Garden thoughts from the notebooks of our professional horticulturists...

Weekly tips for your garden

November 2: Cut perennials to 4-5” above ground level.  If desired, leave some seed heads or other features to add winter interest to the garden.
November 9: Visit a garden center and select your live Holiday tree.  Dig the planting hole before the soil freezes. Store the soil in a garage or basement where it will not freeze.  Make sure you cover the hole so no one falls in!  Water the tree well before placing it in the hole, cover the root ball with soil up to where the roots flare out at the base of the trunk, and water again.

November 16: Force bulbs indoors. Pot up daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths and water them well. Store at 32-50° F for 12 to 16 weeks. Water when the soil is dry. Raise the temp. to 50-65° F for two weeks Place them in brighter light and warmer temps, keeping them well-watered. While blooming, keep them away from heat and direct sun to prolong the blooms.

November 23: Disconnect water hoses, drain, and take inside for winter storage.  Service and winterize your lawn mower.  Clay, ceramic, or plastic pots that will be stored outside during the winter should be empty of soil. Pots can crack by soil freezing and expanding. 

November 30: Protect shrubs or hedges, especially evergreens, from desiccation by placing a burlap screen near to keep salt off the plants.  A few salt-tolerant trees include: larch, spruce, honeylocust, oaks and bald cypress.  A few salt-tolerant shrubs include: serviceberry, hydrangea, bayberry, shrub roses, and arrowwood viburnum.

December 7: Buy a poinsettia that will last.  Check the little yellow flowers in the middle of the red or colored bracts.  The presence of tiny, yellow, un-opened flowers indicates they are young and healthy. The plant should also have good lower leaves, with none missing or diseased. 

December 14: Move houseplants away from exterior doors to protect them from cold blasts.  Group together potted plants to increase humidity.  At night close the shades to protect plants from extreme temperatures. 

December 21: Plan fun indoor gardening projects with your kids:  plant a windowsill herb garden or start a worm farm to turn kitchen scraps into compost.

December 28: If you potted up daffodils, tulips, or hyacinths for winter forcing, check periodically to make sure soil is moist.  When signs of growth appear, bring them into the light and place in a cool location with indirect light.  In 10-14 days, move them into bright light and watch them bur

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We encourage you to shop locally when purchasing plants and other materials for your yard.  Visit www.maumeevalleygrowers.com for a helpful listing of area growers, as well as other resources concerning the greenhouse industry.
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HORTICULTURE HOTLINE:  From crocus to compost, find answers to your gardening questions by contacting a Lucas County Master Gardener through the Ohio State University Extension office at 419-578-6783 or mghotline@ag.osu.edu.