Frosty mornings and autumn mists bring a more muted tone to the garden this month. It's time to set the foundations for next year’s growing season by planting hedges, trees and shrubs, as well as finishing the pre-winter tidy up.
November is a time for both winding down and planning ahead. There’s less work to be done in the garden now the growing season is largely over, which is good, as the days are shorter and the temptation to snuggle up inside on grey, wet days is strong. If you’re planning on laying a hedge or planting trees and bare root shrubs then wrap up and get yourself outside – November is the perfect time to plant these out.
While most flowering plants are well and truly done by now, there are a few stars to brighten your November garden. Read our November flowers blog to find out what to plant for colour and interest at this time of year.
Flowers, shrubs & trees
What to plant in November
November marks the start of the dormant period for most deciduous plants. It’s a good time to plant bare-root trees and shrubs, as well as hedging. Remember, our container-grown trees and shrubs can be planted at any time of year, which is handy if you’re redesigning your garden or planting up a border in a different season.
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Plant tulip bulbs this month, as the cooler soil helps prevent fungal diseases. If you still haven’t got around to planting your daffodils, alliums, hyacinths and other spring-flowering bulbs, pop them in the ground or pots now and keep your fingers crossed.
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Add winter bedding plants like cyclamen, pansies and violas to pots and borders for instant colour through the darker months.
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Plant bare-root roses, trees and deciduous shrubs from this month as the plants enter their dormant period.
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You can still sow sweet peas indoors this month for earlier flowering next year.
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Plant Narcissus tazetta 'Paperwhite' bulbs indoors this month for flowers in December. Find out more in our guide to forcing bulbs for Christmas flowers.
Propagating and dividing
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There’s still time to lift and divide overgrown clumps of perennials, such as daylilies, hardy geraniums and asters, though avoid frosty periods.
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As plants enter their dormant season, you can take hardwood cuttings from deciduous shrubs like forsythia and cornus (dogwood). Insert the cuttings into pots of compost or directly into a sheltered bed to root over winter.
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You can also try propagating from root cuttings at this time of year. This can be a good way of propagating herbaceous plants that produce new shoots from their roots, such as oriental poppies and phlox.
Pruning and cutting back
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Prune shrub and bush roses to prevent wind rock and ensure they stay firmly anchored in the ground. Cut back stems by a third to half of their height.
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Cut back faded perennials and annual climbers and add them to the compost heap. You can leave the seedheads on plants like echinacea, agastache, rudbeckia and hydrangeas as they look attractive and help winter wildlife.
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Chrysanthemums may still be flowering in November. Once they’re done, prune them back to the ground ready for winter.
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You can also tidy up ornamental grasses, though I like to leave the seedheads of tall varieties, such as Stipa gigantea, as they add structure and height through the winter and look beautiful on a sunny November afternoon.
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If you need to renovate a climbing or rambling rose, you can do this any time between now and February.
General maintenance
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Lift dahlias and cannas once they’ve been blackened by the first frosts. Make sure the tubers are dry, then bury them in a box filled with dry compost or sand for the winter.
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Mulch borders with compost, leaf mould, or bark to protect roots and lock in soil nutrients over winter.
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Fallen leaves are a natural mulch, but remove any rose leaves affected by black spot to help prevent the disease from returning.
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Move pots to a sheltered area or insulate containers with bubble wrap to protect roots from frost.
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Raise pots on bricks or pot stands, so they don’t get waterlogged.
Fruit and vegetables
November is one of the quieter months in the vegetable garden, but there are still jobs to be getting on with. If the weather isn’t too wet, it’s a good time to build raised beds or repair your existing beds.
What vegetables to plant in November
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This month is likely to be your last month to plant garlic before the ground becomes too hard or wet. Plant cloves in free-draining soil or containers for harvesting early next summer.
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You can also sow early broad bean varieties in sheltered beds or in pots for an early spring crop.
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Dig up mature chicory plants, trim the leaves, then slice off the end of the roots. Plant the remaining sections of root (about eight inches) in moist compost and place a pot over them to block out the light and “force” the chicory. It’ll be ready to harvest in three to four weeks.
