November Gardening Tips and Tasks

• Leave some leaves, dead plant stalks, and branches in a portion of your garden (or the backyard). These materials provide winter shelter for butterflies, fireflies, moths, and other 'good' insects that provide pollination and pest control. To learn more on this topic, watch our free 1-hour webinar recording: To Rake or Not to Rake.
   
• If you need to discard pesticides, check the product label for disposal instructions. Contact your local government's solid waste or environmental department to find out if they have a hazardous waste collection program for the disposal of pesticides.

• Prune shade trees after the leaves have fallen off. Begin by removing all dead, diseased branches, and making any necessary cosmetic cuts. Do not cut branches flush with the trunk. Leave the branch collar (swollen area on the trunk of a tree or a larger branch) but do not leave a stub. 
   
• Topping is not the correct pruning technique to help control the size of a tree. Crown reduction, pruning entire branches at their point of origin, is recommended if a tree must be reduced in size. 
   
• Protect plants vulnerable to winter injuries like azalea, rhododendron, holly, cherry laurel, boxwood, mountain laurel, or those at their northern limit for winter hardiness like newly planted Southern magnolia, aucuba, or Camellia spp. Hammer stakes placed about 12-18 inches away from the plant to support a barrier made from materials such as burlap or plastic to buffer the wind.

• If you have not planted a cover crop, keep vegetable garden beds covered with leaves or mulch to minimize the risk of soil erosion, nutrient run-off, and weeds.

• Have you tested your soil? Send a sample to a soil testing lab to get important baseline information on soil pH and levels of nutrients, organic matter, and lead (Pb). A soil test can be done anytime as long as the ground is not frozen.

• Protect fig trees from freezing temperatures. Any exposed wood is vulnerable to winter damage (temperature under 20 degrees F. for an extended period).
   

• In asparagus plantings, cut the foliage down to 2-inch stubs after the first frost. A 4- to 6-inch layer of mulch will help control weeds and add organic matter and nutrients.

• Fallen leaves are an excellent addition to a compost bin. Do not add branches and other woody materials unless they are broken into smaller pieces.
   
• Learn how to set up an indoor composting or vermicomposting system, if you don't have a place for composting outdoors.
   

• Mulch your perennials after the first hard freeze. This helps to protect them from frost heaving caused by the freezing and thawing of the soil. Mulch helps moderate temperature fluctuations, reducing this problem. 
   
• Dig up summer bulbous and tuberous plants, such as cannas, dahlias, gladiolus, caladium, or tuberous begonia, and store them indoors for the winter. After digging, remove loose soil from the roots, cut the foliage back to just above the bulb, and spread them out to cure in a dry area for one to three weeks. Allow a 4-6” stem to remain above cannas and dahlia tubers. Store bulbs in paper or mesh bags, cardboard boxes, or nylon stockings. Cover or layer the bulbs with peat moss, perlite, vermiculite, or shredded newspaper. Store in a cool (40- 50 degrees), dry place and check periodically for shriveling or decay.
   
• Save and store seeds to plant in your garden next year or to share at seed exchanges.

Beneficial

• Polyphemus moth caterpillars will begin to create their silken cocoons as their overwintering life stage. These cocoons usually start off attached to plants, but sometimes drop into leaf litter below. To support these beneficial pollinators, consider leaving the leaves in all or certain areas of your greenspace. 
   
• Many of our native ground nesting bees like Colletes spp. spend the cold months underground. Leaf litter plays an important role to help insulate these overwintering bees during extreme temperatures. Consider leaving the leaves in all or certain areas of your greenspace, especially in areas you have seen ground nesting bees.
   
• Syrphid fly adults and larvae are still active. Syrphid fly adults are seeking out nectar and the larvae are feeding on a wide range of soft bodied pests. Depending on the species, some syrphid larvae will start seeking shelter in leaf litter for overwintering habitat. Consider leaving some leaves as habitat, especially under flowers you have spotted syrphid larvae.
   
• North American wheel bugs will begin laying egg masses on tree bark and other surfaces. These beneficial predators feed on a wide range of pests. Learn to recognize these egg masses so you can leave them be during the cold months until they hatch come spring. 
   
• Florida predatory stink bug adults are active and feeding on a wide range of insect pests. These predators will start searching for overwintering habitat such as wood piles and sheltered crevices. Learn to distinguish this predatory stink bug species from plant-feeding stink bug species. Consider creating a wood/brush pile or leaving fallen logs to provide overwintering habitat.
   
• Praying mantis adults are active and laying egg cases (ootheca). All mantid species in our area are considered beneficial predators (do not target and kill non-native mantid species). Support these predators by leaving their egg cases be, outdoors. Do not bring egg cases indoors during the fall and winter months, as the warm temperatures inside your home could cause an early emergence of immature mantids (allow them to naturally emerge in the spring).

