. Be sure to water them at planting and throughout the winter, but wait until March to fertilize.

Mary Kay Woodworth is executive director of the Georgia Urban Agriculture Council (UAC). She previously ran Practically Gardening, a landscape consulting firm, and was Master Gardener coordinator for the DeKalb County Cooperative Extension Service. Mary Kay is a frequent speaker at area schools, garden clubs, civic organizations and trade shows. 
info@urbanagcouncil.com