University of Vermont Extension
Department of Plant and Soil Science
Fall News
Article
PREVENTING SUN
SCALD AND OTHER NOVEMBER GARDENING TIPS
Charlie Nardozzi,
Horticulturist and
Leonard Perry, UVM Extension
Horticulturist
Preventing
sun scald on trees, protecting roses, and proper mulching are some
of the
gardening tips for this month.
To
prevent sun scald and frost cracking on young, thin-barked trees,
such as
maples, wrap the trunks with tree wrap or paint the south- and
southwest-facing
sides of the trunk with white, outdoor, latex paint. This will
reflect the
warming rays of the sun so the tree bark doesn't heat up on winter
days, only to
be suddenly cooled when the sun sets and the temperature plummets.
Make
sure evergreens have a good deep watering before the ground freezes
because
they continue to respire, albeit slowly, during the winter. Protect
young
evergreens from wind damage during winter by wrapping them in
burlap. If you
use wooden protectors, it's not too soon to bring them out.
Once
the ground begins to freeze and you have consistent temperatures in
the low 20s
(F), it's time to protect modern hybrid roses from winter's wind and
cold. The
simplest method is to mound bark mulch around the base of the rose
(soil or
compost is less attractive to field mice), covering the graft union
(the
swollen part of the stem near the ground). The mound should be about
1 foot
tall. Wait until spring to cut back the canes above the mound.
Bare
soil invites weeds. Cover empty beds in your vegetable garden with a
layer of
straw or shredded leaves. This will help keep hardy weeds from
taking over. In
the spring, you may be able to plant
directly through the mulch without the need for tilling.
A
Christmas cactus develops buds when night temperatures are 55 to 60
degrees
(F). If nights are warmer, place your plant where it receives no
light from
about 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. (such as in a closet) for 30 days. Move the
plant to a
sunny location during the day. Don’t forget it!
It's
time to bring hoses inside or drain them if you leave them outside.
If the
ground is frozen, the water in your outdoor hoses will be too. If
so, bring
them into a garage where they can warm up enough for the ice to
melt. Then coil
them and store for the winter. Avoid hanging them on a hook, which
can cause
kinking.
When
the ground freezes, it's time to mulch tender perennials, newly
planted trees
and shrubs, roses, and other plants that need protection. Use straw,
hay,
compost, evergreen boughs, leaves (except for maple which easily
compact), bark
chips, or whatever else may be available locally that doesn't mat
down too
much. If burrowing rodents are a potential problem, leave a 2-inch
gap between
the mulch and tree trunks so the critters can't feed under cover all
winter.
Ceramic
and clay pots left outside can crack when the soil inside freezes
and expands.
Empty them and bring them into a shed, garage, or basement for
winter. Also
bring in ceramic birdbaths and statuary.
If too large to move, empty and cover with a tarp.
If
your birdbath is within an extension cord's reach of your outdoor
outlet, you
can provide drinking water for winter birds by using a birdbath
heater. It
keeps the water slightly above freezing. Just be sure you don't run
over the
cord with your snow blower.
(Charlie Nardozzi is a nationally known horticulturist,
author, gardening consultant, and garden coach; CharlieNardozzi.com).
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