The cooler days of autumn invite gardeners to squeeze in a few more glorious hours outside. There's still plenty to do before winter settles in. Here's a practical checklist to help you prioritize your November gardening time, tailored for suburban gardens in USDA zones 4 through 8.
Trees and Shrubs
- Mulch properly. Keep the trunk base bare—no "mulch volcanoes"—then mulch out to the drip line with woody material to encourage beneficial soil fungi and slowly build organic matter.
- Water woody plants if fall rains are insufficient, continuing until the soil freezes.
- Prune only dead wood at this time.
- Plant new trees and shrubs in cool fall weather, allowing at least a month before hard freeze for roots to establish.
- Protect marginally hardy or newly planted shrubs from winter wind.
- Note fall color in your landscape and plan future plantings for red, purple, or yellow autumn interest.
Lawn Care
- Mow at 2–2.5 inches for healthy grass.
- Water as needed while grass continues growing.
- Rake leaves off grass; mulch-mow light leaf cover directly into the lawn.
- Fertilize once more this month if grass is still growing (common in Mid-Atlantic and southward). Use "winterizer" only if a soil test shows phosphorus deficiency.
- Apply pelletized lime if needed.
- Winterize irrigation systems in cold zones.
- Hand-weed only—avoid chemical herbicides or pre-emergents now.
Perennials, Annuals, and Vines
- Remove dead material to compost or trash.
- Collect and store durable stakes; use twigs for hugelkultur or compost.
- Last chance to collect seeds, or leave seed heads for winter interest and bird food.
- Dig tubers of dahlias, caladiums, and other cold-sensitive plants. Even if frost killed the tops, tubers may survive. Dry thoroughly (in sun if possible) before storing frost-free.
- Top beds with finished compost before ground freezes; mulch after freeze. Keep compost/mulch away from perennial crowns and iris rhizomes.
Bulbs
- Plant tulips now—they tolerate later planting than most spring bulbs. Snag end-of-season bargains.
- Plant other purchased bulbs, but think twice about clearance narcissus and small hardy bulbs; late planting may delay their growth.
Vegetables and Small Fruits
- Clean up garden beds. Hot-compost waste or remove to trash/burn pile.
- Plant garlic.
- Mulch strawberry beds with 3–4 inches of straw for winter protection.
- Cut red and gold raspberries to the ground to rejuvenate the planting.
Containers
- Empty and dry ceramic and terra cotta pots for storage—they crack if frozen damp.
- Clean spent plants; store pots or replant with small evergreens, hardy bulbs, or seasonal displays.
- Reuse potting soil by composting, adding to beds, or refreshing with finely chipped bark.
Rain Barrels
- Empty, clean, and store barrels, fittings, and hoses before freezing weather. Prevent rain collection.
- Reconfigure downspouts for proper drainage when not collecting rain.
Soils and Composting
- Test soil now unless heavy recent rain could skew results.
- Apply pelletized lime if needed; it works over winter for spring-ready soil.
- Build leafy compost piles and save extra leaves in temporary bins or bags.
That should keep you busy for a while!
(Editor's Note: Originally published November 1, 2012.)
