November might seem like the time to wind down in the garden, but it’s actually the perfect month to get ahead for the next growing season. By planting the right flowers, vegetables, and fruits now, you can take advantage of the dormant period to ensure that your garden is ready to burst into life when spring arrives. This comprehensive guide will explore what to plant in November, how to care for these plants through the winter, and why early planting can give you a significant head start in your gardening efforts.
The Benefits of Planting in November
Planting in November offers several advantages, particularly in temperate climates like the UK. While the days are shorter and the weather cooler, the soil often retains enough warmth for root development, and there’s usually ample moisture to help plants establish. This early start can lead to stronger, more resilient plants, earlier harvests, and a less hectic spring.
Why November is a Strategic Month for Planting
November’s cooler temperatures and reduced daylight hours signal the end of the growing season for many plants, but they also create ideal conditions for others. During this time, plants enter a dormant or semi-dormant state, which allows them to focus energy on root growth rather than foliage. This rooting period is crucial for certain vegetables, flowers, and fruit trees that will flourish come spring.
Reducing Springtime Pressure
One of the biggest benefits of planting in November is the ability to reduce the workload during the busy spring season. By getting a head start now, you can spread out your gardening tasks, making the spring rush more manageable. This not only saves time but also allows you to focus on other important spring activities, such as planting annuals or preparing your summer garden beds.
Maximizing Garden Space
Planting in November helps you make the most of your garden space year-round. Rather than leaving your beds bare, you can plant crops that will grow slowly over the winter, taking advantage of soil that would otherwise go unused. This efficient use of space leads to a more productive garden and can help improve soil health by preventing erosion and maintaining active soil biology.
Vegetables to Plant in November
November is an excellent time to plant a variety of vegetables that will overwinter and be ready for early harvests in the spring. These crops are typically hardy and can withstand the cooler temperatures, allowing them to establish roots before going dormant for the winter.
1. Garlic
Garlic is one of the easiest crops to plant in November, and it’s a must-have for any kitchen garden. Planting garlic in the fall gives it a head start on root development, which results in larger, healthier bulbs by the time it’s ready to harvest in late spring or early summer.
How to Plant Garlic
- Choosing Varieties: Opt for hardneck garlic varieties like ‘Chesnok Red’ or ‘Music’ for cold climates, or softneck varieties like ‘California Early’ for milder areas.
- Planting Depth and Spacing: Break the garlic bulb into individual cloves. Plant each clove 2 inches deep with the pointed end facing up, spaced 4-6 inches apart, in rows 12 inches apart.
- Care: Mulch the garlic bed with straw or leaves to protect the cloves from frost and to retain soil moisture. Keep the bed weed-free to reduce competition for nutrients.
2. Broad Beans
Broad beans are another excellent crop to plant in November. By sowing them now, you’ll have robust plants that can withstand the winter and produce an early crop in the spring.
How to Plant Broad Beans
- Varieties: Choose hardy varieties like ‘Aquadulce Claudia’ that are specifically bred for autumn sowing.
- Sowing Method: Sow the seeds 2 inches deep and 8 inches apart, with rows spaced 18 inches apart. Broad beans prefer a sunny spot with well-drained soil.
- Protection: Cover the seeds with cloches or fleece to protect them from harsh weather and hungry birds.
3. Peas
Peas can also be sown in November, particularly if you’re growing hardy varieties that can withstand the winter cold. These will establish over winter and produce a crop much earlier than spring-sown peas.
How to Plant Peas
- Varieties: Look for winter-hardy varieties like ‘Kelvedon Wonder’ or ‘Meteor’.
- Sowing Method: Sow the peas 1 inch deep and 2 inches apart, in rows 12 inches apart. Ensure the soil is well-drained, as peas don’t like sitting in waterlogged conditions.
- Protection: Like broad beans, peas benefit from being covered with cloches or a layer of horticultural fleece.
4. Onions
Onions planted in November will establish roots over the winter, allowing them to get a jump start on growth in the spring. This early planting leads to larger bulbs that are ready for harvest in the summer.
How to Plant Onions
- Choosing Varieties: Choose overwintering onion varieties like ‘Senshyu Yellow’ or ‘Radar’.
