As autumn winds down, November becomes the perfect month to prepare your garden for winter while laying the foundation for a vibrant spring. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to do, from planting bulbs to protecting trees, so you can enjoy a thriving garden year-round.
Planting for a Springtime Display
Spring Bulbs
It’s not too late to plant spring-blooming bulbs like tulips, daffodils, crocuses, and hyacinths. Make sure the ground isn’t frozen, and choose firm, healthy bulbs for the best results. Indoors, paper-white narcissus planted by mid-November will bloom just in time for Christmas.
Display Florist’s Mums
While florist’s mums aren’t winter-hardy, they make cheerful potted displays. End-of-season sales are a great time to pick up some for your indoor decor.
Mulching and Winter Protection
Perennials and Shrubs
After the ground freezes, mulch perennial beds and shrubs like azaleas and rhododendrons with materials such as marsh hay, chopped oak leaves, or pine needles. However, avoid heavy mulches on self-sowing annuals.
Strawberries and Asparagus
Protect strawberries by mulching with 2–4 inches of straw or marsh hay after the ground freezes. Similarly, mulch asparagus beds with straw or chopped leaves to insulate crowns from frost.
Roses and Trees
For roses in colder zones (Zone 5 and below), wrap hybrid teas in burlap or create collars with chicken wire, filling them with straw or chopped leaves. Heap loose soil or compost at the base for added insulation. Wrap trunks of young or fruit-bearing trees with protective materials to prevent sunscald and animal damage.
Garden Cleanup and Maintenance
Beds and Bulbs
Clear out garden beds by removing annuals and cutting back most perennials after the first frost. Leave plants like sedum and ornamental grasses for winter interest. Dig up tender bulbs such as gladiolus, dahlias, and cannas for indoor storage in a cool, dry place.
Lawns and Leaves
Give your lawn one last mow, lowering the blade by half an inch. Rake fallen leaves from lawns to prevent suffocating grass but allow them to collect around shrubs for natural protection.
Tool Care and Storage
Garden Tools
Clean, repair, and oil metal tools to prevent rust. Sharpen blades or send them for professional sharpening. Drain and clean gas-powered equipment like mowers and tillers before storing them for winter.
Hoses and Planters
Remove and drain garden hoses to prevent freezing damage. Store hoses indoors. Clean out planters and window boxes, and fill them with seasonal greens or berries for a festive touch.
Prepping the Garden for Next Season
Soil and Pruning
Test soil if you haven’t recently to ensure it’s primed for spring planting. Prune hydrangeas, grapevines, and summer-bearing raspberry and blackberry canes. Dormant pruning for other brambles can wait until late winter.
Final Harvests
Gather hardy vegetables like Brussels sprouts, kale, and Chinese cabbage before temperatures dip below 25°F. Harvest and mulch root vegetables such as carrots and parsnips for continued winter digging.
Watering Tips for Winter Health
Before the ground freezes, deeply water trees, shrubs, and evergreens. This helps prevent winter burn and ensures they have adequate moisture through the colder months.
A Few Extra November Tasks
- Window Boxes: Add seasonal decorations with greens or berries.
- Mulch Fruits: Protect bramble fruits with mulch after the ground freezes but before temperatures drop below 15°F.
- Store Gasoline Safely: Drain gas from tools like mowers and tillers for safe storage.
By tackling these tasks now, you’ll set your garden up for a healthy winter and a dazzling spring. Remember, a little effort in November can make all the difference when the growing season begins anew!
