Things to Do…
Watering your plants
If you’re watering your houseplants with chlorinated water, allow the chlorine to outgas from the water by filling watering cans or bottles 24-48 hours before using. To avoid confusion as to what was watered when, mark a calendar that is kept with houseplant supplies.
Garden
- Plant tulips now, but start daffodils in December. Tulips like moderate planting weather, and daffodils, cool to cold. Plant bulbs pointing up. Sometimes it is difficult to determine corm roots. If in doubt, plant on them on their side. Mark planting site using plastic knives or spoons to prevent planting on top of them.
- Continue to treat broadleaf weeds. Protect good plants by placing carboard between spray and good plants. Let the spray settle before moving to the next plant. Sprays can be used during temperatures to 40 degrees and at least three days before a rain.
- When mum flowers fade, plant in ground and cut back nearly to the ground.
- Check attachments of climbing rose cane and retie as needed. Tie with strips of nylon stocking as they are soft and stretch.
Trees
- Order live and/or cut Christmas trees for delivery no sooner than mid-December. Select the location for the live tree and prepare its site. Contact in advance your city, park or school to donate your live tree.
- Continue to plant new trees. Stake (two on per tree) through one season to let it settle in and build a strong root system.
Vegetables
- Remove spent plants and continue to harvest producing ones.
- Pull up tomato plants, and in an unheated place, wrap individual fruits in paper to ripen.
- Wash, dry, and apply liquid wax to pumpkins to extend their useful life.
- Dig root vegetables to store for the winter, except parsnips which sweeten the longer they stay in the ground.
