Your Essential November Checklist: Preparing the Garden for Winter

As the days shorten and temperatures dip, November is the perfect month to prepare your garden for winter. A little work now protects your plants, enriches your soil, and ensures a strong start when spring rolls around.

1. Protect Tender Perennials

Plants like dahlias, cannas, and begonias won’t survive frost.

• Lift tubers and bulbs

• Shake off soil

• Cure in a dry, cool place for a few days

• Store in breathable boxes with sand or sawdust

2. Mulch, Mulch, Mulch

Mulching keeps soil insulated and prevents freeze–thaw damage.

• Use leaf mold, compost, or bark chips

• Apply 5–7 cm around plants (but avoid touching stems)

3. Clean Up Debris

Remove diseased foliage, old annuals, and rotten fruit to reduce overwintering pests and fungal spores.

4. Plant Garlic and Spring Bulbs

If the ground isn’t frozen:

• Plant garlic cloves 2–3 cm deep

• Add tulips, daffodils, and alliums for spring colour

5. Feed the Soil

Incorporate well-rotted compost or manure into beds. Winter weather helps break it down and enrich the earth for next year.

Wrap-up:
A tidy, well-prepped November garden sets the stage for easier winter maintenance and a healthier spring revival.