By Jackie Sledge
Past President, Big Country Master Gardener Association
Our weather this week is reinforcing Mark Twain’s statement that “if you don’t like the weather, just wait a few minutes.” In our case, we will be on a roller coaster ride of temperature changes this week with days of warm weather followed by cold, rainy, windy days with lows in the 20s and then back to warmer temperatures. Unfortunately, some of us (or maybe just me) have held off doing those yard chores to get our landscapes prepared for winter and in good shape for next spring. I had set pots of newly purchased plants in flower beds so I could get them planted this week, but instead I spent time moving all of them to the back porch to protect them from the freezing temperatures. I implemented my emergency plan of crowding about 60 pots into a tight area and covering them with a large tarp held in place with bricks to keep them alive until the warmer weather gets here by the end of the week. I will get everything planted then. I promise. I hope. I will also tackle the tasks to prepare for winter as well as for next spring.
I am prioritizing the plans on my “to do” list and rely on the task lists from Lone Star Gardening by Neil Sperry and Texas Garden Almanac by Doug Welsh to keep me on track with what I need to do each month. Here are some of their recommendations for this month.
Planting Tasks:
- Plant winter annuals such as pansies, violas, snapdragons, and ornamental cabbage and kale. These provide fall and winter landscape color.
- Divide perennials and replant them early in the month. Put them in well-prepared garden soil, and water immediately. You can also use a water-soluble fertilizer to get them off to a quick start.
- Plant trees and shrubs. Water by hand after planting plus water every week when the weather is dry.
- Plant bulbs such as daffodils and grape hyacinths. Tulips and Dutch hyacinths need to be chilled for at least 45 days and then planted in December. Be sure to check instructions for the bulbs you are going to add to your landscape to be sure you plant them at the right time and plant them correctly.
- Plant a container herb garden for indoors. Include herb transplants such as basil, chives, green onions, mint, parsley, sage, and thyme.
- Remember that fall is the best time of the year to plant so take advantage of the cooler weather to plant trees, shrubs, perennials, and bulbs in your landscape.
Pruning Tasks:
- Prune damaged or dead branches from trees to prevent limb loss from winter winds or ice storms. Do this before the trees lose all their leaves so you can easily identify the damaged or dead limbs.
- Remove mistletoe as soon as it is visible. Cut off the a section or the entire limb to get rid of the roots.
- Prune perennials by removing dead leaves and stems. Trim near the ground after the first freeze, and mulch to reduce weeds.
- Prune annuals after the first freeze to remove stubble. Mulch to control weeds around the annuals.
- Mow grass until the first frost stops growth.
- Prune patio pots and hanging baskets before moving them indoors.
What to Feed:
- Feed fescue and ryegrass early in the month, and water deeply after applying fertilizer.
- Feed annual winter color plants.
- Feed the compost pile. Turn the pile to keep it aerated and working actively.
Troubleshooting Tips:
- Apply a broadleaf weedkiller spray to eliminate broadleaf weeds such as henbit, dandelions, and clover.
- Bring tender plants indoors.
- Cover vegetables that can be damaged by frost with frost cloth when a freeze is forecasted.
- Water lawns, landscape plants, vegetable gardens, and fruit trees if the ground is dry and a freeze is predicted.
- Disconnect hoses from faucets and cover the faucets before freezing temperatures occur.
- Turn off the irrigation system for the winter. If there is no rain, turn on the system about once every 3 to 4 weeks to water thoroughly during the dry fall and winter months.
Miscellaneous Tips:
- Send soil in for testing now before the rush in late winter and early spring.
- Mulch perennials, shrubs, and trees to prevent damage from freezing, moderate soil temperature, and retain moisture levels.
- Select ornamental plants that have variations in foliage texture to add to your beds. It is surprising how texture can make a dramatic difference in the landscape.
Be sure to have fresh water plus food available for the butterflies and birds.
If you have any questions, call the Taylor County Extension Office at 325-672-6048 or email us at mgardeners@yahoo.com. We hope you visit bcmgtx.org for all Big Country Master Gardener information and events, like us on BCMGA Facebook, and check out training presentations on BCMGA YouTube. We are here to help you.