- Planting Method: Plant onion sets 1 inch deep, spaced 4-6 inches apart, with rows 12 inches apart. The tips of the sets should just be visible above the soil.
- Care: Mulch the bed to protect the sets from frost heave and to retain moisture. Water well after planting, but reduce watering during wet winter months.
5. Spinach
Spinach is a cold-hardy leafy green that can be sown in November for an early spring harvest. It will germinate and grow slowly during the winter, providing fresh greens when other vegetables are just starting to sprout.
How to Plant Spinach
- Varieties: Look for varieties like ‘Giant Winter’ or ‘Matador’, which are bred to withstand cold temperatures.
- Sowing Method: Sow seeds ½ inch deep and 2 inches apart, with rows spaced 12 inches apart. Spinach prefers well-drained soil and a sunny spot.
- Protection: Cover the seedlings with fleece or a cold frame to protect them from frost and to encourage growth during milder winter spells.
Flowers to Plant in November
November is also a great time to plant flowers, particularly those that can establish roots over the winter and provide early color in the spring. By planting now, you can enjoy a garden that comes to life as soon as the weather warms up.
1. Spring-Flowering Bulbs
November is the last chance to plant many spring-flowering bulbs, such as tulips, daffodils, and crocuses. These bulbs need the cold winter months to go through the necessary chilling period before they can bloom.
How to Plant Spring-Flowering Bulbs
- Tulips: Plant tulip bulbs 6-8 inches deep and 4-6 inches apart in well-drained soil. Choose a sunny spot for the best blooms.
- Daffodils: Daffodils should be planted 6 inches deep and 3-6 inches apart. They are more tolerant of partial shade, making them versatile for different garden areas.
- Crocuses: Plant crocuses 3-4 inches deep and 2-3 inches apart. They are perfect for naturalizing in lawns or borders.
2. Wallflowers
Wallflowers are biennial plants that can be planted in November for a beautiful display of fragrant flowers in the spring. They are hardy and can withstand the winter cold, making them ideal for planting now.
How to Plant Wallflowers
- Varieties: Choose traditional varieties like ‘Bowles’s Mauve’ or the newer ‘Sugar Rush’ series, which offer a range of vibrant colors.
- Planting Method: Plant wallflower plugs 6-8 inches apart in well-drained soil. They prefer full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
- Care: Water the plants well after planting and mulch around them to protect their roots from frost.
3. Pansies and Violas
Pansies and violas are winter-hardy flowers that can be planted in November for winter and early spring color. They are perfect for containers, borders, and as underplanting for taller spring bulbs.
How to Plant Pansies and Violas
- Varieties: Look for winter-flowering varieties that are bred to withstand cold weather.
- Planting Method: Plant pansies and violas 6 inches apart in well-drained soil. They do best in full sun but can also thrive in partial shade.
- Care: Water the plants regularly, especially in dry spells, and remove any dead flowers to encourage continuous blooming.
4. Hellebores
Hellebores, also known as the Christmas or Lenten rose, are perennial flowers that bloom in late winter to early spring. Planting them in November allows them to establish before the coldest weather arrives.
How to Plant Hellebores
- Choosing Varieties: Choose varieties like ‘Winter Sunshine’ or ‘Double Ellen’, which are known for their hardiness and beautiful blooms.
- Planting Method: Plant hellebores in well-drained soil, 12-18 inches apart. They prefer partial shade and will thrive under deciduous trees or in shaded borders.
- Care: Mulch around the plants to protect their roots from frost and to retain moisture. Hellebores are relatively low maintenance but benefit from regular watering and occasional feeding.
Fruits to Plant in November
November is an excellent time to plant bare-root fruit trees and bushes. Planting them while they are dormant allows the roots to establish before the growing season begins, giving them a strong start when spring arrives.
1. Bare-Root Fruit Trees
Bare-root fruit trees, such as apples, pears, cherries, and plums, can be planted in November. These trees are lifted from the nursery fields while dormant and are less expensive and easier to plant than container-grown trees.
