November Garden Jobs Checklist for Every Gardener

November is the gateway to winter—a time when the busiest garden chores slow, but essential jobs remain. Tackle these November tasks now to protect your plants, support wildlife, and set your garden up for success next year, whether you’re a veg grower, flower lover, or first-time plotter.

1. Tidy Beds & Borders

• Remove summer annuals, dead annual flowers, and cut back faded perennials.
• Compost healthy green waste, but bin diseased material.
• Pull late weeds to get a head start for spring.

2. Rake and Compost Leaves

• Clear lawns, beds, and paths of fallen leaves.
• Pile into leaf mold cages or compost bins—black gold for next season.

3. Plant Bulbs and Garlic

• November is the last call for tulips, daffodils, alliums, and overwintering garlic.
• Plant in well-prepared, weed-free soil or containers.

4. Mulch and Protect

• Spread compost, leaf mold, or wood chip around perennials, soft fruit, and roses.
• Heap mulch on rhubarb crowns and strawberries for insulation.

5. Prune Fruit Trees, Bushes, and Roses

• Cut out dead, weak, or crossing branches.
• Remove old raspberry and blackberry canes.
• Lightly shape established roses.

6. Support Wildlife

• Clean and refill bird feeders and baths.
• Leave some seed heads, ivy, and piles of logs or leaves for winter shelter and food.

7. Prepare Greenhouses and Tidy Tools

• Insulate with bubble wrap and repair glass if needed.
• Clean and oil secateurs, loppers, shears, mower blades, and spades before storage.

8. Lawn Care

• Clear leaves, aerate compacted areas, and give a last light mow if the weather is mild and dry.
• Keep off soggy or frosted grass to avoid compaction.

9. Protect Pots, Taps, and Water Butts

• Lift frost-vulnerable pots onto feet; move tender plants under cover.
• Drain hoses and outdoor taps.
• Remove sludge from water butts and install filters.

10. Review and Plan

• Make notes in your garden journal: what worked, what didn’t, and what you want to try next year.
• Order new seeds, select bulbs for forcing, and sketch out next season’s layout.

Tending to these November garden jobs keeps your plot tidy, your plants safe, and your mind engaged with the beauty and potential of the season. Stay cosy, keep gardening—even in small ways—and enjoy the rest and reflection winter brings.