Time for November garden chores, planting for cooler weather Posted On: Saturday, Nov. 7 2009 05:40 AM By Mary Lew Quesinberry
Special to the Daily Herald

Now is the time to plant cool season annuals such as calendula, dianthus, Johnny-jump-up, ornamental kale or cabbage, pansies, petunias, snapdragons, stock and sweet alyssum. These cool season plants do best when planted in soil enriched with composted manure or other composted matter; fertilize them with a high nitrogen, slow release fertilizer, mulch and keep watered during dry periods.

Clean your houseplants that have summered outside and check them for critters and insects before moving back into the house or garage.

Use your lawn blower to force fallen leaves onto your lawn and then mulch them with your lawnmower. This is a wonderful source of nutrients for your lawn and it protects landfills.

Add an Oak Wilt resistant tree to your landscape as a specimen plant or plant several as a screen. Desirable oak trees for Central Texas are Chinquapin (Quercus muehlenbergii), Bur (Quercus macrocarpa), Lacy (Quercus laceyi) and Monterrey/Mexican (Quercus polymorpha).

If you didn't sow your Blue Bonnet seeds last summer, buy transplants and set them out now.

Chill your spring flowering bulbs for six weeks in the refrigerator, but remember to keep them away from fruits since fruit-produced ethylene gas can prevent blooming.

Daffodil, crocus, tulip and hyacinth can be planted in late December to early January. Some suppliers sell pre-chilled bulbs. Always buy No. 1-size bulbs.

Apply mulch where needed to protect your plants against weather extremes, weeds and to reduce moisture loss.

Wait until January/February to cut back your frost damaged perennials.

Continue to provide water to your lawn, shrubs and flowerbeds. They will require at least 1-inch per month during the cold months. Plants in dry, stressed conditions are more likely to die from freezing weather. New additions to your landscape should be kept moist for the first year to help them get established.

Have any questions about gardening in Central Texas?

E-mail ask.bcmga@gmail.com.