Let’s Get Gardening: November 2020

Let’s Get Gardening!

November is definitely a time for crazy weather in Michigan, and yesterday was no exception! This week will prove that we never can really know what to expect in the way of weather in Southeast Michigan. We will go from snow squalls yesterday and lows overnight last night in the 20’s to highs in the upper 60’s by the end of the week. Don’t get used to those temps, though. It’s going to feel a lot more like November by the middle of next week. And although there is no snow in the forecast for the next two weeks, it won’t be long before we see that white stuff flying around here for real, and sticking around – apparently, the weather forecasters are saying we should expect a much snowier winter than last year, due to the effects of La Niña. They are not calling for significantly colder temperatures this year – yay! – but definitely more precipitation. Having said that, the heavier precipitation isn’t expected to show up for a little while yet. The remainder of the fall is still expected to be drier than normal. So be prepared to keep watering your perennials, trees, and shrubs for a while longer.

Jennifer

In this month’s issue of Let’s Get Gardening

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In this month’s issue:

Take advantage of the lovely weather that is coming up later this week, and over the weekend – we won’t see temps like this again for some time! I’ll be planting my garlic and flower bulbs this weekend – it’s the perfect time to plant both. Usually, I’m doing this in freezing cold weather, so I’m looking forward to a little nicer conditions this year.

Vegetable Garden:

• It’s time to clean out the garden, sad as that may be. Kale, cabbage, and other brassicas can be left in the garden for a little bit yet – they can take a little frost and still produce. Everything else is pretty much done after the freezing temperatures we had for a couple of nights.
• Pull weeds to reduce their numbers in the garden next spring. Doing a light tilling to expose weed seeds and insects to hungry birds will also cut down on them (the weeds and insects, not the birds!) in the spring.
• Consider sowing a cover crop, such as annual ryegrass, to help prevent erosion and to add organic matter and nutrients back into the soil in the spring. Alternatively, add compost to the garden to help improve the soil and add nutrients.
• Plant spinach now for an early crop in the spring.
• Give any perennial plants that you are leaving in your garden over the winter, such as thyme and sage, a good layer of mulch.
• Consider doing a soil test now so that you are ready to make any necessary adjustments to the soil in early spring.
• Plant garlic! We still have some at the store, so come get yours this week and plant it while the weather cooperates. If you’ve never grown garlic, you should! It’s easy, and you get so much for the little effort it takes.

Flower Beds:

• Plant Spring-blooming bulbs like daffodils, tulips, crocus, alliums, hyacinths, and more now for a beautiful show next spring! We have lots of gorgeous bulbs available at the store, and now is the time to get them planted! Check out our selection online.
• Annuals that were still hanging on are probably finished for the season after the low overnight temps recently, so pull them out and compost them. Pull weeds out of your beds to give you a head-start on spring.
• You can cut back perennials and ornamental grasses once they have gone dormant, or leave them until spring. I prefer to leave mine up, partly because standing grasses and flowers can catch drifting snow and leaves and hold them in place.
• Around the end of the month, once the soil is pretty well frozen, add mulch to your flower beds.
• Keep watering your plants, whenever we are not getting at least an inch of rain per week, until the ground freezes.

Trees:

• As I mentioned above, this fall is much drier than normal. On top of the terribly dry summer we had, that’s hard on trees and shrubs, and winter won’t be any easier. So keep watering trees and shrubs until the ground freezes.
• Just like in your flower gardens, put down a good layer of mulch around your trees and shrubs to help them get through winter.
• Protect evergreen shrubs and small evergreen trees from the harsh winter winds that fry them out with a barrier built with burlap or other heavy-duty fabric.

Lawn and Leaves:

• We should pretty much be finished with mowing now, since we did get some pretty hard frosts recently. But, if you are doing any more mowing, be sure to lower the cutting height so that your grass isn’t too tall going into winter.
• Mow up your leaves and mulch them into your lawn, or rake them into your flower beds – they make a great natural mulch.

Tools:

• Clean, dry, sharpen, and lubricate your garden tools, including shovels, before you put them away so they’ll be ready for all the hard work you expect them to perform in the spring.
• When you are done watering your trees, shrubs, and flower beds for the season, empty your hoses, roll them up, and tie them before hanging them up for the winter. I have found that using a round trash can or rain barrel to wind the hose around makes it much easier to get them rolled up.

Birds:

• You can tell that winter is on its way by the “changing of the guard” around your bird feeders at this time of year. Gone are the red winged blackbirds, orioles, and hummingbirds, and in their place are dark-eyed juncos and white-throated sparrows.
• Leave your birdbaths out as long as possible to provide your birds with a source of fresh water. You can help birds get through winter better by putting a de-icer into your birdbath, or buying a heated birdbath to keep the water from freezing when the temperatures do start falling. Yes – we have both available at the store!

Happy Gardening!

Store News & Specials

$10 off $50 purchase coupon

This year’s event will be a little different – 9 days instead of just 1 – so that you can avoid crowds and stay safe, while still getting your holiday shopping fix, and supporting local businesses.

At The Garden Mill, we’ll have specials, discounts, and give-aways throughout the event.
We’ll offer one day of by-appointment-only shopping, on Monday, November 16th, for people who want to have the store all to themselves. Sign up here.

For the night-owls, we’ll offer late-night shopping on Thursday evening, November 19th, and additional extended hours throughout the rest of the days.

And if you still aren’t comfortable coming to the store, We’ve got you covered there, too! You will be able to find most of the items that we carry in the store available on our website (with the same specials and discounts) – you can buy online and have things shipped to you, or pick up in the store or curbside.

No matter what your preference for shopping, there are lots of ways to support your favorite local businesses and enjoy this year’s Wine, Women & Shopping!