November brings the snap of winter and the promise of a great Thanksgiving dinner. Landscaping is probably not the first thing most of us think of.
Still, if you want to have a gorgeous landscape in the spring, there are a number of tasks you’re going to want to get done, preferably before the holiday.
Plant Spring Bulbs
If you want any bulb-based plants in your landscape, this is the time to get them in the ground. In Wisconsin, tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, autumn crocuses, and iris plants are all solid choices. They’ll erupt into brilliant color in due time, ushering in spring in the best way possible.
Plant or Move Trees
This is the ideal time for tree care. If you want new trees, make sure you get them in the ground before it freezes.
If you have a tree that’s not thriving because it’s in a very good spot, this is the time to dig it up and move it somewhere more advantageous. Be sure to water them well.
Prepare Flower Beds
You’ll want to get fallen leaf debris out of your flower beds: your grass isn’t going to be the only thing that gets smothered if the leaves stay on the ground. Follow your clean-up job with some fertilizer to keep your perennials healthy and strong.
Mulch
Wait until the ground freezes. You’re going to want to mulch all of your perennial flower beds and all of your trees. This will protect your plant roots throughout the cold winter months.
Annual beds won’t need mulch.
If you’re growing root vegetables you’ll want to mulch their bed as well. It’s a good idea to mark their rows so you know exactly where they are.
While we’re all about the fresh, clean scent of cedar, we usually recommend pine mulches. They’re not as expensive and it looks better throughout the course of the winter months.
Harvest Your Garden
Get the last of your food-based plants inside. Eat them up or can them, but don’t let them rot on the vine!
Don’t feel like going through the hassle of canning? Some of your vegetables will freeze well. Just chop them up and keep them on hand for soups, stews, and meals throughout the winter. Home-grown veggies still taste amazing even after they’ve been frozen.
Want to try your hand at canning? Check out this guide from the University of Wisconsin first.
Mow the Lawn
This is probably the last time you’ll have to engage in this particular task. If only you didn’t have to shovel snow instead!
Winterize your lawn mower when the task is done. Remove all the fuel, take out the battery, replace the filters, remove the spark plug, change the oil, and scrape the mowing deck. This is a good time to sharpen the blades too so that your lawn mower will be ready to get back to work in the spring. Clean it and lube it up, then keep it in your garage under a tarp.
Sure, lots of people don’t take all these steps. Lots of people have to replace their mowers a lot too.
Clear Overhanging Branches
You knew we’d get fences into this conversation somehow, right?
This is the ideal time to walk your fence perimeter though. If there are overhanging tree branches or other hazards, you should trim them back so they aren’t in danger of falling on your fence in the spring.
If they’re your neighbor’s trees, it’s usually a good idea to discuss the problem with your neighbor first.
See also: Can I Trim My Neighbor’s Tree?
Order a New Fence
Don’t have a new fence? Believe it or not, November might be the ideal time to get us out there.
You’re likely to get your fence faster because most people aren’t thinking about it. We’re happy to install them clear up until the ground freezes.
Live in our service area? Give us a call! We’ll be happy to provide you with a free estimate.
