Mulching your perennials is an important step in November landscaping.
Every month requires diligent lawn and landscape care, even when the temperatures cool and your grass stops growing. In November, there are several lawn and landscape tasks you can accomplish before the month is through to help keep your landscape maintained and ready for the depths of winter.
Prune Dormant Shade Trees
If you notice any dormant shade trees on your lawn this November that need pruning, now is the time to prune before the snow comes and weighs down or breaks the branches. Remove dead, diseased limbs, and make any cosmetic cuts at this time. Leave the branch collar, but do not leave a stub when you prune.
Watch for the Spotted Lanternfly
This November, look for the spotted lanternfly adults and egg masses and report any findings to the Maryland Department of Agriculture. The spotted lanternfly is a pest that can damage trees. Read our guide here for more information on how to spot the lanternfly.
Hydrate Your Plants
This is something that might get overlooked on your fall garden care checklist because, if it isn’t hot out, you may not think watering is important. It is. Continue watering trees and shrubs, especially evergreens, before the ground freezes.
Why? The dry winds of winter are harsh on plants and trees—especially evergreens because their foliage is exposed. Unlike deciduous trees that drop their leaves, evergreens can lose a lot of moisture in a harsh winter and that will affect their growth. You’ll want to ensure trees and shrubs are adequately hydrated before they “shut down” for the cold season. Scientific Plant Service also offers a protective spray that prevents desiccation.
Mulch Your Perennials
November landscaping care involves protecting your plants from freezing. After the first hard freeze, mulching your perennials helps to protect them from frost heaving caused by freezing and thawing of the soil. Mulch helps by moderating temperature fluctuations.
Protect Plants Vulnerable to Winter Injury
Evergreen plants such as azalea, rhododendron, holly, cherry laurel, boxwood, mountain laurel need to be protected from desiccating winter winds. You can hammer stakes placed 12-18 inches away from the plant to support a barrier made of burlap or plastic to help buffer the wind. Scientific Plant Service also offers a protective spray that prevents desiccation.
Shred or Compost Fallen Leaves
Leaves that fall onto your lawn can be shredded with a lawnmower and left to decompose, providing valuable organic matter to improve the soil. If shredded leaves are so thick that the lawn is smothered, the leaves can be used to make a great mulch for garden beds and can be added to your compost bin.
Remove Leaves From Ponds
If you have ponds in your garden, remove any fallen leaves from the water. Decomposing leaves produce gasses that can sicken or kill fish once the fish are trapped under a layer of ice. Cover your pond with a screen to prevent additional leaves from falling in the water.
Protect Your Landscape From Deer
Take the necessary steps to protect your landscape from deer. Scientific Plant Service has a guide for repelling deer from your landscape and preventing them from eating your plants.
Scientific Plant Service Is Your Go-To Source In Landscape Healthcare
Scientific Plant Service, located in Baltimore, is a privately owned corporation, chartered in Maryland in 1957 by Frank J. Burke. We started as a full-service Arborists specializing in the care of shade trees and ornamental shrubs, but today we are a Lawn Care company that is a huge part of the community. From aquatic environments and snow management to deer and mole control, SPS has services tailored specifically for your lawn and landscape.
We offer services in Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia, including: Harford, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Howard, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Prince Georges, Talbot, Queen Anne’s, Calvert counties in MD, as well as Loudoun County, Fairfax County, Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church in VA. For more information, contact us online, or call us at 410-321-0970. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest!