October\November

• During the cooler temperatures and shorter days of winter, the growth rate of most plants slows.  Unless they are grown under an artificial light which is left on 16 hours a day, new growth will be minimal until spring.

• Cut away suckers from the base of lilacs, forsythia, and crepe myrtles.

• Watch for spider mites on house plants; they thrive in dry air.  At the first sign of insect infestation, isolate your plant.  Several thorough washes with plain water may keep the under control.  If not, apply appropriate insecticide.  Be sure you follow the instructions on the label.

• Thoroughly clean sprayers and dusters before putting them away for the winter.  Clean garden tools and apply a coating of rustproof grease.

• Check rain gutters for fallen leaves or needles.  Heavy rains will quickly overflow clogged gutters, possibly damaging foundation plants below them.

• If a soil test shows the need for a higher pH, apply dolomitic lime now so the fall rains and winter snow can move it into the soil.

• After leaf fall, cut roses back to about 2 feet to prevent damage from winter winds.

• Now is a good time to plant spring-blooming plants such as anemones, daffodils, scillas, and ranuncules. Time-released bulb fertilizer added at planting time should supply all the nutrients necessary for blooming time.

• Put fallen leaves in a compost pile.  Be sure to mix dry leaves with green manure such as grass clipping and a bit of water to make it easier for microbes to break down.

• Leftover culinary herbs such as basil, fennel, thyme, rosemary or tarragon can be added to decorative bottles filled with vinegar and allowed to steep for several weeks in order to be ready in time as excellent Christmas gifts.

• If indoor plants spent the summer outside, inspect them for signs of pests such as aphids, mealybugs, scale, and spider mites.  If any were brought in with the plants they should be showing up about now.

• Bulb forcing can be started as late as mid-winter.  Plant tulip bulbs with the tops just above the soil line and the flat side of the bulb toward the side of the pot.  Plant daffodils with the bulb tops even with the soil line.  Hyacinth bulbs should be planted with the tops just above the soil.  Crocus bulbs should be planted about 1 inch below the soil surface.
  
  
  December
  

• During winter, most plants show little or no sign of growth.  In order to avoid harming them, do not fertilize and reduce watering until growth resumes in the spring.

• To keep insect from hatching when nuts, cones, and seed pods are brought indoors arrangements, place them in the oven on the low setting for an hour.

• Trim hollies and other evergreens to furnish material for holiday decorations.

• Ensure you punch holes in decorative foil around holiday plants, or it will collect water and cause roots to die.

• Check moisture around foundation plants overhangs and water if necessary.

• The Christmas cactus will be coming into bloom.  Reduce watering to prolong the blooming period.  Keep in full sun at 70 degrees F.

• Keep house plants with glossy leaves clean and healthy by removing dust from their leaves with a damp cloth.

• Ashes left over from the Yule Log and other cozy winter fires can be used in the garden to raise the soil's pH and increase the potassium level