Now that November is almost here you’ll never have to worry about your plants being baked to death by the powerful summer sun; however, by no means is it a time when you should stop watering certain bushes and shrubs. While the late spring and early summer months are when we see the most growth from these plants, September, October, November and even early December are the times when a plant’s root system grows most rapidly. If you live in an area where rain is abundant during the autumn months, you might not have to worry about watering your plants; however, if you live in a place like Staten Island, where rain is not always consistent, it might be necessary to water the soil around your shrubs, especially the smaller more vulnerable ones. This is not only important because of root growth, but also because winter is a time to store energy and rejuvenate.
Moving from roots to branches, the threat of sun scorched leaves is also gone; however, winter’s version of detriment comes in the form of windburn. In order to avoid this vicious tendency of winter, it’s best to spray shrubs and evergreens with a windburn resistant product such as Wiltproof. By doing this you will protect your plants and ensure they have shiny, healthy green leaves and a limited amount of dead branches in the spring.
After making sure your shrubs and bushes are hydrated and prepared for the long winter ahead, it’s also a good idea to reinforce the soil in certain areas of the yard which might be prone to erosion. While this time of year is great for leaf cleanup and also cutting back ivy, these tasks make areas much more prone to erosion due to autumn’s bare surfaced soil. If possible, it’s best to incorporate stone in areas where erosion is likely to occur. Also, because this season is excellent for harvesting sod, filling in empty spaces and preventing soil runoff by laying sod is also an ideal measure.
Sometimes all of this cleanup and winter preparation can make the gardener at heart a little depressed. While late autumn isn’t the favorite season of most gardeners, there are a few ways to keep your thumb green by planting during this time of year. As always, November and December are the best months to plant bulbs. Planting tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, lilies and other springtime favorites during this time of year will be sure to pay off at the end of February with crocuses and daffodils. For those who are thinking further ahead than spring, many perennials at local nurseries are on heavy markdown during this time of year. As the days grow shorter, don’t be afraid to splurge on some good deals at your favorite nursery or garden center, and don’t bother cutting the perennials back until late February or early March. If spring and summer seems like too long to wait, there is always the option of implementing winter foliage such as the kale plant. While it won’t flower away all winter long, it’s crisp purple, white and sage colored leaves will add a hint of subtle flair to your greenspace throughout the winter months.
Just as winter allows time for plants to rejuvenate, it should also provide time for you as well! For other ideas or suggestions on how you can best prepare your yard for next spring, feel free to give us a call or contact us!