Be sure to stop by Betty's if you have any questions or need advice.

LAWNS

Fertilize. A November application of lawn fertilizer promotes good root development. Fertilize at 1.5 times the normal rate.

Seed. For established lawns, November is still a good time to overseed.

Weeds. If you haven't done so already you can still put down Gallery (Portrait) to prevent germination of winter weeds. Apply right over the top of plant beds. NOTE: You cannot weed kill and seed at the same time!

Lime. Lime can be applied to the lawn at any time of the year. If you haven't already done so, apply lime now so snow and rain can soak it into the soil.

Maintenance. Lawns should be mowed at a height of 2.5-2.75” going into the winter. Bag all grass clippings and add to the compost pile. Keep leaves raked off the lawn to allow for optimum light and air circulation. Add the leaves to the compost

Mower Maintenance. Winterize the lawn mower. Clean the blades; check spark plugs and tires.

INDOOR PLANTS

Houseplant growth rate slows during winter months. Reduce fertilizer until March or April.

Raise the humidity around your plants by setting them on shallow tray of pebbles covered with water.

Now that the leaves have fallen, are you in need of some privacy? Good screening plants are Leyland cypress, hollies, pines, spruce and hemlocks.

In bloom at Betty's now are Sasanqua Camellias. Hollies and Viburnum have beautiful berries.

This is an ideal time to plant bigger trees, those that have 2” caliper trunks or larger. Betty's can install with one year warranty.

To prevent freezing winds from drying broadleaf evergreens, spray with Wilt-Pruf before Thanksgiving.

Water dogwoods, broadleaf evergreens and newly planted trees thoroughly before the ground freezes.

Leave hardy water lilies and fish in pools 18” or deeper. Check on pond heaters at Betty's to prevent water from freezing solid. Remove dying plant foliage and falling leaves from ponds.

If you haven't done so already, winterize your garden by cleaning up garden beds removing any dead plant material, prune dead or broken branches, cover with 3” of mulch and fasten any loose vines. Add all disease-free organic debris, grass clippings and fallen leaves to the compost pile.

Prune hybrid tea roses back to 24” above the soil. Make sure they are well mulched.

Prevent sunscald on young trees by wrapping with tree wrap or by spraying Lime sulphur spray on trunks.

It is not too late to plant tulips, Dutch iris, and hyacinths. Choose Early, Mid and Late season varieties to stretch out the bloom period. Be sure to add 1 tablespoon of Bulb Booster fertilizer to give your plants a good set of roots for next year.

THE PERENNIAL GARDEN

If you have not lifted summer bulbs, such as Dahlias, do so this month without fail.

Fall is the best time to plant or divide perennials for optimum root growth.

After blooms have faded on chrysanthemums, cut back to 4” from the ground and cover with mulch.

Cut back perennials after frost has killed foliage. Feeding lightly can enhance root growth.

Do not cut back ornamental grasses as the curling foliage and plumes add unusual winter interest to the landscape.

VEGETABLE GARDENING

Pot up tender herbs like marjoram, lemon verbena, rosemary, and scented geranium. Bring indoors.

Harvest the last root vegetables and salad greens. Clean the bed and mulch.

Prevent the spread of disease in your garden by cleaning up all diseased plants and disposing of them in your trash bin.

Now is an excellent time to spread compost on the garden and then spade, or till, the garden soil so that it is ready for planting in the spring.

Consider sowing a winter cover crop of clover or winter rye to add nutrients back into the soil and to prevent soil run-off.

OTHER NOVEMBER TO-DO'S

Continue to force paperwhite narcissus and other bulbs early this month for blooms during the holidays.

Betty's has the best pumpkins, gourds and corn stalks available. We also carry a large selection of Mums, Pansies, Ornamental Cabbages and Ornamental Corn.

Plastic hoses will crack if water freezes inside them. Drain completely and store in garage or basement.

Store terra cotta or concrete pots upside down and cover with a tarp to prevent cracking.

Keep feeding the birds! Betty's has a variety of birdseed, suet cakes and other popular bird supplies such as feeders, squirrel baffles, and houses. Betty's has the best prices on bird seed and bird houses.