November What To Do Now Calendar

Care for houseplants – Clean foliage, water regularly and fertilize. Repot as necessary. For more information on caring for houseplants, go to the Bayer Advanced houseplant page. To feed and protect from insects, use Bayer Advanced™ 2-in-1 Insect Control plus Fertilizer Plant Spikes – no spraying, no mess. Just push the spikes into the soil for up to eight weeks of nutrition and protection. To control existing insects, use Bayer Advanced™ Dual Action Rose & Flower Insect Killer Ready-To-Use. Bring houseplants back indoors before temperatures drop into the 50s.

Care for roses – Remove faded flowers, cutting back to the first leaf with five leaflets. Roses, such as floribundas and shrubs, which bloom in clusters, can be lightly sheared after blooms fade.

Control garden weeds – This winter’s weeds are easiest to control when young, which is now. Use an appropriate weed killer, hoe or pull by hand. (Spray only the weeds you want controlled and be sure to take care in applying herbicides to prevent spray drift from damaging desirable plants.)

Control indoor pests – To control insects like spiders, fleas and cockroaches, use Bayer Advanced™ Home Pest Control Indoor & Outdoor Insect Killer Ready-To-Use Nested Sprayer. For easier-than-ever control of roaches, use Bayer Advanced™ Dual Action Roach Killer Power Pen® Ready-To-Use. For more information, visit the Bayer Advanced home pest control Web page. If just outdoor ants are your problem and you prefer to use a granule, use Bayer Advanced™ Triple Action Ant Killer Granules.

Control lawn weeds – Kill winter annual weeds such as chickweeds and henbit with Bayer Advanced™ All-In-One Lawn Weed & Crabgrass Killer Ready-To-Use. This product kills over 200 types of broadleaf weeds, including dandelions and clover, plus grassy weeds like crabgrass and nutgrass – without harming your lawn (Not for use on St. Augustine grass, Bahia, bentgrass, carpetgrass, centipedegrass of Dichondra). One application in fall will kill many weeds when they are small and easier to control than they will be next spring.

Control slugs and snails – Protect flowers, vegetables and other tender plants with Bayer Advanced™ Dual Action Snail & Slug Killer Bait Granules. Can be used around pets and wildlife.

Fertilize lawns – This is one of the most important times of the year to feed cool-season lawns like Kentucky bluegrass and fescues.

Fertilize plants – Fall is an ideal time to fertilize landscape plants. Even though growth of many plants is slowing, roots can still absorb nutrients.

Improve your soil – Have your soil tested (contact your cooperative extension service for information) and add recommended amendments to adjust pH or improve nutrition.

Mow – Growth is slowing. Mow as needed.

Plant flowers – You can still plant cool-season annuals like sweet peas, pansies, violas and primrose for fall and winter bloom. And don’t forget hardy perennials like penstemon, gaillardia and iberis. Sow wildflower seeds. It’s also a great time to plant spring bulbs such as crocus, daffodils, hyacinths and tulips. Protect new plantings from insects with Bayer Advanced™ Dual Action Rose & Flower Insect Killer Ready-To-Use. It is the only single product that kills insects immediately on contact and keeps killing by systemic action for a month. One thorough spray saves you time and money.

Plant lawns – You can still start cool-season lawns like Kentucky bluegrass and fescues from sod. In inland California, overseed Bermudagrass lawns with ryegrass or tall fescue to keep them green all winter, but do it soon. For more on lawn planting and overseeding, go here.

Plant trees and shrubs – There is still time for new landscaping. Cooler weather will ease establishment and make sure plants get off to a strong start next spring. Plant new trees and shrubs, including roses from containers. Feed and protect new plantings with Bayer Advanced™ 12-Month Tree & Shrub Protect & Feed Concentrate or Bayer Advanced™ Tree & Shrub Protect & Feed Granules. Water carefully.

Plant vegetables and herbs – In coastal areas, you can still plant quick-growing crops like lettuce, chard and spinach. Also plant hardy herbs such as garlic, oregano, parsley, rosemary and thyme. Protect vegetables listed on the label from insect pests with Bayer Advanced™ PowerForce® Multi-Insect Killer Concentrate, Bayer Advanced™ or Bayer Advanced™ Complete Insect Killer for Gardens Ready-To-Use.

Prepare for winter – Dig, divide and replant perennials. Cut back mums and other spent perennials. Dig and store tender bulbs, such as gladiolas and tuberous begonias. Deadhead flowers. Clean up planting beds, removing debris that may harbor insects. Make compost.

Protect trees and shrubs – Protect valuable trees and shrubs from next year’s insects, including aphids, scale and borers, with Bayer Advanced™ 12-Month Tree & Shrub Protect & Feed Concentrate or Bayer Advanced™ Tree & Shrub Protect & Feed Granules. One application in fall feeds and protects for up to 12 months. Handpick bagworms to reduce next year’s problem.

Rake leaves – Fallen leaves can smother your lawn. Rake often, adding collected leaves to compost pile or using as mulch.

Water gardens – Water less as the weather cools but don't let new transplants, vegetables or annuals dry out. When possible, turn off automatic sprinkler systems watering established plants.

Water lawns – Growth is slowing. Follow local watering guidelines available from water department or cooperative extension office. Water less frequently as the weather cools.