As autumn transitions into winter, November is a crucial month in the gardening calendar. While many might think that the gardening season is over, there is still plenty to do to prepare your garden for the colder months and ensure a strong start in spring. This guide will cover the essential gardening tasks for November, including planting, pruning, and harvesting, as well as tips for protecting your garden from the winter chill.
The Importance of November Gardening
November might seem like a quiet month in the garden, but it’s actually a time of preparation and maintenance that sets the stage for success in the following year. The tasks you complete now can help protect your plants from winter damage, improve soil health, and even extend your harvest into the colder months.
Why November is a Key Month
In many regions, November marks the last chance to get certain tasks done before winter fully sets in. The days are shorter, and the temperatures are dropping, but the soil is often still workable, and many plants are in a dormant or semi-dormant state, making this an ideal time for planting and pruning.
Extending the Harvest
With careful planning, you can extend the harvest season into November and even beyond. Root vegetables like carrots and parsnips are at their sweetest after the first frost, and brassicas like cabbage and kale can continue to produce well into the colder months.
Preparing for Winter
November is also the time to prepare your garden for winter. This includes protecting tender plants from frost, improving soil fertility, and making sure that your tools and equipment are ready for the next growing season.
Planting in November
While many plants are entering dormancy in November, there are still plenty of opportunities to plant. This is the perfect time to plant certain vegetables, bulbs, and even trees and shrubs that will establish roots over the winter and burst into growth in the spring.
1. Planting Garlic and Onions
Garlic and onions are hardy crops that thrive when planted in the autumn. By planting them in November, you give them a head start on root development, leading to larger, healthier bulbs when it’s time to harvest in the summer.
How to Plant Garlic and Onions
- Garlic: Choose healthy, disease-free cloves from a reputable supplier. Plant each clove 2 inches deep with the pointed end up, spaced 4-6 inches apart. Cover with soil and mulch to protect from frost.
- Onions: Plant onion sets 1 inch deep, with the tips just visible above the soil. Space them 4-6 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart. Mulch the bed to keep the soil temperature stable and reduce weed competition.
2. Sowing Broad Beans and Peas
Broad beans and peas can be sown in November for an early spring crop. These legumes are hardy and can establish themselves over the winter, providing a welcome harvest when little else is ready.
How to Sow Broad Beans and Peas
- Broad Beans: Sow broad beans 2 inches deep and 8 inches apart, with rows spaced 18 inches apart. Choose a sunny, sheltered spot and protect young plants with fleece if frost is expected.
- Peas: Sow peas 1 inch deep and 2 inches apart, in rows 12 inches apart. Like broad beans, peas benefit from protection in their early stages, so consider using cloches or fleece.
3. Planting Spring-Flowering Bulbs
November is the last chance to plant spring-flowering bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and crocuses. Planting them now ensures they get the necessary cold period to trigger blooming in the spring.
How to Plant Spring Bulbs
- Tulips: Plant tulip bulbs 6-8 inches deep in well-drained soil. Space them 4-6 inches apart in clusters for a dramatic effect.
- Daffodils: Daffodils should be planted 6 inches deep and 3-6 inches apart. They are more tolerant of partial shade, making them ideal for underplanting in woodland areas.
- Crocuses: Plant crocus bulbs 3-4 inches deep and 2-3 inches apart. These early bloomers are perfect for naturalizing in lawns or along borders.
4. Planting Bare-Root Trees and Shrubs
November is an excellent time to plant bare-root trees and shrubs. Planting them while they are dormant allows them to establish strong root systems before the growing season begins.
How to Plant Bare-Root Trees and Shrubs
- Site Selection: Choose a location with well-drained soil and adequate sunlight. Dig a hole wide enough to spread out the roots without bending them, and deep enough so that the graft union is just above the soil line.
- Planting: Place the tree or shrub in the hole, spread out the roots, and backfill with soil. Water thoroughly and mulch around the base to retain moisture and protect the roots from frost.
- Staking: Stake young trees to provide support while they establish. Use a flexible tie to avoid damaging the bark.
Pruning in November
Pruning is an essential task in November as many plants are entering dormancy. Pruning now helps shape the plants, removes dead or diseased wood, and encourages healthy growth in the spring.
1. Pruning Fruit Trees
Pruning fruit trees in November helps them produce better fruit the following year. Removing dead, damaged, or diseased branches also improves air circulation, reducing the risk of fungal infections.
How to Prune Fruit Trees
- Apples and Pears: Prune these trees to maintain an open structure, removing any crossing or rubbing branches. Aim to create a goblet shape, which allows light and air to reach the center of the tree.
- Plums and Cherries: These trees are best pruned in summer, but light pruning in November to remove dead or damaged wood is acceptable. Avoid heavy pruning, as it can increase the risk of silver leaf disease.
2. Pruning Roses
Roses benefit from a light pruning in November to tidy them up before winter. This also reduces the risk of wind damage over the winter months.
How to Prune Roses
- Hybrid Teas and Floribundas: Cut back stems by about one-third to prevent wind rock, and remove any dead or diseased wood. Prune to an outward-facing bud to encourage an open shape.
