November gardening guide: what to do in your garden this March
November is a quieter month in the garden, a time to catch up, clear debris, and prepare for the colder months ahead. Milder days offer a welcome chance to get outside, particularly if wet autumn weather has kept you indoors. While much of the summer colour has faded, there are still opportunities to plant, protect, and tidy up your garden, and wildlife begins to benefit from the food and shelter you provide.
Looking for a handy summary? Click here to expand our quick reference guide for essential November gardening tasks at a glance.
Planting
Plant tulips
November is the perfect month to plant tulips. Daffodils should already be in the ground from September and October, but tulips benefit from later planting to avoid early sprouting. Correct planting depth is essential – plant bulbs about three times their height. Planting too shallow can result in poor flowering, so when in doubt, plant slightly deeper rather than shallower. Tulips offer endless possibilities for spring colour, and browsing bulb catalogues can be irresistible at this time of year.
Plant autumn garlic
Autumn garlic can be sown from mid-September through mid-December. Planting in autumn gives the garlic a long growing period over the cold months, improving bulb formation and flavour. Varieties suited to autumn planting include Lautrec Wight, Early Wight, Elephant garlic, Bella Italiano, and Provence Wight. Be mindful of your plot – garlic prefers well-drained soil and some varieties are less suited to heavy, cold, or exposed sites. If necessary, autumn garlic can be planted under glass or in a greenhouse for better results.
Care and maintenance
Cut back perennials
With summer flowers finishing, now is an ideal time to cut back perennials for tidier borders. However, leaving some foliage can provide protection against frost and offer cover for overwintering wildlife. When cutting back, take care around emerging shoots at the base of plants – trimming too close can damage new growth. Clearing borders also exposes lurking weeds, which are easier to remove after a few touches of frost.
Overwinter tender plants
Tender plants that cannot survive frost will need protection indoors or under glass. Pelargoniums, fuchsias, cannas, and dahlias are among those that benefit from overwintering in a conservatory, unheated porch, or greenhouse. Hardier plants, such as chrysanthemums, citrus, bays, olives, salvias, agapanthus, and French lavenders, may only need some shelter if your plot is exposed. When overwintering plants, raise pots to improve air circulation and reduce the risk of grey mould (Botrytis), water sparingly, and open vents or doors on milder days to reduce damp conditions.
Winter prune roses
November through early winter is an excellent time to prune roses, especially climbers. Reducing the size of the shrub by about a third helps prevent wind rock, which can loosen roots over time and make plants vulnerable to frost and water damage.
Clear the vegetable plot
If you are not growing winter crops, clear the vegetable plot of all debris, stones, and spent plants. Removing weeds now prevents them from taking hold under mulch. Enrich the soil with well-rotted manure or organic matter to prepare it for winter, and consider covering the plot with plastic to suppress weeds and warm the soil ahead of spring planting.
Lawn care
Leaves may be falling thick and fast, and letting them accumulate can smother grass and create unsightly brown patches. Rake leaves regularly, and consider using them to create leaf mould – a valuable natural mulch. A simple leaf mould pen can be made with stakes and chicken wire, or leaves can be stored in perforated bags to allow airflow. Well-rotted leaf mould can then be spread across borders in winter and spring.
Pond care
Fallen leaves are not only bad for lawns but can also affect ponds. Decaying leaves increase nitrates in the water, which deplete oxygen and encourage algae, making conditions unhealthy for fish. Skim leaves regularly and remove dying vegetation to maintain water quality.
Tree washing
Some trees, such as Himalayan birch, are grown for their striking bark, which can become dirty or covered in moss over time. Clean bark with warm water and a soft cloth, dusting off first and wiping gently – no soap is needed – to restore its natural brightness.
Harvesting
Ripen tomatoes
By November, outdoor tomato plants have mostly finished producing. Bring any remaining green fruits inside and allow them to ripen naturally on a sunny windowsill, porch, or conservatory. Leaving tomatoes on the vine can help them mature more evenly.
Wildlife and pests
Provide winter food
Late autumn is an excellent time to plant shrubs and trees that produce berries, which provide vital nutrition for garden birds. Mild spells and good rainfall at this time of year help new plants establish roots quickly. A variety of berry-bearing plants will attract a wide range of birds and wildlife, helping maintain a balanced garden ecosystem through winter.
Other garden tasks
With colder months approaching, now is the time to tidy and protect your garden: mulch borders where weeds have been cleared, check greenhouse and garden structures for stability, and continue to feed birds and provide water sources. Preparing early ensures your garden weathers the winter well and is ready for a strong start in spring.
Quick reference – November gardening at a glance
- Plant tulips at the correct depth, and sow autumn garlic in well-drained sites.
- Cut back perennials or leave for wildlife and frost protection.
- Overwinter tender plants like pelargoniums, fuchsias, cannas, and dahlias under glass.
- Winter prune roses, particularly climbers, to prevent wind damage.
- Clear the vegetable plot and enrich the soil with well-rotted manure.
- Rake leaves and create leaf mould for mulch.
- Skim ponds to remove leaves and decaying vegetation.
- Wash tree bark on species like Himalayan birch to restore colour.
- Bring in green tomatoes to ripen indoors.
- Plant winter berries to feed garden birds.
