Plants in Flower
- Witch Hazel, Sasanqua Camellia and Japonica Camellia.
Plants with Colorful Berries
- American Beautyberry, Burford Holly, Deciduous Holly, Foster Holly, Nellie R. Stevens Holly, Nandina, Pyracantha, Washington Hawthorn, and Dogwood
What to Fertilize
- Use wood ashes around the vegetable garden, bulb beds, and around non-acid loving plants if soil pH is below 6.0.
- A fee will be charged for soil samples during the months of December through March. Don't delay, collect and mail your soil samples in November to avoid the $4 per sample charge.
What to Plant
- Trees and shrubs can be transplanted in the autumn.
- Plant one year old asparagus crowns in the vegetable garden this month.
- Plant spring-flowering bulbs like daffodil, tulip, crocus and hyacinth.
What to Prune
- Time to trim existing asparagus foliage. Cut to the ground after the foliage is killed by frost.
- Cut back and clean up frost-killed perennials.
- When cutting holiday greenery, use sharp pruners to make cuts above a bud or side branch.
Pest Outlook
- None
Lawn Care
- Mow your Kentucky bluegrass or tall fescue lawn as needed.
- Keep tree leaves from collecting on your lawn.
Propagation
- Water cuttings inside your coldframe or propagation bed as needed.
- You may want to try your hand at air layering on some of your house plants such as dieffenbachia or dumb cane.
Specific Chores
- If your soil test results from September or October have been received, apply the recommended lime to the areas in need of liming. Wait until spring to fertilize.
- Check with the local Extension office for the recommended fruit varieties for the area.
- Order fruit trees and grape vines this month for a February or March delivery and planting.
- Remember to water your evergreen trees and shrubs thoroughly before winter set in, particularly if weather conditions have been dry.
- Look to see if screens or windbreaks are needed around your home.
- Continue filling the compost bin with the fallen leaves.
- Look for yuletide plants as gifts. Remember, some plants like poinsettias should be placed in the sunniest room in the house.
- Consider giving your family gardener a holiday gift to use in the garden.
