Things to Do in November

Before all the leaves fall off of your trees take time to see which branches are dead. After the leaves have fallen remove these dead branches and any other that you deem necessary. Try to wait until after a freeze before trimming any Live Oaks or Red Oaks to minimize chances of spreading oak wilt. If you are wondering why I like to wait until the leaves have dropped it is because I am weak. And the fewer leaves on the tree only means that the branches will have that much less weight on them and will make it easier for dragging to the firewood pile or to the e area for city bulk removal.

As the leaves fall you may try running your mulching mower over the leaves before they accumulate so much that mowing becomes difficult. By mulching you will be able to leave the smaller particles on the ground and become organic matter for the soil. If you like to exercise then you can do this several times during the week to minimize heavy accumulations of leaf debris.

Once you start getting so many leaves that mulching becomes difficult or the debris is so much that your lawn just does not look manicured start a compost pile. This compost pile does not have to be enclosed in a beautiful structure. The compost pile can be shaped as an ice cream cone, enclosed in an inexpensive composter or stacked against a fence.

To hasten the composting process you should turn the pile at least once a week if not more often. Add moisture to the pile, but not so much that you cool the piles down rather then heat it up. HEAT IT UP?

Yes, one of the main ingredients necessary for a compost pile is heat. I asked Warren Johnson, marketing director for Green Sense Products to give a brief explanation on compost and the need for heat in a compost pile.

Healthy soil contains at least 5% organic matter. It is food for the beneficial organisms that convert nutrients to a form plants can use, provide aeration through their tunneling, provide a source of nutrients when they die and help to maintain a balance between the beneficial and harmful forces in the soil.

Adding organic matter to the soil in the form of compost is one of the most beneficial things we can do. Composting is necessary because it destroys weed seeds, insects and pathogens as a result of heat generated in the digestion process. The heat is created by bacteria called Thermophiles. They can quickly raise the temperature in a compost pile to levels that are lethal to weed seeds, insects and pathogens. Left alone, temperatures within a compost pile can easily reach temperatures of 175°F.

In commercial composting, and hopefully in home composting, compost temperatures should be kept below 150°F to prevent the destruction of beneficial organisms. This is accomplished by regular monitoring with a temperature probe. As core temperatures in the pile or windrow approach the range of 135° to 150° F, the material is turned so that all the material in the pile or windrow is exposed to oxygen. The oxygen slows the digestive process of the micro-organisms and helps to lower the core temperature of the pile.

If composting continues beyond the point where weeds, insects and pathogens are eliminated, the result is a continued reduction in particle size and volume within the pile or windrow. If composting is allowed to continue to its logical end, the result will be pure humus, a dark, gelatinous substance that is the essence of fertility. True humus is rare, but still occurs in undisturbed natural areas.

The products referred to as 'humus' by commercial manufacturers of soil amendments, are usually blends of peat and topsoil. They bear no resemblance to true humus.

If you are a neat freak and need a place to store leaves and things for compost pile I recommend and inexpensive composter from Presto. And then use a compost tumbler. That will help accelerate the compost process.

The compost tumbler will produce ready to use compost in only 27 days. But, there is a secret to the method. Once you fill the tumbler up with a mixture of organic matter and maybe some additives such as Green Sense Minerals Plus, Cottonseed meal, Green Sense Humate, do not add anything else except a few cups of water that may contain sugar, molasses or fish soluble. By adding more bulk you will slow down the compost process for the existing material in the tumbler. TURN the tumbler at least once a day rotating it at least three times. Every three days open the lid and check for moisture and heat. If there is no heat add some nitrogen in the form of hair, coffee grounds, cottonseed meal or an organic fertilizer. The tumbler will help produce a great inexpensive compost that you will be able to use anywhere on your property.

Compost can be applied around your perennials, your annual flowers and your vegetable garden to help replace needed organic matter. If you have any pots that are not being used this winter dump the contents on a hard surface and add equal amounts of compost to improve your potting mix. Refill the pots and place them in a dry area ready for next year’s plants. Any leftover can be added to your compost tumbler to add weight to your product for plants that may need heavier soils.

Perennials: Now is a good time to trim and transplant spent perennials. It is also a good time to “compost” the poor performers. Perennials that did not live up to your expectations can be traded at one of the Garden Clubs or moved to an area where you may need some plants for erosion control or to takeover an area where other “unattractive” weeds may grow. Many perennials will do well in area where you may have conditions that only allow dandelions, crabgrass or other noxious weeds.

Mulch: Prepare your beds for the winter by using the mulched leaves from your yard or the discarded leaves that your neighbor has conveniently bagged for your use. If your lawn does not have trees large enough to produce a good amount of leaves come on over To Rohde’s and buy some. Cedar Mulch, Pine Straw, Pecan Mulch and Hardwood Mulch make good blankets for your beds.

Vegetable Gardens: Cover Crops such as rye and clover can be put out over the garden to help replace needed nitrogen and organic matter to the soil. These crops will also help to prevent weed growth during the winter.

Speaking of the vegetable garden this is a great time to plant Onion seeds and garlic. We do have a good selection of garlic: Killarney Red, German Red, Persian Star, Shantili, Inchelium, Nootka Red, Asian Tempest and Romanian Red are available now.

Green Sense Lawn & Microbial Treatment works wonderfully during cool periods when the soil is moist. Microbes become more active during the fall. Green Sense Lawn And Garden Microbial Treatment enhances turf growth, improves coverage of bare spots, improves seed germination, loosens soil and improves soil percolation, improving the absorption of moisture and strengthening root systems. Flowers and plants, in most cases, will have larger blooms, leaves, and bloom periods. Plants will also have greater vigor during stressful periods of weather.

If you have not fertilized the lawn in September or October, do it now. Fall is the most important time to fertilize the lawn. Fall fertilization will prolong the foliage color later into autumn and extend the usefulness of the turf. It also increases winter hardiness. Grass fertilized in the fall resumes growth earlier in the spring than grass not receiving a fall application of fertilizer. The benefits of fall fertilization for trees and shrubs also are apparent. Although trees and shrubs might appear dormant during the fall and winter seasons, their roots can quickly absorb nutrients.