Gardening tasks for November

• Pull dead annuals and, if not diseased, add to the compost pile.
• Cut (do not pull) flower heads and dry foliage from perennials.
• Drain hoses, turn off irrigation systems and cover faucets if a freeze is predicted.
• Cover winter squash. A slight frost will improve the flavor by converting starch to sugar.
• Plant garlic, kale, turnips, pansies, flowering kale and cabbage and snapdragons.
• Plant dormant trees.
• Dry herbs for Holiday greenery. Use Artemisia, Rosemary, Thyme, Elaeagnus, English Ivy and Nandina.
• Take cuttings of herbs for new plants.
• Sow rows of poppies, bachelor’s button, larkspur and sweet pea for Spring color.
• Plant spring bulbs and Spring and Summer blooming perennials like daisies, daylilies and iris.
• Cut mums back to 2-3” after blooms fade.
• Test your soil.
• Cut back tender herbs like lemon grass and freeze.
• Move pot plants inside. Be sure to look closely for insects.
• Add mulch to all beds.
• Water and turn compost piles. Add those leaves!
• Pick tomatoes before a freeze. Let ripen indoors.
• Put out bird feeders and keep filled.
• Water all plants.
• Mulch strawberry plants 2-4” to protect from freeze.
• Order seeds for planting next Spring.
• Cut your Tropical Milkweed all the way to the ground – BEFORE Thanksgiving.