It’s already November, and if you look around our area, you can see that some trees are adjusting to the cooler temperatures and are changing color and others are starting to push out spurts of new growth. This time of year, we get all kinds of questions, and we are glad to provide a wealth of information to help you and your yard thrive this season. Many homeowners are asking whether they should continue watering their landscape in November and whether it’s a good time to plant trees. Fact is, this time of the year is an ideal time to plant trees and is also an excellent time to start planting winter vegetables!

This time of the year, watering and fertilizing tend to be the most overlooked practices by homeowners. It’s easy to see why people might feel like their trees and plants are getting the right amount of water and fertilizer. After all, everything is pushing out new growth and seems to be growing well. However, this is a big misconception. In other words, you can continue watering your plants!

To Do List Before the Winter Chill Sets In:

 Since it’s November, it’s the time to prepare your garden and lawn for the cold winter months. Below are some things you can do to ensure that your trees and plants thrive throughout winter.

Winter Watering: Yes, the weather is getting cooler, so it is important to water less often and doing this allows trees, plants, and grass to develop strong, deep roots so that it will encourage more growth when spring arrives. Watering less can also create a yard that is less susceptible to disease and insect infestation. It is a good practice to water each time deeply, and it is also smart to know that different plants will have different water frequency requirements. We know it might sound overwhelming, so you can download our winter watering guide here -->    so that you can have a better idea on how to take care of your landscape the right way!

Fertilization: Give your landscape one last push through the winter by fertilizing everything! Palms, shade trees, evergreen trees, flowering trees, and even dormant trees will benefit from fertilization so that they can pull through the winter and doing this will help them flourish once spring comes around! We have custom blended fertilizers available specially formatted for our soil and weather conditions. We recommend using our brand of fertilizers so that you can achieve the best results. They can be purchased at all Moon Valley Nurseries locations and are also available for purchase online here!

Vegetable Gardens: No doubt about it, growing-your-own food is the best, and fall, and winter is an ideal time to be planting winter veggies. We love to plant cold weather vegetables such as kale, broccoli, spinach, carrots, cauliflower and of course tomatoes and jalapeños! Start a vegetable garden now and be sure to fertilize them once a month while the veggies are growing. You will also want to water them regularly and just be sure to give them a chance to dry out between each watering cycle because doing this helps them to develop strong, healthy roots.

Our Experts Recommend Planting These Trees This Month

Tipu Tree (Tipuana tipu): Homeowners love this semi-evergreen tree for many reasons! For instance, if it’s shade you want, you really cannot go wrong with this medium to large size tree because it can provide massive amounts of shade! In fact, when properly trimmed, it can provide a perfect spot to rest under peacefully! It’s also an attractive tree featuring feathery, bright bluish green foliage and from late spring to early summer, it puts on a spectacular show of golden blooms! Drought tolerance, beauty, shade – you get all this and more!

Brazilian Pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius): Waterwise trees such as this beautiful evergreen are a welcome sight in any Southwest landscape, especially during those hot sunny days when we’re scrambling to find some shade. That’s because they have a thick umbrella-shaped canopy that provides lots of shade. Yes, it’s a great summertime tree, and it’s also a show-stopping tree during the winter when it produces pinkish colored fruits in clusters that blend in perfectly with its dark green foliage.

California Pepper Tree (Schinus molle): These sun-loving trees have a fast growth rate and are evergreen so that they keep their attractive bright green, fern-like leaves and lush green foliage all year long! These are favorites in any Southwestern landscape, and if you are looking for a tree that provides shade, you’ll love it! Families are sure to appreciate this tree too. Mature multi-trunk specimens are ideal for climbing, tying a tire swing, or even building a tree house!

Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinensis): If you dream of seeing New England-like fall colors in your yard, the Chinese Pistache is one that brings it! These deciduous trees have a clean, dark green umbrella-shaped canopy that provides shade. And in the fall, the leaves go from luminous orange to red and sometimes yellow. We like to plant them in rows, where they can be used as a natural privacy screen that can block unwanted views in style! In the desert areas, these are noted as being one of the brightest green trees you can find!

Japanese Blueberry (Elaeocarpus decipiens): Homeowners looking for a dependable shade tree, windbreak or privacy hedge will want to plant Japanese Blueberry. These upright growing trees have an elegant look, with bronze-colored leaves emerging in the spring and gradually maturing to their rich, shiny dark green color. Their lush foliage adds year-round interest, and they are also an excellent topiary tree for use in formal landscapes!

We love this time of year, and we are proud to offer the best quality trees at the best price anywhere! We do it all! In fact, Moon Valley Nurseries is your one-stop shop for all your landscape needs. Our nursery experts have decades worth of experience so that they can assist you with any project or questions you may have. As we get ready to enter winter, this is the time to dust off our sweaters and jackets, and it’s also the time to remember to change your watering schedule. Be sure to map a Moon Valley Nurseries locations here.