Priscilla’s Garden To-Do List for November

Finish transplanting and dividing work by the first week of the month
Cut back peony and hosta, plants that don’t “die well” and may transmit fungal diseases
Leave perennial seed heads if you enjoy bird activity during winter – otherwise cut back now
Leave hydrangea, tree peony, foxglove, hellebore, ornamental grasses, tall sedums, roses, perennial herbs, and cutback shrubs (butterfly bush, smoke tree, beautyberry, St. Johnswort)
Aim to leave a 1”-2” layer of leaves on garden beds as winter protection, then remove in spring
Remove leaves from driveways, walkways and lawns now
Fully clean up vegetable gardens to prevent transmittal of fungal diseases and remove potential overwintering spots for insect pests
Sow cover crop of winter rye in empty vegetable gardens or mulch with sterilized straw to protect and enrich soil over winter
Mulch blown away from newly planted trees, shrubs and perennials should be replaced with a winter mulch layer for complete protection from temperature fluctuations
Plant bulbs now until the ground freezes
Dormant prune deciduous shrubs and trees once leaves have fallen, now through April, especially Japanese maples, fruit trees and any overgrown material
Remove upright suckers from double file viburnums
Prune grapevines and blueberries
Fall soil amending can be done until the ground freezes, including vegetable gardens, following soil test recommendations