Over the years from various sources, we have compiled a lot of helpful information. Here are the weekly tips first found in our newsletters, along with plants and products that we have spotlighted. We include practices developed here at The Natural Gardener and by other gardening experts.

November

2004

Weeds
This is a great time to take care of those pesky weeds in your garden and lawn. The rain makes many seeds germinate, but the rain is also a boon to weeders as a soft ground makes for much easier weeding. Be sure to grab the weed at the base so you can get as much of the root out as you can. After weeding an area you may want to think about using weed barrier and or mulch to keep the weeds from coming back as quickly.

Frost Is Coming
Believe it or not, the first frost could come anytime now. Start preparing now so you do not get caught and lose all those tomatoes that are so close to ripening. Often we have a frost and then have beautiful growing weather for several weeks, so if you can get some of those tender plants through the first freeze, you can enjoy them a while longer.

There are several ways of protecting plants. The plant can be covered with a blanket or row cover/frost cloth. It is best that the cover reaches all the way to the ground, as the heat from the ground will rise up under the cover and keep the area around the plant warm. Different thickness of covers will provide different levels of protection. Our thicker cover will give you about 6 degrees of protection. Plastic housing can also be built around the plant by using PVC hoops or even a tomato cage to hold plastic around the plant, but try not to let the plant touch the plastic. Plastic can be a very effective tool, but you do need to watch out that you open it up when necessary, as it can be easy to cook your plant when the sun comes out. Some people will string Christmas lights under the plastic or put a bucket of hot water underneath to provide additional warmth.

Plants can be prepared to be more cold resistant. Start (if you haven't been already) spraying with seaweed. The hormones in seaweed will build the plant's cold tolerance. Before a freeze is expected, water the area well. This increases the soil's heat-holding capacity.

Another thing you can do to prepare for the frost is harvest and "put-up" veggies, fruits, and herbs. There are many books on canning that have wonderful recipes for relishes, salsas, jellies, etc. It is also easy to freeze many vegetables. Many general cook books have a canning/preserving section that will tell you if the vegetables need to be cooked slightly or can be frozen directly. Do not forget about making up dishes such as spaghetti sauce, zucchini bread, and casseroles made with those wonderful fresh ingredients. Pull them out for an easy dinner on a cold dreary day in December and taste the warm days of summer. Basil is an herb that will not tolerate any cold weather, but is so easy to keep in the freezer. Basil can be frozen several ways. Make up a batch of pesto and store in serving size containers. Chop basil with olive oil (or water) and freeze in ice cube trays, pop them out when frozen, store in a freezer bag and then use in you favorite recipe. Keep all freezer packing as air free as possible. Check out our selection of books on these and other subjects in the store.

Feed growing plants
Don't forget to feed the plants that are growing during the cool months. This includes all the cool season annuals, vegetables, herbs and any other plants that are getting larger or producing this time of the year. A great combination for better performance is Rabbit Hill Buds and Blooms (cottonseed meal or alfalfa meal for vegetables) and John's Recipe. Buds and Bloom is great for slow release fertilizing and John's Recipe, used as a foliar spray, releases nutrients quickly to the plants. Plants that stay green, but don't grow during the season, do not need feeding now, but could use an occasional shot of Terra Tonic, compost, or compost tea to keep the soil and root system healthy.

Work dry soil only
Remember, do not work soil when it is wet, but it is a good time to plan projects. It is also a good time to come in and talk with someone here at the nursery about any questions or suggestions you need for your garden. It is much easier to get individual attention this time of year than it is in the spring, and you will have time to work on the projects.

2003

Bulbs
It is bulb-planting time. Daffodils, tulips, anemones, ranunculus, snowflakes, hyacinth, and freesia can all be planted now for spring blooms. We carry varieties that will naturalize here in Central Texas and come back year after year. Be sure to add bone meal, soft rock phosphate or Rabbit Hill Bulb food when you are planting the bulbs. The bulbs really like the phosphate. Phosphate needs to be in the root zone and should be added at planting time.
Narcissus bulbs can be forced to bloom inside. The Narcissus should be started 6-8 weeks before you want them to bloom so plan now for the holiday season.