Pests

• Spotted lanternfly adults are laying egg masses on any outdoor surface (tree bark, outdoor furniture, tires, etc.). If you observe any spotted lanternfly lifestage, inform the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) by reporting the sighting on their website. These insects are mainly nuisance pests in residential gardens and landscapes. They have not been shown to significantly damage otherwise healthy ornamental plants. Consider sustainable management options if you want to take action. You can remove egg masses by scraping them off into a container of soapy water or alcohol (ensure you properly identify the egg mass before removal). 
   
• Various types of caterpillars may be found feeding on the leaves of trees at this time of year. Research has shown that this late-season damage is minor to overall tree health and management of caterpillars is usually not necessary.
   
• Large milkweed bugs are active on their primary host plants, milkweeds (Asclepias spp.). No control is necessary unless you want to save the milkweed seeds. These bugs are primarily a nuisance pest and are only present on milkweed seed pods for a short period of time before they migrate south for the winter.
   
• Boxelder bug nymphs and adults are active and may congregate on boxelder trees, mulch, or in sunny areas of buildings. Adults will begin seeking shelter for the winter, possibly finding their way indoors. This insect cannot harm humans, pets, or buildings and does not significantly damage plants. Control is generally not needed. If found indoors, vacuum or sweep up the insects. 
   
• Mexican bean beetle adults will begin settling into plant debris, where they will spend the winter months. Pull up and bag infested legume plants after harvest. Watch this short tutorial on how to harvest and bag bean plants.
   
• Many different cabbage-feeding caterpillars and moths are active. Check host plant leaves (mainly crucifers and brassicas) for signs of feeding damage and for the presence of caterpillars and caterpillar droppings (frass). Found caterpillars can be removed and destroyed. Remove infested plant debris after harvest to remove pest overwintering sites. 
   
• Striped and spotted cucumber beetle adults are active and chewing holes in leaves, flowers, and fruit. Adults spend the winter months in plant debris and soil. Remove infested debris after harvest. In the fall or spring, lightly till the soil to disrupt soil-living life stages.
   
• Many different social wasp species, like yellowjackets, will seek out sources of sugar this time of year. Keep outdoor food and beverages covered, rake up and discard fallen tree fruit, and equip trash cans with tight-fitting lids. Certain wasps may sting if they feel threatened. Avoid swatting or handling any wasps. 
   
• Blacklegged (deer) ticks are still active at this time of year. These ticks can transmit Lyme Disease. Be sure to protect yourself from tick bites when spending time outdoors, especially along forest edges. Wear light-colored long pants, long sleeves, and close-toed shoes. Tuck pants into socks. Tuck shirts into pants. Use insect repellents (age dependent, check label for safe use). Shower and check for ticks after being outdoors.

• According to the Maryland Lawn Fertilizer Law, fertilizer cannot be applied to Maryland lawns by homeowners between November 15th and March 1st. 
   
• It is too late to broadcast lawn seed and expect it to survive the winter. Wait until early spring.
   
• Leaves are a valuable source of organic matter that improves the soil in lawns and gardens. Leaves that fall onto the lawn can be moved to another area of your yard or a compost bin. Fallen leaves make excellent mulch for garden beds. Keeping leaves whole is best for wildlife, but on a lawn, they can be shredded with a mulching mower to speed up decomposition and add nutrients to your soil.

• Remove leaves that have fallen into uncovered ponds. Decomposing leaves will produce gasses that can sicken or kill fish when trapped under a layer of ice. Then cover the pond with screening to prevent additional leaves from falling in.
   
• Protect garden and landscape plants from deer damage. Apply deer repellents to vulnerable plants according to the label directions. Reapply as necessary. If deer pressure is heavy, try rotating repellents. Deer netting and fencing may also be necessary.

• During periods of slow houseplant growth, allow most of the soil to dry out. Not bone dry, but not too moist. Wet soil causes root rot. 

• Crickets, multicolored Asian lady beetles, boxelder bugs, stink bugs, cluster flies, and other innocuous insects may attempt to enter your home this fall to overwinter. Caulk, weatherstrip, and seal up all cracks, and entry points around your house foundation, vent openings, windows, and doorways to prevent these critters from coming indoors.
   
• Many different spiders like jumping spiders, yellow house spiders, wolf spiders may enter homes. They can wander indoors through or around windows, doors, and cracks. Caulk cracks and tighten up around doors and windows, especially those at ground level. Most spiders are shy and harmless to humans. Normally, they will not attempt to bite unless accidentally trapped or held. They are beneficial by feeding on nuisance insects. Killing spiders should be avoided, if possible.
   
• Drain flies are found primarily in rooms or areas where there are drains such as kitchens, basements near floor drains, etc. Drain flies are small, 1/16 to 1/4 inch long, delicate and fuzzy. Their fuzzy wings make them easy to identify.
   
• House mice and sometimes field mice may be more noticeable around and in homes due to the onset of cool weather. Keep grass and weeds properly mowed around your house and seal all cracks.