November Gardening Checklist
Tips for a Thriving Winter and Spring Garden 🌱
As autumn deepens and temperatures drop, November is the perfect time to prepare your garden for winter and plan for a vibrant spring. While chilly days may make it tempting to stay indoors, the work you put into your garden now will pay off when warmer months arrive. From planting bare-root fruit trees to insulating pots and caring for wildlife, taking action this month sets your garden up for success, ensuring it’s resilient and ready to thrive by springtime!
1. Planting & Maintenance
Fruit Bushes & Trees: Now is a great time to plant bare-root fruit bushes like currants and trees such as apples and pears. If you’re considering blueberries, remember they thrive best in acidic soil.
Garlic and Onions: Plant garlic cloves and overwintering onion sets. They’ll sprout as the weather warms in early spring.
Winter Vegetables: Sow winter lettuces, broad beans, and spinach under cover to enjoy fresh harvests even as temperatures drop.
Lettuce, Onion and Garlic growing in a garden ready for harvesting.
2. Caring for Flower Beds
Cutting Back & Mulching: Cut back perennials and apply a thick layer of mulch to protect the roots from frost. This layer will also enrich the soil for next year’s blooms.
Planting Bulbs: November is the final call for spring bulbs like tulips and daffodils. Plant them in borders or pots for a bright spring display.
Winter Bedding: Add some color to your garden by planting hardy winter pansies, cyclamens, and heathers, which can withstand colder months.
3. Wildlife-Friendly Practices
Bird Feeders & Baths: Support local wildlife by setting up bird feeders and keeping fresh water in bird baths. This will attract beneficial visitors to your garden.
Hedgehogs & Shelter: If you have leaves to gather, create a pile in a sheltered corner; it can provide a cozy winter spot for hedgehogs or beneficial insects.
Our compliance manager is filling up the bird feeder with a variety of seeds, coconut and worms.
4. Protecting Plants & Soil
Insulating Pots: Use fleece or bubble wrap to insulate pots of tender plants to prevent root damage during frosts.
Soil Protection: If any garden beds are bare, cover them with compost or a winter cover crop to enrich and protect the soil.
November is the perfect time to prepare your garden for the winter ahead while setting the stage for a vibrant spring. Focus on planting bare-root fruit bushes and winter vegetables, caring for flower beds with mulching and bulb planting, and supporting local wildlife through feeders and shelter. Don’t forget to protect your tender plants and enrich your soil for the coming months. By following these tips, you can ensure a thriving winter garden that supports both plants and wildlife!
