The Gardener's To-Do List for November

 

Cold weather is nearly upon us. Some regions have already had their first snow. Here are some garden tasks to handle this month.

Northeast and Mid-Atlantic

• Seed and plant catalogs are arriving in the mail. Better make your choices and order early while the selection is best.
• If gardening over winter, inspect your cold frames for needed repairs. Construct low-profile hoop coverings for raised beds.
• Plant cold-hardy perennials and add some mulch for protection.
• Store your bountiful harvest over winter. A cool dark place is best. A root cellar, basement or utility room might do.
• Clean up your garden by removing organic debris to the compost pile.
• While you’re at it, turn that compost pile once again before winter sets in.
• Mark your perennials and bulbs with garden stakes.
• Plant trees and shrubs while you can still get your shovel in the ground.
• Add a couple inches of mulch to your garden beds.
• Protect evergreen trees and shrubs from breaking because of snow burdens. Wrapping them in burlap is a useful and inexpensive way of doing it.
• Winterize your gas-powered garden tools, if you haven’t already. At the very least, drain fuel from the tanks and run the engines until they’ve used up what’s in the carburetors.
• Complete maintenance of your garden tools by removing soil, applying a thin layer of oil to metal
• parts.
• Make sure your garden gets a couple inches of water each week.
• Drain garden hoses and store them out of the way after each use.

South

• Since it’s probably too late for you to sow seeds, plant winter vegetable sets in your gardens and raised beds.
• Seed and plant catalogs are arriving in the mail. Order early while the selection is best.
• Clean up your garden by removing organic debris to the compost pile.
• Turn your compost pile once again.
• Plant cold-hardy annuals.
• Plant trees and shrubs because “Fall Is for Planting!”
• Add a couple inches of mulch to your garden beds.
• Winterize those gas-powered garden tools. Drain fuel from the tanks and run the engines until they’ve they run out of gas.
• Complete maintenance of your garden tools by removing soil, applying a thin layer of oil.
• Make sure your garden gets a couple inches of water each week.
• Drain garden hoses and store them out of the way after each use.

Midwest

• Plant cold-hardy perennials.
• Add garden debris to your compost pile, and turn it again.
• Plant trees, shrubs and vines.
• If gardening over winter, inspect your cold frames for needed repairs. Construct low-profile hoop coverings for raised beds.
• Store your harvest over winter. A cool dark place is best.
• Seed and plant catalogs are arriving in the mail. Shop now while the selection is best.
• Mark your perennials and bulbs with garden stakes.
• Add a couple inches of mulch to your garden beds.
• Protect evergreen trees and shrubs from breaking because of snow burdens. Wrapping them in burlap is a useful and inexpensive way of doing it.
• Winterize your gas-powered garden tools, if you haven’t already. At the very least, drain fuel from the tanks and run the engines until they’ve used up what’s in the carburetors.
• Complete maintenance of your garden tools by removing soil and applying a thin layer of oil.
• Make sure your garden gets a couple inches of water each week.
• Drain garden hoses and store them out of the way after each use.

Pacific Northwest

• Prepare your cold frames and hoop structures over your raised beds.
• Add compost to your garden beds.
• Plant bare-root and container grown shrubs and trees.
• Remove debris from your orchard and berry patches.
• Protect evergreen trees and shrubs from snow burdens.
• Winterize your gas-powered garden tools.
• Complete maintenance of your garden tools by removing soil and applying a thin layer of oil.
• Make sure your garden gets a couple inches of water each week.
• Drain garden hoses and store them out of the way after each use.
• Seed and plant catalogs are arriving in the mail. Better make your choices and order early while the selection is best.

West Coast

• Seed and plant catalogs are arriving in the mail. Shop now while the selection is best.
• Plant cold-hardy annuals, perennials and root vegetables.
• Add compost to your garden.
• Refresh mulch, if necessary.
• Remove organic garden debris to your compost pile, and turn the pile once again.
• Keep your plants well-watered.

Southwest

• Plant winter vegetables and warm season annuals.
• Seed and plant catalogs are arriving in the mail. Order early while the selection is best.
• Be prepared to protect citrus from cold snaps.
• Add compost to your garden beds.
• Inspect your irrigation system for leaks. Now is no time to waste water.
• Make needed repairs to your garden tools before the spring rush.

Return to GoGardenNow.com.