As the weather gets cooler we know that winter will be just around the corner. Now is the time to start making plans for the winter months ahead. Here are some suggestions:

• Store summer bulbs. After frost, dig up and store canna, caladium and other summer bulbs. Keep your dry and cleaned bulbs stored in peat moss or sawdust in a cool, but not freezing garage or storeroom. Make sure you identify the bulbs as to color, name or variety as you box them. Next year you’ll be rewarded with free, bigger and more beautiful plants.

• Root cuttings in water. Some tender plants like geraniums, coleus, impatiens, rosemary, begonias and Jew can be rooted in water, then potted after the roots reach at least one inch in length. Place the potted plants on a windowsill or in a well-lighted area during the winter. Get your cuttings before the first frost.

• Use pine straw mulch. The use of pine straw as a mulch around trees and flowerbeds has become popular, especially since it can be harvested each year in our East Texas area. A new application requires three inches of pine straw because it settles to 1.5 inches. An additional inch is required each year to maintain the popular depth of mulch. If possible throw the straw into a mulcher for a finer consistency. It will lie down more easily.

Pine straw helps provide favorable growing conditions and stimulates healthy plant development by insulating tender roots, conserving soil moisture, eliminating erosion and protecting against soil compaction. It also creates a chemically balanced bed for acid loving plants such as azaleas and roses.

November Tips:

• A great time to plant landscape trees and shrubs.
• Decrease fertilizing of plants brought indoors for protection

Smith County Master Gardeners are volunteer educators certified and coordinated by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

Jim Powell
Smith County Master Gardener