November 2021

Cut back on watering your lawns, trees and shrubs, and reset your automatic sprinklers and drip systems as the days get shorter and cooler.
Deep water established trees, shrubs and garden beds.
Regularly water houseplants. Do not let houseplants dry out.
Continue watering your plants, even as the temperature decreases, because dry plants are more easily damaged by freezing temperatures. Remember: New plantings will require more water the first year.

Seed warm-season lawns with native grass seed mixes such as Buffalo or Blue Grama.
Refresh your container gardens with annual flowering plants.
Mow established lawns weekly.
Plant fruit trees: apple, apricot, cherry, pecan, plum, pear and pomegranate.
Refresh mulches as needed.
Divide and transplant iris, peonies and other spring blooms as they go dormant.
Plant spring wildflowers now.
Order spring-blooming bulbs. Plant spring-blooming bulbs as soon as you get them
Plant cool-season annuals, such as pansies and snapdragons, when the temperature begins to decrease.
Plant perennials. Divide and replace overcrowded perennial beds. Remember to apply a layer of organic matter to the new bed.
Reseed over existing cool-season lawns.
Deadhead spent blooms to encourage flowering.
Once leaves begin to fall, be sure to remove them from your lawn, as wet leaves can block sunlight and increase the chance of disease.
Leave the foliage on your perennials to help insulate them from the harsh winter conditions.

Check for pinon needle scale and spray with malathion if you see them.
Keep an eye out for aphids, spider mites and other pests. Eliminate as needed until the first frost.
Remove any vegetable plants that have stopped producing to reduce the chance of insects and disease.
Garlic and onions are ready when their tops start to bend over. Remove the tops after they’ve dried and store in a cool place.

Plant herbs such as thyme, lavender and mint.
Harvest vegetables as they ripen.
Plant broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Chinese cabbage, carrots, collards, lettuce and other cool-season vegetables that will winter over.

Clean and winterize ponds, waterfalls and fountains.
Inspect and repair drip irrigation and sprinkler systems as needed.
Hang a fresh chile ristra for a perfect New Mexican autumn. Add pansies and gourds for an extra pop of color.
Bring in any houseplants to avoid frost.
Prune deciduous trees, but only for structural and safety purposes. Do not prune fruit trees until February or March.