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November is a good time to plant rhubarb. You can buy new sets or find someone with a giant crown they want to divide. Add compost or well-rotted manure to the soil before planting.
Harvesting
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Lift and store root crops, including carrots, parsnips, beetroot, and swedes, before the soil becomes too hard to work. Wait until after the first frosts for sweeter parsnips.
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Continue to harvest leeks, kale, and Brussels sprouts as needed.
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In mild areas, you may still be able to pick and dry herbs like sage and thyme before the frost damages them.
Fruit bushes and trees
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Plant bare-root fruit trees, including apples, pears, cherries and plums. Cherry and plum trees should be planted earlier in the winter, but November is a great time to plant any trees as the ground is unlikely to be frozen.
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It’s also the best month to plant fruit canes and bushes, such as raspberries, blackcurrants, and gooseberries.
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Prune apple and pear trees once they’ve dropped their leaves and entered dormancy. Focus on removing any damaged branches and branches growing towards the middle of the tree. Shorten long branches by a third or a half and trim off any new shoots from previous pruning cuts. Don’t prune cherry or plum trees until next spring!
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Gooseberry and currant bushes can also be pruned between now and next spring. Remove dead, diseased and damaged branches and keep the center of the bush open.
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Mulch fruit trees and bushes to suppress weeds and retain moisture.
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Take hardwood cuttings from gooseberry, currant and blueberry bushes.
General maintenance
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Protect winter salad crops with fleece or cloches during cold snaps.
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Net brassicas to protect them from birds – make sure the netting is secure, even in high winds.
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Stake sprouts and top-heavy kale to prevent them from being blown over.
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Remove nets from fruit cages to prevent damage from strong winds and heavy snow.
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Clear away old vegetable debris and weeds.
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Dig in manure and compost to rot down over the winter or spread it over the surface for no-dig beds. You can then cover empty beds to suppress weeds.
Lawns and hedges
November is a prime month for planting bare root hedging as the plants are dormant and it’s generally not too cold. Our hedging is available in different sizes, so you can balance maturity and cost, with bulk discounts available. Choose native trees like beech, hawthorn, hornbeam and blackthorn, opt for a classic privet or laurel hedge or create a dramatic look with purple barberry or red firethorn
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Continue to rake up fallen leaves from pathways and lawns – collect them to make leaf mould for next year.
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Aerate compacted areas of your lawn with a garden fork or aerator to improve drainage.
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If you need to give your lawn a final cut, keep the blades high and avoid wet and frosty days.
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Edge lawn borders for a neat finish that lasts through winter.
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Order and plant your bare root hedging to get the best choice of plants. Find out more about buying and planting a bare root hedge.
Other garden jobs for November
With the growing season out of the way, November is the perfect month for tidying up, maintaining tools and making sure everything is ready for the winter months. As the weather turns colder, it’s also time to give local wildlife a helping hand.
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Set up bird feeders and a water source, such as a bird bath, and keep them clean and topped up with bird food.
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Move wormeries inside or to a sheltered spot for the winter.
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Create a woodpile for wildlife.
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Clean greenhouses and cold frames with disinfectant to maximise light and reduce pest problems.
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Insulate outdoor taps and water butts to prevent freezing and cracking.
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Sharpen, clean, and oil garden tools to prevent rusting and make sure they’re ready for next season.
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Inspect fences, gates and other structures for damage and make any necessary repairs before harsh weather sets in.
FAQ
What should I plant in November in the UK?
November is the perfect time to plant bare root trees and shrubs, including hedging. As the weather turns colder, you can also plant tulips in the ground or pots. In the vegetable garden, you can plant early broad bean varieties and garlic. November is also a good month to divide rhubarb or plant new crowns.
What vegetables should I plant in November in the UK?
November is your last chance to plant garlic before the winter sets in. If you don’t manage to get it in the ground this month, it’s best to wait until February or March. You can also plant early broad beans, force chicory and plant rhubarb.
What bulbs should I plant in November in the UK?
November is the ideal time to plant tulips in the UK. It’s a little late for other spring bulbs, like daffodils, snowdrops, crocuses and alliums, but if you have some hanging around, then get them in the ground as soon as possible, as they definitely won’t grow stuck at the back of your shed!
