November is an ideal month for the addition of lime to the garden and lawn if needed. Fall applications have the advantage of allowing the lime to react in soil before the start of the next growing season.

The first step is to determine if your soil needs the addition of lime. For a nominal fee, around $10.00, you can get your soil pH tested to determine the acidity or alkalinity. Check with your local garden clubs and county extension services in your state for details.

For each test, gather five or six random samples of 1/2 cup of soil, taken at least 2" below the surface and to a depth of 6". Garden and lawn should be kept separate. A simple garden trowel can be used to collect the samples. It is imperative to use clean sampling tools. Pesticide or fertilizer residues will create misleading results. The sample must not be excessively wet before it goes to the lab. Place the samples in a clean bucket and mix them thoroughly. Place a minimum of 2 cups of soil per sample, and bring them to the testing center or place the samples into a bag or box they supply and mail back.

Another fall activity beneficial to the garden is the addition of leaf mulch. Mulch serves as a barrier between the soil and the heat, cold, and wind. It reduces the alternate freezing and thawing of soils, which can injure the fibrous roots of plants. Mulch also helps to prevent soil erosion by wind and water.

Newly fallen dry leaves need to be shredded by a leaf shredder or a rotary mower before applying to the garden. Unshredded leaves pack down and prevent air and moisture from reaching the soil. (Oak leaves are the exception.) Do not add walnut leaves, as they contain material that affects the growth of certain other plants. Pine needles may also be be used around acid loving plants and bushes.

 Recommended thickness of mulch layers: 2-3 inches for deciduous shrubs, and trees, vegetables, and roses; 3 inches for flower beds and for shallow rooted, acid loving plants.

In the spring the mulch can be removed or incorporated into the soil along with the addition of an organic fertilizer such as bone meal, blood meal, fish emulsion, or manure.

• Clean up garden debris and cut back and remove diseased or infested foliage.
• Check indoor plants to ensure that they are receiving enough water, humidity, and air circulation.
• Give poinsettias and kalanchoes the long night treatment by depriving them or all light from sunset to sunrise.
• Check spider mites and scale on houseplants and treat if necessary.
• Plant garlic before ground freezes.
• Mow lawns to a 2.5-3 inches in height for winter.
• Till unused annual beds to expose overwintering pests to freeze.
• Cut down chrysanthemums after they are killed by frost.
• Rake and compost shredded leaves or use as mulch.
• Continue weeding your planting beds.
• Clean, sharpen and oil your garden tools.
• Finish planting spring flowering bulbs and store harvested seeds in a cool, dry place.
• Drain and store garden hoses.
• Enjoy the holidays.

Composting for your home garden is a win-win situation. You get fertilizer for your garden without buying and hauling costly bags of fertilizer from the store. Your local landfill gets less trash. A good deal all the way around. Let's say you'd like to get started composting but have questions like how long it will be before your compost is usable for fertilizer, and will it make your yard smelly to have a compost container there? What can I put in compost? Here are a few basics to get you started.