Winter Garden Preparation: What to Do in November

November is a transitional month in the garden, where the brilliance of autumn gives way to the quieter beauty of winter. While the days grow shorter and colder, there’s still plenty to do to prepare your garden for the months ahead. Think of it as a time to wrap up the last of the year's tasks while setting the stage for next season's growth.

Lift or Protect Dahlia Tubers

Dahlias, with their vibrant blooms, need some extra care to make it through winter. As the foliage dies back, you’ll need to decide whether to lift or protect the tubers. You may be able to leave milder areas in the ground.

How to Lift and Store Dahlia Tubers

After cutting back the stems, apply a thick mulch to insulate the tubers. However, if you’re in a colder region, it’s safer to lift them. Loosen the soil with a fork, shake off excess dirt, and trim the stems. Rinse the tubers and let them dry completely before storing them in dry compost, vermiculite, or newspaper. Keep them in a frost-free spot, like a garage or shed, until planting in spring.

How to Protect Dahlia Tubers

If you prefer not to lift them, add a deep layer of mulch or straw over the tubers to provide additional insulation. This method works best in sheltered or warmer gardens where frost isn’t as severe.

Sow Chilli Seeds

While spring is typically the primary sowing season, November is a great time to get a head start on chilli varieties like ‘Apache’ and ‘Medusa.’ ‘Apache’ is a well-known dwarf chilli that produces compact, 7 cm-long peppers. These chillies start green and mature to a vibrant red with a medium heat level, making them perfect for adding a mild kick to your dishes. ‘Medusa’, on the other hand, is prized for its prolific yield and striking ornamental appeal. Named after the mythological figure Medusa, the plant’s upright pods resemble her famous snaky hair!

Tips for Sowing Chillies in Winter

Use a heated propagator set to 25°C to help the seeds germinate. Fill pots with peat-free compost, moisten it, and scatter the seeds evenly. Cover them with a thin layer of compost and place them in the propagator. Keep them in a bright spot, such as a south-facing windowsill or greenhouse. Water sparingly, as growth will be slow through winter, but your chilli plants will be ready to thrive by spring.

Raise Containers to Protect Roots

Containers are more vulnerable to winter conditions since the roots are more exposed to the cold compared to plants in the ground. However, with a few simple precautions, you can protect your potted plants from frost and freezing temperatures.

How to Protect Containers in Winter

Group containers in a sheltered spot near a wall to shield them from harsh winds and help retain warmth. Elevating pots on bricks or pot feet improves drainage, preventing water logging that can lead to root rot or freeze damage. Wrapping pots in horticultural fleece provides extra insulation for both the plants and the containers. If heavy rain is expected, move the pots under cover to prevent the soil from becoming waterlogged and freezing.

Feed the Birds

Winter can be challenging for birds as natural food sources become scarce. Providing bird food supports local wildlife and brings activity and life to your garden during the colder months. Birds need extra energy to stay warm, whether to fuel their migration, build up fat reserves for insulation, or simply survive the longer periods without natural food in the winter. By offering high-calorie food during this time, you help them meet their increased nutritional needs and improve their chances of making it through the winter.

What to Feed Garden Birds

Fat blocks placed in wire cages are great for energy. Avoid using mesh bags, which can injure birds. You can make your own fat blocks by melting suet into coconut shells or logs with holes drilled in them. Different recipes attract different species—peanut cakes for starlings, insect blends for tits, and berry mixes for finches. Scatter apples and raisins for thrushes and blackbirds.

How to Prevent Pests at Bird Feeders

To avoid attracting pests like rats or squirrels, regularly move feeders around the garden and only put out as much food as can be eaten in a few days. Squirrel-proof feeders are also a great way to control what animals are getting access to the food.

Divide and Rejuvenate Herbaceous Perennials

November is ideal for dividing and rejuvenating herbaceous perennials like hostas, asters, and daylilies. Dividing these plants not only prevents overcrowding, which can lead to poor flowering but also encourages healthier, more vigorous growth in the coming season. It's a great way to increase your plant stock, as the divided sections can be replanted elsewhere in your garden or shared with friends.