How to Plant Bare-Root Fruit Trees
- Choosing Varieties: Select varieties that are well-suited to your climate and soil type. Consider disease-resistant varieties to reduce maintenance.
- Planting Method: Dig a hole wide enough to accommodate the root system without bending the roots. The hole should be deep enough so that the graft union (the point where the tree is grafted onto the rootstock) is just above the soil level. Spread the roots out in the hole and backfill with soil, firming it gently around the roots. Water thoroughly.
- Staking and Mulching: Stake the tree to support it while it establishes and mulch around the base to conserve moisture and protect the roots from frost.
2. Bare-Root Fruit Bushes
Bare-root fruit bushes, such as raspberries, blackberries, currants, and gooseberries, are also best planted in November. These bushes will establish over the winter and produce fruit in the following summer.
How to Plant Bare-Root Fruit Bushes
- Choosing Varieties: Choose varieties that are well-suited to your garden conditions and your desired harvest. For example, ‘Joan J’ is a popular thornless raspberry variety, while ‘Ben Connan’ is a high-yielding blackcurrant.
- Planting Method: Dig a hole wide enough to spread the roots out comfortably. The hole should be deep enough so that the soil line of the bush matches the surrounding soil level. Backfill with soil, firming it gently around the roots. Water the bush thoroughly after planting.
- Care: Mulch around the base of the bush to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Prune back the canes to about 8 inches above the ground to encourage new growth.
3. Strawberries
Strawberries can be planted in November for an early summer harvest. Planting now allows the plants to establish roots and begin growing as soon as the weather warms up.
How to Plant Strawberries
- Choosing Varieties: Choose cold-hardy varieties like ‘Honeoye’ or ‘Cambridge Favourite’, which perform well in cooler climates.
- Planting Method: Plant strawberries 18 inches apart in rows spaced 2 feet apart. The crown of the plant (where the leaves meet the roots) should be at soil level.
- Care: Mulch around the plants to protect them from frost and to suppress weeds. Water regularly, and consider covering the plants with a fleece to protect them from extreme cold.
Preparing Your Garden for Winter
In addition to planting, November is the time to prepare your garden for the winter months. Taking these steps now will protect your plants, improve your soil, and ensure that your garden is ready to thrive when spring arrives.
1. Mulching
Mulching is essential in November to protect your plants’ roots from frost and to maintain soil moisture. It also helps suppress winter weeds and can improve the soil as the mulch breaks down.
How to Mulch in November
- Organic Mulch: Use organic materials like straw, leaves, compost, or bark chips to mulch around your plants. Apply a 2-3 inch layer, being careful not to cover the crowns of perennials or the stems of shrubs and trees.
- Timing: Mulch after the ground has cooled but before it freezes. This helps insulate the soil and prevents it from heaving during freeze-thaw cycles.
2. Protecting Tender Plants
Tender plants that are not hardy in your area will need protection to survive the winter. This can include bringing them indoors, covering them with fleece or cloches, 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. Gradually acclimate them to indoor conditions by bringing them in at night and returning them outside during the day for a few days.
- 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. Soil Improvement
Improving your soil in November sets the stage for a successful growing season next year. This can include adding organic matter, adjusting pH levels, and planning for crop rotation.
Steps for Soil Improvement
- Add Organic Matter: Spread a layer of compost, well-rotted manure, or leaf mold over your garden beds. This improves soil structure, increases fertility, and helps retain moisture.
- Adjust pH Levels: Test your soil’s pH and add lime if it’s too acidic or sulfur if it’s too alkaline. These amendments take time to work, so applying them in November gives them a head start.
- Plan Crop Rotation: Plan your crop rotation for next year to prevent the buildup of pests and diseases and to maintain soil fertility.
Conclusion
November is a month of preparation and planting that can set your garden up for success in the coming year. By planting hardy vegetables, spring-flowering bulbs, and bare-root fruit trees and bushes now, you give these plants the time they need to establish strong roots before winter. At the same time, taking steps to protect tender plants, mulch beds, and improve your soil will ensure that your garden is ready to burst into life when spring arrives. With careful planning and a little effort, your November gardening tasks will pay off with a bountiful and beautiful garden next year.
