November is really a working month.  There is always lots to do to get ready for the winter and get started for the spring.

Yard – Let’s get the pre-emerge going for those dreaded stickers.  Atrazine applications are getting late, so get with the program and start spraying or spreading the granules.

Be sure to turn off your sprinkler system for the winter even during the drought.  This will save you a lot of misery if it freezes this winter and bursts something important.

Rake all the leaves around your trees and try to mulch or remove them.  We can’t burn them this year because of the burn ban.  Randy likes to mulch them with his lawn mower.  It gives him an extra last ride on the mower for the spring.  Don’t forget to let the kids play a little before the mulching.

It’s time to plant pansies and the decorative cabbage and kale plants.  Let’s remember to put a little of osmocote under them.  Get your bulbs ready for spring.  Use a little of bone meal with them.  If you can find some onions it is time to get them in the ground.  Use a little of 10-20-10 with the onions.

One last thing is to enjoy this beautiful weather and relax some.  The holiday season is coming soon.  Christmas and Thanksgiving will be here before you know it.

(Mitzi Thomas owns Minden Farm & Garden LLC. Watch for her column on Fridays in Webster Parish Journal. Email Mitzi questions at  mitzithomas40@yahoo.com.)

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