Continue the garden clean-up in preparation for winter:

Rake and compost leaves, finish pulling spent annuals and cutting back perennials. Cut back the foliage on iris to prevent borer damage next year.

Mums can be cut back after they have finished blooming.

Mulch helps both new and established plantings through the winter months. Apply a 3’’ layer, keeping it away from the trunk or base of the plant. The bark needs to harden and the mice will be discouraged from burrowing at the base of your plants. An acid mulch such as pine needles or shredded oak leaves may be used on broadleaf evergreens(azaleas, rhododendrons, hollies).

Asparagus can be cut back and compost or aged manure added to the bed.

Tilling the vegetable garden now will bring grubs and other insects to the soil surface for the birds to eat or cold temperatures to kill.

Amend the soil with compost. Come spring-time the garden will be ready for planting.

Fruit trees should be protected with tree guards to prevent mice nibbling the bark. A simple set-up can be made from hardware cloth around the trunk at the base of the tree. All fallen leaves and fruits should be removed to prevent spread of diseases next year. A dormant oil spray can be applied on a mild day (above 40§).

Rose care: Let blooms form rose hips (seeds) signaling the plant to shut down for the winter. Clean up all fallen leaves and debris to prevent spread of fungal diseases next year. Trim only the extra long canes that may be damaged by winter winds. Pruning will be done in late March.

Mulch blueberries and bramble fruits to discourage weeds. Broadleaf evergreens such as azaleas and rhododendrons can be protected from the winter’s drying winds by applying an anti-desiccant. The temperature should be above 40§ when it is applied. Barriers can also be used as a wind block. Set the stakes in the ground now before the ground freezes. Burlap can be attached later.

Lawn should be fertilized once more before Thanksgiving.

Drain the hoses and water lines.

Clean the garden tools thoroughly and oil them before putting them away for the season.

Store all liquid pesticides where they will not freeze.

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