November Guide

November Growing Tips

What's going on in November?

The weather’s getting colder now, and given how busy December usually is for a lot of people, this may be the last chance to tidy up the garden ahead of the coldest winter months. So get rid of all of those niggly little jobs before kicking back next month. That said, if you’re really attacking it, you may have enough stuff for a bonfire!

November is also a good time to sit back and reflect on what you’ve achieved this year. Hopefully you’ve been eating healthier and enjoying the real sense of accomplishment and reward that comes from growing your own fruit and vegetables. All the things to get you excited for next Spring!

The weather in November

As we transition into Winter, we’ll see an increase in cold, grey and wet days. If there are any sunny days, grab that chance to finish off the last of your garden jobs like digging over the soil, but otherwise, there are still a few maintenance/ cleaning/ sorting tasks you can do indoors.

We’ll see the continuation of high winds, although they can turn colder and feel more raw. Increased rainfall will make everything feel wet and soggy, so do any work on your beds before this happens.

Main things to accomplish

Sort out your growing beds and make sure your Christmas veg is on track to be harvested next month. By digging over empty beds, the winter weather will further break down the soil for you.

Take stock of your tools/ equipment after a summer of growing your own fruit and vegetables. Clean out pots and trays, and recycle those you’re not going to use again.

If you need any new bits, then there are loads of holiday sales on at the end of November…failing that, make a Christmas list of things you’d like for next year!

Digging Deeper into jobs for this month

Prep

- Wash pots/ trays, clear out those not for re-use
- Take inventory of existing/ required equipment
- Dig over vegetable beds. Allow earthworms to mulch the soil for you!
- General garden tidy up
- Cover soil with polythene for early growing next year
- Put young Strawberry runners into cold frames
Sowing & Planting

SOW OUTSIDE
Peas (under Cloches)
PLANT INSIDE
Onions, Garlic, Rocket
PLANT OUTSIDE
Fruit Trees & Bushes
- Move potted Herbs, lift Chives from outside to inside
- Lift Rhubarb
Tending

- Only water plants when necessary
- Cover Brassicas with netting
- Lift Parsnips
- Winter prune Apple/ Pear Trees
Harvesting

- Harvest Brussel Sprouts
- Harvest any Salads under cloches
- Forage Chestnuts
- Check stored crops for rotting, remove any damaged food
- Harvest Leeks or leave in the ground over winter
Eating

- Roast Chestnuts

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