If you haven’t already done so, this weekend is a good time to get your yard and garden ready for winter—the average date range for the first freeze in Dallas County is Nov. 21-30. The Dallas County Master Gardener Association, Inc., a division of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, recommends several things to do during November, including:
- Plant trees and shrubs that are “balled and burlapped”
- Bring potted tropicals and houseplants inside; inspect for insects which could multiply rapidly indoors
- Divide and re-plant ground covers like liriope and mondo grass, as well as new ground covers.
- Prune dead wood from existing trees and shrubs, but wait until the dormant season for major re-shaping. Mulch or gather leaves regularly as they drop, as a thick leaf layer on lawns can promote insects and diseases and delay winter dormancy. Add excess leaves to a compost pile, shred them and use as mulch in beds or place in compostable bags and request a BABIC pickup (www.cor.net/babic)
More November gardening tasks: www.dallascountymastergardeners.org
