The month of November will bring a number of noteworthy dates to residents of panhandle Florida, and the rest of the country. As has been the tradition of the last few years, all forms of advertising will shift away from political ads to holiday events, and the associated gifts which need to be purchased.
While the month has many activities for home gardeners and landscape managers, there is a big no in November. It is either too late or too early, depending on one’s perspective, for certain activities.
One of the “big no’s” is the use of herbicides on warm season weeds. Even though it is still relatively warm, these weeds are going into dormancy. The weed killers will not be absorbed and will not work on the target species.
Annual weeds are already dying and have set seed for the next season. Warm season perennials are retreating into their annual phase of inactivity and are not subject to the herbicide’s control characteristics.
Another of the no’s is the application of nitrogen fertilizer to warm season plants. This element will stimulate the growth of tender foliage, even in the coming days of diminishing sunlight.
Those who persisted and endured the hot September and warm October will soon have their first crop of turnips (white egg and purple top in this case), radishes, kale, and other leafy vegetables. There is still time to plant a second crop, and if successful, the weather may allow for a third cool season harvest.
If a frost settles on the delicate green growth, there will be obvious and substantial damage to the plant. In the most extreme cases, the plant will be killed.
On the positive side, there are many cool season plants which can be cultivated. Broccoli, radishes, cabbage, kale and many others can still be planted during November for harvest in the mild days of north Florida’s late autumn or winter, even with its prospects of a light frost.
Many cool season vegetables were able to survive the warm (in some cases hot) autumn days if watered regularly and mulched properly after planting in early September. These are ready to harvest now and can be replanted for a second crop.
Additionally, planting frost sensitive salad crops such as arugula, lettuce, spinach and numerous other cool-season crops is a possibility with the moderating weather. There is still time for these vegetables to produce a viable yield before frost kills them.
Onions are another productive fall crop where there is still time to install. Locally onions can be grown for both the greens and the bulb.
For either crop the bulbs should be planted just below the soil’s surface. Scallions or green onions will be ready for harvest in 30 to 45 days, but bulb onions will take until late April or early May to be ready.
Even tomatoes are still producing. If concerned about premature frigid weather, plant the tomatoes in containers which can be moved to a protected site or be prepared to cover the plants when a winter chill arrives.
Now is also the time to prepare for protecting citrus trees. If covering with a cloth and heating with a light bulb, or using the icing technique, be ready before that super chilling event sneaks up during the holiday season.
One advantage to late autumn gardening is the aggressive and prolific pests are much less of an issue. The caterpillar, grasshopper and stinkbug populations are well past their seasonal peak and should only present minor problems.
Now is the time to continue adding a thick layer of mulch around perennials, shrubs, trees and even vegetable plants to help regulate and maintain proper moisture levels. Mulch makes ornamental plant beds cosmetically more appealing, too.
It would be best to complete gardening tasks now because late November will begin the stream of unending holiday season engagements, with all their distractions and expenses, which terminate on New Year’s Eve.
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