Jobs in the garden for November

Written by Daily Fix - Published 01-Nov-2019, last updated 21-Jun-2024

By the time November arrives it's easy to resign yourself to the fact that the gardening year has all but slipped away. It can be a cold, damp month with very few flowers to brighten up the shortening days.

But look closely and you will see colourful berries, evergreen foliage and spectacular leaves which haven't yet dropped from deciduous trees.

While the cold weather could make keeping warm inside seem appealing, there's always something to do outside, keeping you warm while you put the garden to bed until next year.

Clean and service tools and garden machinery

If you have finished using garden tools this year, take the time to check, wash and repair them before storing them. Sharpen cutting edges so that they are ready to go next year.

It might be a good time to get the mower serviced before the inevitable high demand for this service next Spring. Or if you are handy with a spanner and sharpening stone you could try servicing the mower yourself. Check the manual to see what type of oil you need to buy, and also check to see if the mower has a replaceable fuel filter, oil filter and air filter. You can probably purchase service parts from your local lawnmower dealer or, failing that, order the mower service parts online.

If you have moved towards battery powered garden machinery then there's no oil or filters to change, but you should still check the blade and sharpen it if necessary. Check the manufacturer's recommendation on how to store the batteries - they can be expensive so you want to make sure you store them correctly.

Wash pots used to raise seedlings, young plants and cuttings. It's a good opportunity to check for any that need discarding due to damage, and it also helps prevent disease.

If you didn't get to clean the greenhouse during October, do this now. Not only does it help reduce disease, but it also means the glass is clean so that as much sunlight as possible gets through to plants housed inside.

Purchase bare root plants and trees

November is the perfect month to consider purchasing bare root plants and trees, as many plant suppliers are beginning to feature them on their websites. These bare root options include a variety of offerings ranging from trees to roses and an array of other plants. By taking advantage of this opportunity now, you can secure these high-quality products at their freshest and most affordable prices.

One notable advantage of buying bare root plants and trees is that they come without soil attached to their roots. This may seem like a minor detail, but it actually offers numerous benefits. Firstly, it simplifies transportation since these plants are lighter and easier to handle than potted ones - fantastic if you're planning on ordering online as it's likely to mean that postage charges are lower than when ordering plants in containers of heavy compost! Additionally, planting bare root specimens allows their roots to establish more easily in your garden soil, enabling faster growth and better overall performance.

November is an opportune time for planting because it allows the plants ample time to settle into the ground before spring arrives. The dormant winter season provides an ideal period for roots to establish themselves securely and gather necessary nutrients.

Protect outdoor pots

If you are leaving pots outside over winter, you may want to insulate them with bubblewrap or sacking. It might be worth raising pots off the ground with pot feet to assist with pot drainage and helping to prevent water-logging.

Before wrapping your pots, it is essential to clean them properly and remove any debris or dead material to maintain good plant hygiene during the winter months. Additionally, for added protection against freezing temperatures, consider grouping your outdoor pots together in a sheltered area such as against a wall or under an overhang.

Regularly check the pots throughout winter to ensure that the insulation remains intact and undamaged. Repair or replace any torn or damaged wrappings promptly to maintain optimal protection.

By taking these preventative steps in November, you can safeguard your outdoor pots during the colder months and ensure they are ready for a vibrant gardening season when spring arrives.

Get a head-start on next year!

Finally, with an eye on getting a head start next year, order seed catalogues and start preparing your shopping list for the coming year.

Have a great gardening November.