Lawn
• Pick up fallen leaves, limbs, and other debris from lawn to prevent suffocation of the turf during winter.
• Store any left over lawn fertilizers in dry location and out of reach of children and pets.
• Store pesticides in a cool (not freezing) dry location for winter, out of reach of children and pets.
Landscape
• Water plants if it has not rained or snowed in 2 weeks. The plants may be dormant but the roots need moisture to survive. This is especially important the first year of your new landscape.
• Purchase Gift certificates
• Make a gardening gift basket for that special gardener on your gift list
• Don’t forget to water your poinsettias well while they are in full bloom. Place them near a sunny window but away from any heat vents.
• Protect outdoor statuary from weathering and peeling by spraying with statuary guard.
Vegetables and Fruits
• Time to cover strawberry beds with a layer of straw. If weather is warm, wait until January.
• Store leftover seeds and a cool, dry location, for example, in a sealed jar placed in the refrigerator.
• Check vegetables in storage for spoilage.
Flowers
• Mulch roses by mounding soil 6 to 8 inches deep over the plants to protect the graft.
• Mulch perennial beds with 2 to 4 inches of straw, shredded leaves, or other lightweight material.
• Cut tall hybrid tea roses back to 18 to 24 inches to reduce wind whipping and plant damage.
• Continue to plant spring flowering bulbs until the ground is frozen. Water and mulch.
• Empty decorative pots and containers. Store inside or decorate for winter.
Trees and Shrubs
• Spray broadleaf evergreens, dwarf Alberta spruce, and climbing rose canes with Wilt-Pruf to protect them from drying out in the cold winter air.
• Keep heavy snowfall from limbs of trees and shrubs by lightly shaking to avoid damage.
• To prevent breakage, avoid shoveling snow onto trees and shrubs.
• Check and protect the trunks of young trees and branches of shrubs for rabbit damage.
• Living Christmas trees are special. Leave in your home no longer than one week, then acclimate to outdoors and plant in a desirable location.
• Mulch roots of tender shrubs such as azaleas and rhododendrons to keep vigorous during winter.
• Water newly planted trees and shrubs in winter to prevent dry soil conditions.
Pruning
• Prune branches of junipers, pines, hollies, and other plants to use as holiday decorations
• Prune damaged branches throughout the winter months.
Miscellaneous
• Late fall or early winter is a good time to service power equipment such as mowers, tillers and garden tractors. Check and replace the spark plug if necessary. Some gardeners will also apply a light sprayable oil into the cylinder through the spark plug hole. Check and clean air filters and replace if necessary. Sharpen blades, clean tines, tighten screws, replace broken parts and do all the other things needed to keep equipment in good shape. Though such maintenance takes some time and effort, it pays for itself by reducing frustration and lost time due to poorly performing equipment during a hectic spring. (K-State, Ward Upham)
• Clean and oil garden hand tools for winter.
• Start planning for next year by making notes and preparing orders.
• Turn compost pile to encourage winter breakdown
This information is brought to you from Nadine Champlin, Designer, Grimms Gardens; and Johnson County K-State Research and Extension. http://www.johnson.ksu.edu/p.aspx?tabid=147
