It’s time to take advantage of November’s cooler weather and shorter days by adding to gardens and preparing for winter.
Add Mulch Around Plants and Trees: Mulch will stop rain-producing mud from splashing onto plants and causing havoc in beds and gardens. When adding mulch around trees, make sure the mulch does not touch the tree trunk as it could damage bark tissue.
Add An Instant Splash of Color: Give your flower garden a quick pick-me-up by adding fall annuals such as such as pansies, violas, primrose and calendula. Buy chrysanthemums in full bloom for a month of color. Once finished blooming, cut back the plant to only a few inches above the ground. The plant will begin producing again in summer.
Winterize Your Lawn: Rake falling leaves from lawns as leaves could inhibit lawn growth. Cover any brown spots with seeds. After seeding, scatter a light covering of lawn topper mix and water thoroughly. Winter rains should produce a thicker lawn by spring.
Plant Trees: Cool fall nights, mild days and (hopefully) rainfall, give trees a good start. Select a planting location that is best suited for the tree type, size and root growth. Make sure the site gets enough sun and the tree will be easy to water with no runoff.
Add California Natives Plants: California native plants, shrubs and groundcover are excellent additions to landscapes. Once established they require little water or maintenance. They include California lilac, California Holly, Beach Aster, Hummingbird Sage, Bigberry Manzanita, Douglas Iris and Deer Grass. For a list of California native plants, go to http://www.bewaterwise.com/garden.html.
Give Succulents Their Last Watering Of the Year: Most cacti and succulents go dormant during the winter. Reduce watering in late fall. Only water when the soil is completely dry. If succulents are in containers, consider moving them under patio covers to protect from too much rain (which can cause root damage). Succulents still need lots of sunshine during the winter.
Prune Trees: Prune dense trees so winter winds can blow through. This helps eliminate the risk of a particularly strong wind toppling the tree.
For more gardening tips, go to Agromin.com – Premium Soil Products.