UNH Extension

November is here, and the gardening season is winding down across New Hampshire. But before the ground freezes, there are still a few things you can do to prepare for winter!

Here are a few November garden reminders from UNH Extension:

Finish putting your garden to bed and protect vulnerable trees and shrubs before winter arrives.

Clean and store garden tools. Remove soil and debris, and sharpen and oil cutting tools as needed. Drain garden hoses and store them somewhere they won't freeze.

Check your houseplants for pests like aphids, spider mites, and scale, especially if they spent the summer outdoors. Address any problems before they spread to other plants.

Plant any remaining spring-flowering bulbs, like tulips and daffodils, while the soil is still workable and hasn't frozen.

A little work now can help protect your plants and equipment through the winter and make things easier when spring arrives.

To stay up to date on seasonal gardening tips, subscribe to our Granite State Gardening newsletter. Find the link in the comments.

Did you know October is one of the peak months for tick submissions to UNH's testing service?

Since April 2025, the University of New Hampshire has offered a tick testing service that helps New Hampshire residents better understand potential risks following a tick bite. Residents can submit a tick for pathogen testing, with results typically emailed within three days.

So far, roughly 30% of submitted ticks have carried the bacterium that causes Lyme disease, and about 40% have carried at least one pathogen. Finding a pathogen in a tick doesn't necessarily mean it was transmitted through a bite, but the results can help inform healthcare decisions.

For Wakefield resident Elyse Schappert, the service provides reassurance as she raises her young daughter to enjoy the outdoors, just as she did growing up.

Beyond individual testing, UNH researchers and Extension specialists are working to better understand tick-borne diseases and share practical information about preventing bites and reducing risks.

Learn more about UNH's tick testing service at the link in comments.

Things we're ghosting this October at UNH Extension. 👻

Raking up every fallen leaf.

Planting invasive species.

Skipping the soil test.

Overwatering houseplants.

Did we miss anything?

Happy !! 🎃

that there is actually no pumpkin in "pumpkin pie" fillings used for pies?!

It's actually winter squash, or a blend of winter squashes like butternut and hubbard. 🥧

At UNH Extension and the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station, researchers and specialists conduct pumpkin and squash variety trials to help New Hampshire growers identify cultivars that thrive in our climate.

Their work supports local farms, strengthens the state’s food systems, and ensures that fresh, flavorful fall produce keeps filling our pies for years to come.

Q: How much of my garden should I clean up in the fall? 🍂

Probably less than you think! While there are good reasons to clean up parts of your garden in the fall, there's no need to cut everything back or remove every leaf from your yard.

A good approach is to focus on removing plant material that could cause problems next year while leaving some healthy stems, seedheads and leaves behind for winter.

Remove diseased plant material. Clearing away infected leaves and stems can help reduce disease problems next year.

Leave healthy perennial stems and seedheads. Seedheads can provide food for birds, while standing stems offer overwintering habitat for beneficial insects. You can always clean these plants up next spring.

Leave some leaves. Fallen leaves can act as mulch, help protect the soil and provide overwintering habitat for insects and other wildlife.

Keep thick layers of leaves off your lawn. While leaves can be helpful in garden beds, a thick layer left on turf can cause problems. Mow over a light layer of leaves or move excess leaves somewhere else in your yard.

Clean up your vegetable garden. Remove badly diseased plants and old fruits and vegetables. Healthy plant material can usually be composted.

Remember, fall cleanup doesn't have to mean making your garden perfectly tidy. Focus on removing what could cause problems next year while leaving some healthy plant material behind for winter!

To stay up to date on seasonal gardening tips and answers to common yard and garden questions, be sure to subscribe to the Granite State Gardening newsletter! Link in comments.

Interested in learning more about the forests in our communities? 🌳🍂

Join forester, ecologist and bestselling author Ethan Tapper for two public talks in New Hampshire this weekend!

Tapper, author of How to Love a Forest: The Bittersweet Work of Tending a Changing World, will explore the people, places and practices that help us care for our forests and why it matters.

Friday, October 23 | Keene, NH
3–5 pm at Stonewall Farm

Saturday, October 24 | Concord, NH
1:30–3:30 pm at the Society for the Protection of NH Forests Conservation Center

Saturday's event, How to Love an Urban Forest, is presented in connection with the UNH Natural Resource Stewardship Program, with ticket options starting at $10.

Space is limited, and advance registration is recommended for Saturday's talk.

Learn more and register for the Concord event at the link in comments!

Fall foliage isn't the only thing peaking in New Hampshire this October! 🍂🕷️

While cooler temperatures might make you think tick activity is slowing down, adult blacklegged ticks (commonly known as deer ticks) are actually most active in October and November.

As you tackle fall yard cleanup or spend time outdoors enjoying the foliage, UNH Extension has a few tips to help reduce tick encounters:

Be strategic about leaving the leaves. Leaf litter can provide favorable habitat for ticks, especially in cool, moist areas. Consider clearing leaves from paths, play areas and other frequently used spaces.

Keep wood and brush piles away from frequently used spaces. Stack firewood neatly in a dry, sunny spot, away from the house when possible.

Create a buffer. A roughly three-foot-wide strip of wood chips, gravel or mulch between wooded areas and lawns, patios or play areas can help create conditions less favorable to ticks.

And don't forget the basics: use repellents, wear protective clothing, check yourself and your pets for ticks, and remove ticks promptly.

Learn more about reducing tick encounters in your yard with advice from UNH Extension's Shyloh Favreau. Link in comments!

What's the science behind your favorite fall pumpkins? 🎃🍂

From classic jack-o'-lanterns to colorful, oddly shaped gourds, there's a lot more to pumpkins than meets the eye!

On a recent episode of UNH Extension's Shared Soil podcast, UNH College of Life Sciences and Agriculture professor and plant breeder Chris Hernandez shares how the university's long-running cucurbit breeding program has helped shape the pumpkins and squash we see today.

A few things you might not know:

Pumpkins and zucchini can be the same species! In fact, some of those unusual squash and pumpkins that pop up in compost piles may be the result of cross-pollination.

Developing a new pumpkin variety takes time. According to Hernandez, it can take five to ten years to develop a new variety, and many ornamental pumpkin varieties have genetics that trace back to UNH's breeding program.

Pumpkin growing comes with challenges. From soil-borne diseases to high temperatures, UNH researchers are working to develop varieties that can better withstand challenging growing conditions.

Whether you're carving, decorating or picking out pumpkins at your local farm stand, there's plenty of science behind this fall favorite!

Listen to the latest episode of Shared Soil to learn more about UNH's cucurbit breeding program and the research behind your pumpkins. Link in comments!

New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station

Looking for lumber for your next project? 🪵

Stop by the UNH Lumber Sale tomorrow, Saturday, October 17, from 9 am to noon!

📍 248 Mast Road, Durham, NH.

Rough green and air-dried lumber will be available for purchase at the following prices:

Softwood: $0.65 per board foot
Hardwood: $1.00 per board foot

We hope to see you there!

Update: There will be another lumber sale 9-noon on Saturday, 11/14 at the same location.