by Linda Heideman, Somervell County Master Gardener
Ah! November! The weather is cool, flowers are blooming in season, the leaves on the trees are starting to turn. It is truly fall! Winter and Thanksgiving are on the way. Time to get ready, but don’t forget there’s plenty to do in the garden!
1st week: Finish dividing spring-blooming perennials. Plant pansies (my favorite), ornamental cabbages, kale, snapdragons and dianthus. Prepare to protect tender plants – average first freeze is November 21. 
2nd week: Cut back fall-blooming perennials as they finish blooming, and finish mulching all beds. Fallen leaves can be used in mulching your beds and/or added to your compost pile.
3rd week: After a killing freeze, cut back freeze-damaged perennials such as chrysanthemums, lantana and cannas.
4th week: After a hard freeze transplant established trees and shrubs. Mulch and water them well. Hardy, ornamental grasses can be cut back and divided after a hard freeze.