Three steps to protect your garden from a wet winter

Vander Giessen Nursery manager David Vos says the first frost of this month marks the deadline for a specific set of yard tasks in Lynden and the surrounding area. These steps focus on saving dahlia tubers and preparing lawns for the cold months ahead. Voss notes that while long-range forecasts suggest a warmer, drier winter due to El Niño, local gardeners should not rely on those averages.

The primary task for November is lifting and storing dahlia tubers. Voss explains that growers often disagree on the best method, but successful storage requires three specific actions. Gardeners should cut down the plants and dig out the tubers. They must then wash the tubers thoroughly to remove dirt and insect eggs. The washed tubers should dry for several hours or a full day, but they must not sit directly on concrete, which can draw moisture out of the plant tissue.

After drying, Voss recommends disinfecting the tubers with a fungicide. He prefers sulfur dust, though copper dust or even Lysol spray can work. The goal is to cover the tubers completely to kill disease spores that might spread during winter. Storage medium is less important than humidity control. Wood shavings and peat moss are common choices, but the storage space must be cool and above freezing. If the air is too humid, mold will form; if it is too dry, the tubers will wither.

Voss advises experimenting with storage locations if a previous method failed. Every garage or crawlspace has different conditions. He notes that neighbors who successfully overwinter their plants will have cuttings to share in the spring, so a failed storage attempt is not the end of the line for the collection.

Beyond tubers, Voss suggests protecting tender evergreens like rhododendrons, pieris, and nandina from winter burn. These plants can lose leaves or develop brown tips after cold northeasterly winds. He recommends applying Bonide Wilt Stop to seal moisture into the leaves. This treatment protects against the freeze-drying effects of windstorms. The spray should be applied on a sunny day to be effective.

Lawn care also requires attention in November. Dry leaves blowing across the grass are harmless, but rain-soaked leaves can smother the turf. Homeowners should rake or mow over piles of leaves before they become matted. If the lawn has not received a winterizing fertilizer since September, it is not too late to feed it now. Voss typically applies fertilizer after his final mow in November.

Winterizer-type fertilizers, such as Scotts Turf Builder Winterguard, are designed to build strong root systems during the dormant season. This preparation helps the grass recover quickly when temperatures rise in March. Voss describes late fall fertilizing as one of the most effective ways to keep a lawn healthy through the year.

The month of November also brings Thanksgiving, which offers a chance to reflect on the gardening season. Whether it is a first year or an eightieth, the slower pace of winter allows gardeners to look back on the growing season. Voss encourages readers to enjoy the quiet time in the garden and the memories of the past months.

Vander Giessen Nursery Inc. is located in Lynden. Voss writes the monthly In Bloom column for the Lynden Tribune, where he shares these seasonal tips with local readers.