November in the Garden

A November gardening calendar really highlights the differences in regional gardens. For many there is no November garden to speak of. Others can't wait for the cool days and slower pace of fall gardening. But even if your garden is already covered in snow, there are still garden tasks calling. Unfortunately insect pests are much hardier than their tiny size would suggest.

Take a look at what you should be doing in your November garden and try to schedule a little time outdoors.

In General

• Rake leaves and make compost.


• Start forcing bulbs like paperwhites, hyacinth and amaryllis for the holidays.


• Cover compost so that rain doesn't flood and leach the nutrients


• Keep weeding

Frost Free Areas

• Perennials can be divided now.


• Plant Roses, Azaleas, Camellias & Tropical Fruit Trees suited to your areas, as they become available.


• Prune flowering trees as they drop their blossoms.


• Keep planting bulbs that don't require a cold period (amaryllis, anemone, calla lily, freesia, homeria, lilies, oxalis, Ranunculus, Sparaxis, watsonia) and garlic.


• Plant cool season vegetables and perennial herbs.


• Replace summer's annuals with cool season bloomers.


• Sow wildflower seeds.


• Keep an eye out for insect pests.

Frosty Zones (Zones 6 and down)

• Keep watering trees and shrubs until the ground freezes.


• Protect your roses by mounding soil around the crown and covering the bud union. Tie down climbing rose canes to protect them from cold winds.


• Clean up garden debris and cut back and remove any diseased or infested foliage.


• Protect evergreens from deer damage by circling with stakes and burlap.


• Protect young trees from mice damage by wrapping wire around the bottom portion of the trunk


• Protect plants from vole damage by not mounding mulch too close to the plant


• Get those bulbs into the ground now.


• If you're planning on buying a live Christmas tree with the intention of planting it this winter, dig the hole now, before the ground freezes. Remember to keep the soil covered, so that it too does not freeze and can go back into the hole.

Borderline Zones (Pacific NW, Southwest & Southeast)

• Plant cool season vegetables.


• Plant asparagus and cut back tops of existing asparagus plants after they are yellowed by frost.


• There's still time to plant a cover crop in the vegetable garden.


• Watch for frost warnings. Extend the harvest by protecting plants with row covers.


• Sow wildflower seeds.


• Beef up snail patrol.

Indoor Plants

• Check that indoor plants are receiving enough water, humidity and air circulation.


• Keep an eye out for pests like spider mites and scale, and take care of them before they become a problem.