What to Plant in November | Essential Gardening Tasks for Late Fall
Discover what to plant in November and which essential gardening tasks to
tackle before winter. Learn how to prepare your garden for a healthy, thriving spring.
what to plant in November, November gardening tips, gardening tasks for
November, fall planting guide, late fall garden care
What to Plant and What Gardening Tasks to Get Done in
November
As autumn gives way to winter, November may seem like a time
for your garden to rest—but seasoned gardeners know this month is all about preparation
and protection. Whether you live in a mild coastal region or a frost-prone
inland area, there’s still plenty you can do to set your garden up for success
in the months ahead.
Here’s your complete November gardening guide —
covering what to plant, what to protect, and which key tasks to complete before
winter arrives.
🌱 What to Plant in
November
1. Cool-Season Vegetables
In mild or temperate regions, November is perfect for
planting cold-hardy vegetables that can thrive through winter. Try:
- Spinach
- Lettuce
- Kale
- Swiss
chard
- Carrots
- Radishes
- Onions
These crops grow best in cooler temperatures and can handle
light frosts. Mulch around seedlings to conserve warmth and moisture.
2. Garlic and Shallots
Garlic and shallots love the cold. Planting them in November
ensures they get the winter chill they need to form strong bulbs by next
summer.
How to plant:
Break bulbs into individual cloves, bury them about 2 inches deep and 6 inches
apart in rich, well-drained soil, then cover with straw mulch. Water lightly
until established.
3. Spring-Flowering Bulbs
If you haven’t yet, November is your final call to plant spring
bulbs like:
- Tulips
- Daffodils
- Hyacinths
- Crocuses
Plant bulbs two to three times their height deep in loose,
fertile soil. Add bone meal or bulb fertilizer to encourage strong root
development.
4. Trees and Shrubs
November’s cool air and warm soil create perfect conditions
for planting trees and shrubs. This allows root systems to establish
before the heat of next summer.
Choose native or drought-tolerant species suited to your
local climate. Water deeply once a week and add mulch around the base to
protect roots from frost.
5. Cover Crops
Protect bare garden beds from erosion and nutrient loss by
sowing cover crops (green manures) such as:
- Clover
- Winter
rye
- Vetch
These plants prevent weeds, improve soil texture, and add
organic matter when turned into the soil next spring.
🛠️ Essential Gardening
Tasks for November
1. Clean and Store Tools
Before winter sets in, clean dirt from your tools, sharpen
blades, and oil metal parts to prevent rust. Store tools indoors or in a dry
shed so they’re ready for spring.
2. Rake Leaves and Compost Them
Don’t let leaves suffocate your lawn. Rake and shred them to
use as mulch or add them to your compost pile. Leaf compost is rich in
nutrients and improves soil health over time.
3. Mulch and Protect Tender Plants
Add a 2–4 inch layer of mulch around perennial plants,
shrubs, and young trees to insulate roots from freezing temperatures. For extra
protection, wrap delicate plants in burlap or frost cloth.
4. Prune with Care
While heavy pruning should wait until late winter, you can
still:
- Remove
dead or diseased branches
- Trim
back spent perennials
- Cut
herbs like mint or oregano to encourage healthy regrowth
Avoid pruning spring-flowering shrubs now, as you could
accidentally remove next season’s buds.
5. Harvest Remaining Produce
Gather the last of your garden’s bounty before the first
hard frost. Root vegetables like carrots, beets, and turnips can often
stay in the ground a bit longer with mulch protection. Store harvested crops in
a cool, dry place.
6. Support Garden Wildlife
November is a great month to help local wildlife. Clean and
refill bird feeders, set up a water source, and leave seed heads on plants like
sunflowers and coneflowers for natural bird food. A wildlife-friendly garden
benefits the ecosystem year-round.
7. Plan for Next Year
As your garden winds down, take time to reflect. What
thrived this year? What could improve? Use November’s quiet pace to plan next
spring’s garden layout and order seeds early.
Keeping a garden journal ensures continuous learning and
better results with every growing season.
🌼 Final Thoughts
November might feel like an ending, but in the gardening
world, it’s a month of preparation and renewal. By cleaning, planting,
and protecting now, you’re investing in a garden that will reward you with
vibrant growth come springtime.
Embrace the cool air, get your hands dirty one last time,
and give your garden the care it deserves before winter’s rest.
References
- Royal
Horticultural Society (RHS): Gardening Jobs for November
- The
Old Farmer’s Almanac: What to Plant in November
- University
of Minnesota Extension: Fall and Winter Garden Care
- American
Horticultural Society: Seasonal Gardening Tips
