November 23, 2019

Shrubs:
Check the Ph on evergreens and shrubs that like a high Ph ( Arborvitae, Yew, Boxwood, Lilac, Privet, Ligustrum, and Peony ) use an electronic Ph tester to test the ph. If the Ph needs to be increased, use Bonide Hydrated Lime.
Remember that Fall is the best time for planting. Visit your garden center. There is a good selection of plants and they are priced to move. When planting these new plants water them in with Kick Start to help establish a quick root system. Don’t forget to feed your deciduous trees and shrubs with Plant Trust now.

Plants
Banana plants that have been damaged by night frost can be cut back then dug up and potted so that they can be taken indoors for the winter. Keep the banana plants soil on the dry side while indoors and feed with seamate when watering once a month.
If you have Musa Basjoo Banana plants it is safe to keep them planted out side in zone 6 and up. Mulch them with 4 inches of hardwood mulch. And they will come back next spring if they are planted in full sun.
Frozen foliage from, Caladium, Canna lilies, Elephant ear, Dahlias, and Tuberose should be cut away and tubers will be dug up and air dried. Store the Caladium and Elephant ear tubers in a warm dry indoor place. Dahlia , Tuberose, and Canna lilies are stored in a much cooler but frost free place (40-50 degrees).
Cover the tubers with dry sphagnum peat moss or vermiculite.


Perennials:
If your perennials are over crowded now is the time to divide them after cutting them back for the season. Extra plants can be given away or planted in a new bed. After transplanting them be sure to use Gallery broadleaf weed preventer, before you mulch the area with Sweet Peet to prevent weeds ( Chickweed , Henbit, and Shepard’s purge )  And always remember to feed your perennials now with Garden Trust. Delphinium and Foxglove seed stalks can be cut into smaller pieces and can be spread onto a new growing area ( Cover them lightly with compost). Next spring this should produce many new Delphinium and Foxglove plants.

Flowers:
Make sure you have Tulips, Daffodils , and Crocus handy after the first frost, it will be time to replace the summer flowers with these bulbs. If you want instant color you can plant Violas / Pansies over top of the newly planted Dutch flower bulbs, but make sure the bulbs are planted deep enough (3-5 inches)  After planting the Violas / Pansies apply Garden Trust, It will last long enough to feed the plants from fall and throughout Spring. Plant Fritillaria bulbs to repel moles and mice in your bulb beds. Be sure to use Bonide Mouse magic now to keep mice out of your garage , camper, boat, and sheds.

Lawns:
Lawns that have not been fed with Turf Trust, feed as soon as possible. Grass that has not been fed will have a higher chance of being overtaken by weeds. Do not use any starter or winterizers with high Phosphate numbers ( middle number) Young grass that was planted this fall and has been mowed at least twice can be sprayed with Speedzone to kill any broadleaf weeds that are growing in them (spray when day temps are 55 or above for three days). To prevent there return you can apply Gallery at the same time. Leaves continue to drop onto the lawns, keep up with them and remove them as needed by blowing or raking them use a leaf loader for easy leaf removal. Apply Kick Start now to newly seeded lawns.
Lawns that are in warmer states should still be mowed as needed.

House Plants:
House plants that are susceptible to mites (Ivy, Prayer Plant, Croton , and Schefflera ) Treat them with Summit year-round spray oil for houseplants now, before they show signs of an infestation.

Poinsettias :

Look for Poinsettia plants at your local garden centers. Choose plants that are being kept in a green house at proper temperature.Do not buy Poinsettias that are in sleeves, They will drop leaves soon. Keep Poinsettias in a bright place out of drafty areas like vents. Keep them slightly moist and when you water them feed them with seamate.

Stone Patios , Decks, Roofs, and Siding not treated with Wet & Forget, do it now to remove mold, mildew, Lichen , and moss. Winter weather will assist with the cleaning of those areas.

Monarch Butterflies:
Due to the declining populations of Monarch Butterflies you can now help them by planting milk weed plants and or seeds. For milkweed plugs go to Monarchwatch.org.
Seeds are also available for homeowners that would like to have small projects to help Monarchs. Common milkweed and swamp milkweed can be grown in most U. S states. Showy milkweed can be grown in the Western states and central states. Whorled milkweed is not recommended for people that have pets.

Indoor Plants
Gardenia , Jasmine , and potted citrus plants. Make sure to add 1 tablespoons of vinegar in a quart of water and water them. Do this once a month. And feed with seamate with every watering.

Insects
Control ants, fleas, ticks, and stink bugs indoors with summit Permicide P-1 ( Called bed bug killer)

Flowers
Continue planting Tulips, Daffodils , Hyacinthus and other minor spring bulbs, after annual flowers have frozen. If you have no garden space plant a few paper white narcissus. Use 3-5 bulbs per pot. Keep the newly potted paper whites cool (35-45 degrees) for 3-4 days. After the cooling, place them in a warm and well lit place indoors, your paper whites will bloom within 14 days with a good root system.