How to Divide Perennials

Lift the clumps from the ground, and use a sharp spade or knife to divide the younger outer sections—these are the most vigorous. Discard the older central portions. Before replanting the divided pieces, enrich the soil with bone meal or compost. If the weather remains mild, the plants should have time to establish before winter, but if the ground is frozen, it’s best to wait until spring.

Plant Tulip Bulbs for Spring

November is prime time for planting tulip bulbs. Tulips thrive in well-drained soil and work well in both borders and containers.

How to Plant Tulips

Plant bulbs at a depth of two to three times their height, spacing them about two bulbs’ width apart. Choose firm, healthy bulbs to avoid rot. For a natural look, toss the bulbs onto the ground and plant them where they land. If you have heavy clay soil, mix in some horticultural sand to improve drainage. In containers, layer bulbs with late-flowering varieties at the bottom and early-flowering ones on top. Water well and place the pots in a cool, sheltered spot.

Harvest the Last of Winter Vegetables

November is the time to harvest the last of your winter vegetables before the frost settles in. Hardy crops like leeks, kale, cabbages, and brussels sprouts are often at their peak now, as the cooler temperatures enhance their flavour. Leeks, for example, become sweeter after a light frost, while brussels sprouts develop a nuttier, milder taste. Be sure to lift leeks and cabbages before the ground freezes, and start harvesting brussels sprouts from the bottom of the stalk upwards, allowing the top ones to continue maturing. Kale can be harvested leaf by leaf, providing a continuous supply of fresh greens throughout the colder months. Check your crops regularly and harvest as needed before the harsher winter weather arrives.

Harvesting Leeks, Cabbages, and Kale

Leeks can be harvested when their stems reach 2–3 cm in diameter. Loosen the soil around the base with a fork to avoid damaging the roots, then gently pull them up by hand. For cabbages, cut the heads when firm and solid, leaving the roots in the ground to encourage side shoots, which may give you a second, smaller harvest later. Kale should be harvested by removing the lower leaves first while allowing the central growing tip to produce more foliage throughout winter.

How to Harvest Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts taste sweeter after a frost, making November the ideal time to begin harvesting. Start picking the firm, compact sprouts from the bottom of the stalk and work your way up as the upper sprouts continue to grow. Harvest sprouts when they are about 2.5–4 cm in size, and keep an eye out for pests like aphids, which can remain active in milder weather.

Clean and Store Garden Tools

November is the perfect time to clean and store your garden tools before winter sets in. Properly cleaning, sharpening, and storing them will not only extend their lifespan but also ensure they're in top condition when you need them in the spring. Well-maintained tools perform better, reduce the risk of plant disease, and save you from having to replace them as frequently. A little care now will make your gardening tasks much easier when the busy growing season returns.

How to Clean and Sharpen Garden Tools

Start by scrubbing any soil or rust with a stiff brush or steel wool. Disinfect cutting tools with a bleach solution to prevent the spread of plant diseases. Use a sharpening stone to restore the edge on pruners and shears, ensuring clean cuts that won’t damage your plants. After sharpening, apply a light coat of oil to all metal parts to prevent rust. Wooden handles can also benefit from a rub-down with linseed oil to protect them from drying and cracking. This simple maintenance keeps your tools in top condition and extends their lifespan.

Storing Garden Tools Properly

Store your clean and oiled tools in a dry, frost-free place, like a shed or garage. Hang sharp tools on hooks to prevent damage and organise smaller items in bins or shelves. Wrapping sharp edges in cloth or keeping them in tool bags can offer extra protection. Proper storage ensures your tools will be ready for use when the busy gardening season returns.

Wrapping up November in the garden

November may mark the end of the growing season, but it’s far from the end of garden work. By completing these essential tasks—protecting tender plants, dividing perennials, planting tulips, and more—you’re setting your garden up for success next year. So, wrap up warm, grab your tools, and enjoy the satisfaction of preparing your garden for winter. A little effort now will pay off with a vibrant, healthy garden come spring.