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| Do you have a gardening question? The UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County can help. Our volunteers are part of the University of California’s Cooperative Extension program, and we are trained to use research-based information to educate our fellow residents on home horticulture, pest management, and sustainable landscape practices specific to our area. Our monthly “Ask a Master Gardener” column will answer your questions and offer tips. Have a question? Email lifestyle@embarcaderopublishing.com |
Is it better to dig up and store dahlias or leave them undisturbed?
In our mild winters, you can leave dahlia tubers in the ground if the soil drains well and doesn’t become waterlogged during the rainy season. Once cold weather hits and the foliage yellows or dies back, cut the stems to about 4 inches above the soil line and add mulch. However, you may want to dig up, divide, and thin tuber clumps every two to three years to prevent overcrowding, encourage better blooms, and keep the plants vigorous. Share tubers with neighbors or use them to expand your own dahlia beds. Learn more on growing dahlias.
November gardening tips
Keep aphids off your broccoli
You may be excited about your fall broccoli, but so are aphids. Aphids pierce soft new growth with their sucking mouthparts. Fortunately, you don’t need harsh pesticides to protect your crop; keeping populations low is often enough to save your harvest. Check the plants frequently for aphids. Spray water onto plants to wash the aphids off. Choose a slow-release fertilizer to keep the plant nourished without triggering sudden spurts of soft growth that aphids love.
Plant spring bulbs now
Bulbs that bloom in the spring are planted into the ground in the fall. These include those that are technically corms, rhizomes, tubers or tuberous roots in addition to true bulbs. Examples are babiana, crocus, daffodils, freesia, hyacinths, iris, ixia, sparaxis and tulips. They can go into the ground in groups, into pots or be tucked in among other plants. Arrange the bulbs in informal clusters – some gardeners just toss the bulbs into prepared soil and dig them in where they fall! Put them in a place that doesn’t stay wet because they will rot with too much water. It is important that the soil has good drainage.
UPCOMING GARDENING EVENTS
UC Master Gardener gardening events are taking place throughout the county this month. Here are a few, with more listed on our events page.
Fall in Love with California Natives – Saturday, Nov. 7, Palo Alto
Seed Packets Demystified – Tuesday, Nov. 10, Mountain View
All About Soil – Wednesday, Nov. 11, San Jose
California Native, Succulent Sale – Saturday, Nov. 14, San Jose
Growing Winter Vegetables in Containers – Saturday, Nov.14, Gilroy
The Thrifty Table: Creating Beautiful Holiday Centerpieces – Saturday, Nov. 14, San Jose
The Thrifty Table: Creating Beautiful Holiday Centerpieces – Saturday, Nov. 14, Sunnyvale
Planning and Planting a Little Fruit Orchard – Sunday, Nov. 15, Palo Alto
Succulent & California Native Plant Sale – Thursday, Nov. 19, San Jose
The Thrifty Table: Creating Beautiful Holiday Centerpieces – Tuesday, Dec. 8, Saratoga
Be sure to plant them with the pointy side up because new growth will come from that point. A rule of thumb is to plant them twice as deep as the diameter of the bulb but follow instructions for the specific flowers. Water them in at planting time.
Here are more tips for growing bulbs, including which should be planted now and which should wait for winter and early spring.
Figure out what’s digging up your garden
Whether it is a rat eating your fruit, a ground squirrel digging holes, or something else, these animals are often looking for food, shelter or a nesting spot, which can cause more damage to your garden. Luckily, the University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management program has a vertebrate pest page that provides an overview of common critter pests as well as how to manage them. If you need help identifying what vertebrate pest you have, visit the Wildlife Pest Identification Tool, which helps you narrow down the pest based on signs such as tracks or damage.
Would you like to ask a UC Master Gardener about a plant problem? Submit questions to our Help Desk online. You can also subscribe to our monthly Tips and Events newsletter. San Mateo residents can also find gardening advice on the UC Master Gardeners of San Mateo and San Francisco website. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok
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