For Paul Verlaine, autumn is a “monotonous languor”a sweet melancholy. While, for gardeners, it is a season of intense preparationwhere every gesture counts. Indeed, November sets in, with its promises of cold, and the plants are getting ready to face winter.
November in the garden: create a winter cocoon for your plants
Summer has left behind its last flowers and the crops are now warm, carefully stored. Autumn is here and with this new season, another rhythm sets in in the garden. November arrives, bringing cooler temperatures and the need to prepare each corner greenery for the winter.
Now is the time to think about the needs of plants and their guarantee a cozy nest to get through the cold season. The ground is still quite soft, ready to welcome this protective layer. Meanwhile, nature begins gradually pausedwaiting for the return of sunny days. Taking care of the garden now means anticipating a flourishing springas the site suggests Life Hacker.
Don't neglect these November tasks… or say goodbye to your garden
Indeed, in Novemberthe garden demands your attention. Take advantage of fall to plant trees, shrubs and perennials. The soil, softened by recent rains, is ideal for these plantations before the first frosts. After planting, think to mulch the groundavoiding accumulating material around the trunks. In addition, it is also the time to remove the dahlia and begonia tubers if you want to protect them from the cold.
Clean them and store them in a cool place for the winter. Furthermore, to brighten up the exterior, don't forget your planters of annual and resistant plants such as pansies and ornamental cabbage. As for cleaning, eliminate dry plants, compost them and add mulch for the winter. Finally, prune your fruit trees in dry weather to avoid diseases and to guide their growth, removing crossed branches.
Before winter: treat, protect and pause the garden
However, this month of November is the perfect time to treat plants against fungi and parasites. We call this the “dormant spray”because it is done during the winter rest of the plants. She helps to prevent infections without stimulating new growth vulnerable to cold.
For example, for stone fruit trees with deformed leaves, a spray of copper fungicide may be useful. Consult your nursery for suitable advice. Also remember to prepare your irrigation system for the winter. Drain and put away hoses, cover faucets and store garden tools. Finally, let the lawn rest: no more mowing or watering or fertilization. She too goes dormant!
