Top Gardening Tips for November

November Gardening Jobs: Preparing for the Chill and Planning for Spring

As autumn gives way to the crisp, short days of early winter, your garden may appear to be winding down — but there’s still plenty to do. November is all about protection, preparation, and planting for brighter days ahead. With a little care now, you can ensure your garden weathers the cold and comes back strong in spring. Here are your key gardening jobs for November:

1. Frost-Proof Outdoor Containers

Terracotta and ceramic pots are vulnerable to frost damage. Wrap them in insulating materials like fleece, hessian, or straw to help them withstand plummeting temperatures. This protects both the container and the roots of your plants inside.

2. Raise Pots Off the Ground

To prevent waterlogging and root rot, lift pots up on pot feet, bricks, or gravel. This improves drainage and reduces the risk of freezing when water collects at the base.

3. Plant Spring Bulbs

Get your daffodils, tulips, crocuses, and hyacinths into the ground before it hardens. Planting now ensures a burst of colour in the spring — just when you'll need it most. A well-timed bulb planting can turn even the dullest patch into a spring showstopper.

4. Add Winter Bedding

Brighten up borders, beds, and pots with hardy winter bedding plants like pansies, violas, primroses, and polyanthus. These tough blooms withstand the cold and bring cheerful colour to grey days.

5. Clean Up Fallen Leaves

Keep paths clear and prevent slippery surfaces by sweeping up leaves regularly. If you have a pond, remove any fallen leaves to maintain water quality and protect aquatic life. Compost healthy leaves for use in the garden next year.

6. Feed the Wildlife

As natural food sources dwindle, wildlife needs a helping hand. Top up bird feeders, put out fresh water, and consider leaving a quiet corner of your garden a little wild to provide shelter. Your garden will be a welcome refuge for birds, hedgehogs, and insects alike.

7. Prune Roses

Cut back your rose bushes to about half their height to prevent wind rock — a common problem where strong winter winds loosen the plant’s roots. Remove any dead, damaged, or diseased wood while you're at it.

8. Plant Garlic, Shallots, and Onions

Now is the perfect time to plant garlic cloves, shallot sets, and onion sets for a bumper harvest next summer. They benefit from a cold spell to develop properly, and planting them in November gives them a solid head start.