- Climbing Roses: Remove any weak or crossing stems and tie in new shoots to prevent them from being damaged by wind. Cut back the side shoots to two or three buds.
3. Pruning Perennials
Cutting back perennials in November helps tidy the garden and prevents pests and diseases from overwintering in the dead foliage.
How to Prune Perennials
- Herbaceous Perennials: Cut back perennials like peonies, delphiniums, and phlox to just above ground level. Compost the healthy material, but dispose of any diseased foliage.
- Ornamental Grasses: Some gardeners prefer to leave grasses standing for winter interest, but if you decide to cut them back, do so in November. Cut them back to about 6 inches from the ground.
Harvesting in November
Even as the weather cools, there are still plenty of crops to harvest in November. Root vegetables, brassicas, and late-season greens are at their peak, and with the right care, you can continue to enjoy fresh produce through the month.
1. Harvesting Root Vegetables
Root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and beets are at their sweetest after the first frost. November is the perfect time to harvest these crops.
How to Harvest Root Vegetables
- Carrots: Pull carrots when they reach their desired size. If the ground is too hard, use a garden fork to gently lift them out.
- Parsnips: Parsnips can be left in the ground until you’re ready to use them, as they continue to sweeten with cold weather. Use a fork to lift them carefully to avoid damaging the roots.
- Beets: Harvest beets when they are about the size of a tennis ball. Larger beets can become woody, so it’s best to harvest them before they get too big.
2. Harvesting Brassicas
Brassicas like cabbage, kale, and Brussels sprouts thrive in cooler weather and can be harvested well into November.
How to Harvest Brassicas
- Cabbage: Cut cabbages when the heads are firm and fully formed. If you leave the base and roots in the ground, they may produce a secondary crop of smaller heads.
- Kale: Harvest kale leaves as needed, starting with the oldest leaves first. Kale is incredibly hardy and will continue to produce throughout the winter.
- Brussels Sprouts: Harvest Brussels sprouts from the bottom of the stalk upwards as they reach about 1 inch in diameter. The top leaves can also be cooked and eaten like cabbage.
3. Harvesting Late-Season Greens
Leafy greens like spinach, Swiss chard, and winter lettuces can still be harvested in November. These crops often benefit from the cooler temperatures, which enhance their flavor.
How to Harvest Late-Season Greens
- Spinach: Harvest spinach leaves as they reach a usable size. Cut the outer leaves first to encourage new growth from the center.
- Swiss Chard: Cut individual leaves from the outer part of the plant. Chard is very cold-tolerant and will continue producing until heavy frosts.
- Winter Lettuce: Harvest leaves as needed, or cut the entire head when it reaches the desired size. Protect the plants with fleece if hard frost is forecasted.
Protecting Your Garden in November
As winter approaches, it’s important to take steps to protect your garden from the cold, wind, and frost. This will help your plants survive the winter and come back strong in the spring.
1. Mulching
Applying mulch in November helps insulate the soil, protect plant roots from freezing, and conserve moisture. It also helps prevent soil erosion and suppresses winter weeds.
How to Mulch in November
- Organic Mulch: Use organic materials like shredded leaves, straw, or bark chips. Apply a 2-3 inch layer around the base of plants, being careful not to cover the crowns.
- Timing: Mulch after the first hard frost, when the ground has cooled but before it freezes. This helps stabilize soil temperatures and reduces the risk of frost heave.
2. Protecting Tender Plants
Tender plants that are not hardy in your region will need extra protection to survive the winter. This might involve moving them indoors, covering them, or insulating them with mulch.
Steps to Protect Tender Plants
- Bring Indoors: Move tender perennials and potted plants indoors or to a greenhouse before the first frost. Acclimate them gradually to indoor conditions to reduce stress.
- Covering: Use fleece, cloches, or cold frames to cover tender plants left in the garden. This provides insulation and protects them from frost and wind.
- Mulching: Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of tender perennials and shrubs to insulate their roots and protect them from the cold.
3. Preparing Garden Tools and Equipment
Before storing your garden tools and equipment for the winter, take the time to clean, sharpen, and maintain them. This will ensure they are in good condition and ready to use when spring arrives.
Steps for Winterizing Garden Tools
- Cleaning: Remove soil and debris from your tools using a wire brush or scraper. Wash them with warm, soapy water and dry thoroughly to prevent rust.
- Sharpening: Use a sharpening stone or file to sharpen the edges of your pruners, shears, and hoes. Sharp tools make cleaner cuts and reduce the risk of damaging plants.
- Oiling: Apply a light coat of oil to metal parts to prevent rust. Linseed oil is ideal for wooden handles to keep them from drying out and cracking.
Conclusion
November is a month of transition in the garden, where the tasks you complete now can make a significant difference in the success of your garden next year. Whether you’re planting garlic and onions, pruning fruit trees, or harvesting the last of your vegetables, every action you take helps prepare your garden for the winter months and sets the stage for a productive spring. By focusing on planting, pruning, and harvesting in November, you can enjoy the benefits of a well-prepared garden that is ready to thrive when the growing season returns.
