Although the milder temperatures are more prevalent in Zones 9-10, it has not stopped the growth and production of most November warm-climate garden. Preparing and maintaining your garden is key to keeping it healthy and tidy. Also, plan ahead for future gardening. For a comprehensive list of everything you need to do in your garden this month, see our November Garden Checklist Zones 9, 10 for a detailed list. For information about planting in your county, consult your extension office.
November Garden Checklist & Planning
Stark planning is key to a successful garden. Planning is essential. It includes everything from planning for your garden’s future, including gathering seeds indoors and reflecting on the past seasons.
These are some ideas to consider and things you should plan for.
- Get ready for next spring’s garden by getting ahead of the curve! Get your soil tested after the fall gardening season. Take your results and add the nutrients to your soil so that microorganisms can help break down these nutrients and make them available for plants.
- Indoor seed beginning It will be here before we know it! Order seeds and seed-starting materials. You should consider things such as grow lights, heating mats and seed-starting mixture, seed-starting containers, seeds storage supplies and fun seed varieties.
- Take a look at the garden layout for next year. You can adjust your garden layout to fit the next year’s needs by drawing out plant placements for the next year. Are your gardens crowded? Were some plants too shaded? Did certain diseases affect plants in particular areas? Did you lack pollinators? Rotating crops can be a good option to improve soil and plant health.
- Are you looking for hardscape ideas? Do you want to make raised beds, or trellises. Make a list of the supplies that you may need to work on these projects indoors or when temperatures aren’t as extreme.
- Consider season-extending tools like row covers, hoophouses, and cold frames. You might be able to add these tools into your toolbox.
- Recognize yourself for your hard work in the garden and take the time to enjoy the fall and winter seasons.
- Consider what pests you had in your garden, and then research organic ways to protect it.
- Note down the weather conditions in your area and the problems they created.
November Prep and Maintenance
Preparation and maintenance are essential for our November Garden Checklist Zones 9-10. You can do many things in your garden this month to improve the performance and health of your future plants. You can close the growing season with a little upkeep, soil protection and general maintenance of garden areas and tools.
- Before you freeze your plants, water the soil around them well.
- Your garden will need at least one inch of rainfall per week.
- Row covers are a great way to protect tender plants against frost. You can keep an eye out for potential frosts by checking the forecast and covering plants with row covers. Make sure you take off the cloth during daylight so that plants get enough sunlight.
- To prevent any pest or disease problems from occurring in your garden, clean up all debris.
- Compost can be placed around citrus trees.
- Continue pulling weeds. Keep at it. Winter weeds can quickly take over, so be patient and keep the task going. To ensure a healthy garden in spring, organic herbicide should be used.
- To distribute the organic matter, turn your compost pile and keep it warm. Think about adding organic materials to your compost pile .
- Clear your summer garden. Your compost pile should be filled with healthy plants and vines.
- Add compost to your garden beds to improve the soil.
- Take seeds from vegetables and flowers still attached to the vines and stalks.
- Replant perennials that have outgrown their space. Spread the love to your garden with neighbors and friends.
- Avoid bare soil in your garden. If you don’t intend to use your vegetable garden over winter, mulch any exposed soil. This helps prevent erosion and enriches the soil. It also keeps winter weeds at bay.
- The cooler month of November is a great time to start work on a new garden bed, or add hardscape.
- Perennial gardens should allow some leaves to be left. They will not only enrich and preserve the soil with organic matter, but also provide protection for beneficial organisms.
- Lawns should be aerated, fertilized, and overseeded.
- Make sure to clean and disinfect bird feeders. Check your winter bird seed supply.
- Introduce tropical and houseplants that have enjoyed the summer and early autumn outdoors. To prevent pests from contaminating other plants, remove any damaged leaves and repot them in new soil. To help them adjust to the change, place them in a sunny window.
Fall Tool Maintenance and Care
Maintenance of tools is high up on the November Garden Checklist Zones 9-10.
Tools for landscaping and gardening
They are large investments and make gardening easier. It is important to care for them properly. You can ensure that your tools and equipment last many years by taking good care of them.
- Clean and sanitize your tools.
- Keep your tools safe from the elements.
- Apply linseed oil and sand the handles of your tools.
- Sharpen your lawn mower and chainsaw blades.
November Gardening: Indoor Planting
Indoor planting is a must-have on your November Garden Checklist Zones 9-10
- Many indoor houseplants go into dormancy in the winter and fall. Stop fertilizing at this point and start again in the spring.
November Gardening: Outdoor Planting
- If you have cool-season crops seeds that were planted last month, thin them now.
- For fall color, plant cool-season flowers such as snapdragons and dianthus.
- After a long winter, you can plant fall flower bulbs to create a feast for your eyes. For those in Zone 9-10, it may be necessary to cold-treat the bulbs before they are planted.
- Water perennials that are hardy and plant them well.
- November is a great month to start thinking about planting citrus tree.
For a winter crop, plant cool-season transplant veggies. To protect them from freezing temperatures, make sure you have frost protection.
- Peas
- Beans
- Kale
- Broccoli
- Swiss chard
- Spinach
- Lettuce
- Garlic
- Shallots
- Leeks
- Fava beans
Fall Harvesting Zones 9-10
Keep harvesting cool-season crops and warm-season veggies that are still producing.
- Pumpkins
- Sweet potatoes
- Cauliflower
- Radishes
- Arugula
- Bok choy
- Broccoli
- Collards
- Chard
- Kale
- Lettuces
- Peas
- Carrots
- Cucumbers
- Beets
Take care to harvest all your cold-sensitive veggies, especially:
- Pumpkin
- Tomatoes
- Eggplant
- Peppers
- Squash
