The Garden At Rock Cottage by Lance Brilliantine

A Certain Slant of Light

November always reminds me of the poet, Emily Dickinson. She spent most of her adult life living at her family home in Amherst, behind a hedge. The thought of living behind a hedge, protected from the world in an insulated environment seems a desirable destiny at my age.

Her poem that starts "there is a certain slant of light on winter afternoons - that oppresses, like the heft of cathedral tunes," always comes to mind at this time of year, as the shadows seem to grow long across the lawn each afternoon and trail into the forest here in East Hampton.

November is a somber time. The garden season is over, spring bulbs are planted, leaves are raked and on the compost pile; even Halloween is past. My first thought is that there is little to do now except to watch the birds and other critters scurry about for the last bits of food that may sustain them through the uncertain onslaught of cold and snow.

Yet, November is a time full of garden chores. Despite the cold and wet, now is the time to get out to enjoy the crisp air. At this time of year, heavy and medium soil can be dug to amend areas with poor drainage. This can be achieved by digging in gravel or by laying in drains toward a suitable soak away. Cow manure can be also be applied to improve soil quality. If you are lucky enough to have a place to burn leaves and garden debris, the resulting ashes can be dug into the soil to improve nutrients.

Make sure the canes of climbing roses, clematis, and other vining plants are securely fastened to their supports. Winter winds can be treacherous and severely damage unprotected plants, but do not tie canes or stalks so tightly that twine or wire will cut into stems. I recommend using pieces of an old nylon stocking to tie canes, as it will stretch as a plant grows.

Be sure marginal and tender plants are protected from frost. Apply thick mulches of bark, salt hay, or peat to help create a winter blanket that will protect root systems. If you have a fig tree, make sure to mulch well and create a burlap cover over it to prevent it from dying. You might also consider using dark plastic over tender plants during extreme cold times in winter; but be sure to remove this covering when the weather improves.

Mound five or six inches of soil around the bases of roses and dust with a fungicide to help them get through the winter. Be sure to use soil from another area of the garden rather than risk damaging roots by digging around the base of roses.

This month and throughout the next several months trees and shrubs can be transplanted. Most ornamentals and shrubs have entered into dormancy by November, and can be safely dug and replanted. The key to transplanting is to dig a large root ball. Equally important, is getting the plant back into prepared soil as quickly as possible and to be sure to keep roots from drying out over the winter. Large trees or shrubs can also be transplanted, but be sure to sake them to protect them from falling over during the winter. Keep these plants staked until the roots have a chance to develop next season.

As soon as the leaves fall from fruit trees, shade or flowering trees, and other deciduous plants, November is a good time to spray with a dormant oil spray. The spray helps control over-wintering insects and diseases.

Of course, don't forget to feed birds and other small critters that may not be able to find food due to snow on the ground or other causes. Natural food sources will have dried up by this time of year. For only a few dollars you can feed an enormous number of creatures, reduce suffering, and sustain them over winter. You don't have to be an animal enthusiast to enjoy the feeling you get when you have helped the creatures of the forest.

One tip from the Farmer's Almanac: "Keep fruit pits, dry them in a heated oven, and put in a large jar. Over winter, throw a handful of the pits on a fire. They will crackle, send up a bright flame, and fill the room with a delicious aroma."

You can contact Lance Brilliantine with any questions or comments at GardenLance@yahoo.com.

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