November Garden Checklist
Preparing your garden for winter
As the temperatures drop and days shorten, there’s lots to do to prepare your garden for the cold months ahead. Here’s a handy checklist to keep your garden in top shape this November.
Planting
November is ideal for planting tulip bulbs while the plant is dormant and the soil is cooler. Tulips thrive when planted deep with good drainage—pots with gravel are perfect. They require little winter care and will bloom beautifully in spring. It’s also time to plant garlic, shallots, and onions. These crops prefer well-draining soil or raised beds.
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Harvesting
With the growing season slowing down, harvest any late-season crops like pumpkins and squash, and store them in a cool, dry spot. Protect any remaining salad crops by covering them with cloches to prevent frost and extend their harvesting period. Pick and freeze any remaining herbs like rosemary, thyme & sage now – ready to defrost and use over winter. If you have any summer-flowering plants you’d like to replant next spring, collect seeds from the flower heads now – this can save money on seeds come spring!
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Winter Preparation
Frost is one of the biggest threats to plants over winter. For those with a greenhouse, you can line the walls with bubble wrap to keep the temperature stable. To protect any delicate plants outside your greenhouse, cover them with cloches or frost covers. For any outdoor perennials, apply a layer of mulch around the roots to shield them from frost.
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Tidying & Pruning
Clear away old climbers like sweet peas & green beans from their supports to reduce pests, and save time in spring. Remove any dead plants or weeds to prevent diseases taking hold over winter. If your roses have suffered from black spot, prune and bin any affected leaves and avoid composting them to prevent the disease from spreading any further.
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Lawn Maintenance
Although your lawn won’t be growing much over winter, now is a great time to aerate and feed the grass to help it recover from summer use and keep it going over winter. Rake fallen leaves regularly to keep them from causing any damage to your lawn – those leaves can then be used as mulch elsewhere in the garden!
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Garden Furniture
While your garden furniture isn’t in use, keep it protected from the elements with a cover.
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Wildlife Care
Winter can be a tough time for wildlife. Bird feeders & fresh water can be lifesavers for birds, especially when natural water sources freeze over. Similarly, if you have hedgehogs or other small creatures visiting your garden, consider buying a shelter or leaving out a small pile of leaves to give them somewhere safe to hibernate.
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By following these simple steps in November, you can ensure your garden is well-prepared to weather the winter. Happy gardening!