Gardeners Checklist: Here's What to Do on the Week of Nov. 20

By Ron Kujawski

• Set up windscreens in front of evergreens such as rhododendron, mountain laurel, and holly to protect the plants from north and west winds through the winter. Either snow fence or burlap stretched between fence posts will make a good wind screen. Perhaps the most common cause of winter damage to evergreens is desiccation, that is, the excessive evaporation of moisture from the plant leaves. Shielding plants from prevailing winds will reduce such evaporation.

• Cut down the fern-like stems of asparagus if you haven’t done so as yet. These stems often harbor insects and diseases, so remove them from the garden. 

• Check the condition of apples, onions, potatoes, and other fruits and vegetables in storage. Cull any that are decaying. If potatoes are beginning to sprout, rub off the sprouts and use the potatoes soon since they will not keep much longer. Sprouting potatoes are an indication that the storage area may be too humid and/or too warm. Potatoes hold up best if stored at low humidity and temperatures below 50 degrees F.  Most of us don’t have storage areas of 50 degrees F, so start eating your spuds.

• Water cacti about once a month through the winter. Cacti are an ideal winter house plant for New England homes. They don’t need much water and will tolerate the dry air in our heated homes. For best results, keep cacti in a cool room near a sunny window. Cacti can easily be grown from seed.  Starting cacti from seed would be a good winter project for your kids, or your kid’s kids.  Use a mix of sand and a soilless potting medium to start seeds and grow cacti.

• Move African violets to a brighter location or put them under artificial lights if their leaves are turning yellow-green. If they are already exposed to very bright light and the leaves are turning yellow-green or very pale green, the light may be too intense. Dim the bulb!

Speaking of dim bulbs, I’m always kicking myself (not an easy feat) for not stocking up on bulbs of paperwhite Narcissus. It’s not the paperwhites that are dim; they have bright white, fragrant blossoms when forced indoors in winter. This is a good time to head over to the garden center and buy a supply of paperwhite bulbs. By potting bulbs this week, I may have them in bloom in time for Christmas. They typically take four to six weeks to bloom. Paperwhite bulbs can be planted in gravel or coarse potting soil in ordinary flower pots or bulb pans but may also be planted in pebbles in shallow, decorative bowls. In any case, make sure to leave at least the top third of the bulbs exposed. Water immediately after potting but don’t let the bulbs sit in water. Keep the bulbs in a warm and bright spot and they’ll begin to grow in less than a week. Once the flowers come into bloom, the flowering period can be extended by moving the plants to a cool place. The period of enjoyment of flowering paperwhite Narcissus can also be extended by buying enough bulbs to pot up some for forcing every few weeks through winter.  

Ron Kujawski began gardening at an early age on his family's onion farm in upstate New York. Although now retired, he spent most of his career teaching at the UMass Extension Service. He serves on Berkshire Botanical Garden’s Horticulture Advisory Committee. His book, Week-by-Week Vegetable Gardener’s Handbook, is available here.