Keven
November is a great time to think ahead for the holidays and prepare your yard for the season. Just a little bit of work now will pay off when things get busy.
Give Your Landscape a Bath
Clean plants are happy, happy, happy. I use a quart sized hose end sprayer made by Gilmore that is pre-set to mix with 20 gallons of water. In it, mix one cup of regular liquid dish soap, one cup of antiseptic mouthwash, fill the rest with water and spray your yard to wash all the dirt, dust and grime from plants and trees. Besides having the cleanest yard on the block, leaves and fronds will shine like new. What you don’t use can be stored for later.
Holidays Bulbs
Boxed amaryllis bulbs can be purchased ready to grow with a pot, soil and instructions. Paper whites will bloom in time for the holidays; set pots around your house and you’ll never be far from the sweet smell for which they are known.
Plant Garden Pots Now
Don’t be afraid to mix lettuce, parsley, carrots, beets or any cool season veggies in with your flowers for a beautiful display of color and contrasting textures.
Discouraging Rabbits
Rabbits are one of the toughest, hungriest, most persistent and cutest pests I’ve ever despised. If you have any tricks or methods other than the ones I’m about to share, please let me know. Cages work best but are unsightly. Liquid fence works pretty well, but it smells bad and needs to be reapplied frequently. Human hair (especially men’s) sprinkled around the plants works about as good as anything and I’ve had success with hot peppers boiled in water and sprayed on plants. Whatever you use, do it often and consistently. At best, you’ll train them to dine elsewhere.
Adjust Your Drip System
Too much water is not good for plants and trees.
Next month we’ll talk about citrus, poinsettias, holiday cheer and barbeque. Send questions or comments [email protected].