Ready for Frost
Believe it or not, the first frost could come anytime now. Start preparing now so you do not get caught and lose all those tomatoes that were so close to ripening. Often we have a frost and then have beautiful growing weather for several weeks so if you can get some of those tender plants through the first freeze, you can enjoy them a while longer.

There are several ways of protecting plants. The plant can be covered with a blanket or row cover/frost cloth. It is best that the cover reaches all the way to the ground as the heat from the ground will rise up under the cover and keep the area around the plant warm. Different thickness of covers will provide different levels of protection. Our thicker cover will give you about 6 degrees of protection. Plastic housing can also be built around the plant by using PVC hoops or even a tomato cage to hold plastic around the plant, but try not to let the plant touch the plastic. Plastic can be a very effective tool but you do need to watch out that you open it up when necessary as it can be easy to cook your plant when the sun comes out. Some people will string Christmas lights under the plastic or put a bucket of hot water underneath to provide some more warmth.

Plants can be prepared to be more cold resistant. Start (if you haven't been already) spraying with seaweed. The hormones in seaweed will build the plant's cold tolerance. Before a freeze is expected, water the area well. This increases the soil's heat-holding capacity.

A Greenhouse is a perfect place for propagation or over wintering tender plants in pots. We carry the Rion Greenhouse, a well-thought out system and easy to install. It is delivered unassembled to your house. Get yourself an early holiday present. We have a Rion Greenhouse assembled in our pottery yard.

Another thing you can do to prepare for the frost is to harvest and "put-up" veggies, fruits, and herbs. There are many books on canning that have wonderful recipes for relishes, salsas, jellies, etc. It is also easy to freeze many vegetables. Many general cooking books will have a canning/preserving section that will tell you if the vegetables need to be cooked slightly or can be frozen directly. Do not forget about making up dishes such as spaghetti sauce, zucchini bread, and casseroles made with those wonderful fresh ingredients. Pull them out for an easy dinner on a cold dreary day in December and taste the warm days of summer. Basil is an herb that will not tolerate any cold, but is so easy to keep in the freezer. Basil can be frozen several ways. Make up a batch of pesto and store in serving size containers. Chop basil with olive oil (or water) and freeze in ice cube trays, pop them out when frozen, store in a freezer bag and then use in you favorite recipe. Keep all freezer packing as air free as possible. Check out our selection of books on these and other subjects in the store.

Cold Weather Veggies
Produce yummy cold weather vegetables. Many of you are already harvesting the vegetables you planted earlier this fall. The sugar snap peas have been unbelievable this year in some gardens. The best of taste is still to come. Many of the cool weather crops are at the height of their sweet flavor just after a frost. There are several things you can do throughout the growing season to have great success.

Planting seeds?
If you are planting seeds, pay attention to depth; many of the cool weather crops do not like to be planted deep. The seeds need to stay moist to germinate. You will probably need to water daily until the seeds germinate. Floating row cover (the lightest type) can aid in slowing down how quickly the soil dries out. Make sure the beds are well prepared and mix in some organic fertilizer. Some seeds mature so quickly, such as radishes, that this is really the only chance to feed the plants. Many seeds can be planted every couple of weeks for a continuous harvest.

After plants are established, continue to feed by side dressing with organic fertilizer, Rabbit Hill Rose Food is actually a good blend for greens and other cool weather crops. Fish Emulsion and Seaweed or John's Recipe are great as foliar feeds. Make sure to give the plants enough room to grow and remember that many of the young plants and tops of the plants are great to eat. Keep watering consistent including any rain the plants receive.

Harvest leaves when the plant is young for the most tender greens or lettuce. Many cool weather vegetables such as lettuces, greens, bok choy, Chinese cabbage and others can be continually harvested off the same plant by using the out side leaves. On broccoli, side shoots will develop once the main head is harvested. Head cabbages will only produce one head and should be pulled and composted after harvesting.

Look Out for Bugs
Bug problems are easily controlled on cool weather vegetables. The most common pest is the cabbage lopper which can be controlled with BT (Bacillus thuringiensis.)

See our November To-Do List

See our November Articles: Reflections on Life and Organic Gardening

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