As November sets in, the garden landscape shifts from vibrant autumn colors to a more muted palette, signaling the arrival of late fall and the gradual approach of winter. For Mid-Atlantic gardeners, November gardening is a pivotal month to wrap up the last of the season’s maintenance and prepare for the colder months ahead. From tidying up garden beds to protecting perennials, a few key tasks now will help your garden thrive when spring arrives. Let’s dive into this month’s checklist and make sure your garden is ready for winter’s chill.
November Gardening Checklist:
ANNUALS:
-Now is the time to take mental or physical notes on this years’ garden. What worked and what didn’t and what changes do you want to make for next season. This really is something more gardeners should consider doing.
-Keep an eye on annuals that were moved indoors. Look out for droopy leaves or pest issues. Move plants around if they need exposure to more light.
BULBS:
-Pot spring blooming bulbs for “forcing”, a term used when tricking bulbs into flowering at other than normal times. Ideal bulbs include: daffodils, tulips, hyacinth, crocus and amaryllis. Plant in lightweight soil and water til barely moist . Store and cover in cool, dark place.
-Mulch outdoor bulb beds for winter protection.
PERENNIALS + ORNAMENTAL GRASSES:
-Resist the urge to remove or cut back mums from the garden IF you want to perennialize them. This years foliage will protect new growth coming from the base.
-Cut ornamental grass branches to use for fall decorations.
-Switch out container gardens for fall/holiday plantings. Consider evergreen and semi-evergreen perennials, examples include: heuchera and lenten roses which provide color all winter.
*for more in-depth reasons on the hellebore: Shade Loving Perennial: Hellebore
GROUNDCOVERS:
-Continue removing fall leaves from groundcover beds to prevent rotting.
-Apply pest spray to deter animals from eating evergreen groundcovers.
SHRUBS:
-Water any newly planted shrubs until ground freezes. Windy , cold, sunny days will dry them out.
TREES:
-Mulch around new trees to protect roots.
-Enclose newly planted evergreen trees in chicken wire cages to prevent damage from pests/deer if repellents aren’t working.
TURFGRASS:
-Set the mover blade lower. Warm season grasses should be dormant now but mow cool-season grass one-third lower than during the summer.
-Continue watering new lawns and overseeded lawns until temperatures drop below freezing.
-Do not mow warm-season grass that has been overseeded.
VEGETABLES + HERBS:
-Continue harvesting vegetables in ‘cold storage’ or still in vegetable gardens.
-Mulch vegetables with leaves or pine straw but not plastic covers.
VINES:
-Mulch roots of vines to protect them throughout the winter.
-Remove leaves trapped in vines as they can lead to fungal and bacterial problems.
November is all about embracing the change of seasons and giving your garden the care it needs to rest and rejuvenate. By completing these essential tasks, you’ll set the stage for a vibrant, thriving garden when spring returns. Enjoy the last moments of fall in the garden, and take pride in all the hard work you’ve done this year. Here’s to a restful winter and a beautiful garden season ahead!
