And yet there are few better times to get ahead. Planting bulbs, protecting tender plants and making plans for next year's borders will pay dividends when spring finally comes calling. We asked David Glass, Head Gardener at Wiltshire's magnificent Bowood House & Gardens, to share the jobs worth tackling this month.
Protect Plants From The First Frosts
"November is a good time to protect plants from wind, frost, and wet soil. Start by checking the security of your tree ties and stakes, replacing damaged ties and loosening any that have become too tight.
"Bring tender plants in pots into a bright, frost-free place before the season's first frosts. Raise outdoor containers onto pot feet so water drains freely and wrap the sides with hessian or bubble wrap to help insulate the roots. Check the compost regularly and water when needed, as plants can still dry out in winter.
"For dahlias, drainage makes a considerable difference. Lift the tubers from heavy, wet soil once frost blackens the foliage, let them dry, and store them somewhere frost-free. In milder, sheltered gardens with soil that drains freely, you can leave them in the ground beneath a thick layer of straw or mulch."
Give Roses A Little Attention
"Cut back tall bush roses by up to half so strong winds are less likely to rock them loose in the soil, but save the main prune for later in winter.
"Our established roses performed very well at Bowood this year, coping with the wet and dry conditions we experienced. They remain a reliable choice, although newly planted roses need watering during dry spells while their roots develop."
Plant Now For A Beautiful Spring
"A good spring display starts with the work you do in autumn. November is ideal for planting tulips, but finish reorganising your borders first. Lift and divide overgrown clumps of hardy herbaceous plants, replant the healthiest sections, and use spare divisions to fill gaps elsewhere. Once everything is in place, plant tulips in the spaces between.
"If you still have daffodil bulbs to plant, get them into the ground promptly. In containers, combine bulbs with different flowering times to extend the display. Choose a deep pot with drainage holes and plant later-flowering tulips in the lower layer, with earlier daffodils above. Add compost between the layers and check the planting depth for each variety.
"Pot up paperwhite narcissi and prepared hyacinths for indoor flowers before spring. Follow the growing instructions for each, as prepared hyacinths need a cool, dark period to develop roots before you bring them into the warmth.
"For snowdrops, I recommend waiting until spring to buy plants 'in the green', when they have finished flowering but still have their leaves. They establish more reliably than dry bulbs and should flower the following year."
Sow Sweet Peas For An Early Start
"Autumn sowing produces stronger sweet pea plants that flower earlier in the following year. I sow half in autumn and half in spring to spread the flowering season. Keep the autumn seedlings in a bright, cool greenhouse or cold frame over winter."
Tidy Up, But Not Too Much
"Clear fallen leaves from lawns before they smother the grass. On borders, leave a light layer of healthy leaves to help insulate the soil, or apply well-rotted compost as mulch while the ground is moist and unfrozen.
"You can also trim many deciduous hedges once they are dormant, but leave evergreen hedges alone for now.
"Keep birdbaths topped up and free of ice so birds can still drink when the ground freezes."
Planning Next Year’s Garden With El Niño In Mind
"When choosing plants for next year, think about how they will cope with cold, wet soil as well as summer dry spells.
"Achilleas are particularly tough and drought tolerant in a sunny border with soil that drains freely. Hardy salvias and perennial verbenas are also useful choices.
"Autumn is a good time to plant bare-root roses, deciduous trees and hedging. They generally cost less than container-grown plants, and autumn planting gives their roots time to establish before next summer. Work organic matter into the planting area, avoid frozen or waterlogged ground, and water well after planting."
FAQs: Jobs For A November Garden
What are the most important gardening jobs in November?
November is a good time to protect tender plants from frost, plant tulip bulbs, clear fallen leaves from lawns and check that trees and shrubs are securely staked. It's also an excellent month for planting bare-root roses, trees and hedging, provided the ground isn't frozen or waterlogged.
Is November too late to plant bulbs?
Not at all. November is one of the best months to plant tulips, while daffodils can still be planted if you haven't got around to them earlier in autumn. Choose well-drained soil and follow the recommended planting depth for each variety.
Should I cut back roses in November?
Tall bush roses can be reduced by up to half to prevent strong winter winds from rocking them loose in the ground. Save the main pruning until later in winter, when the plants are dormant. The precise timing and technique will depend on the type of rose.
Can I leave dahlias in the ground over winter?
In mild, sheltered gardens with well-drained soil, dahlias can often be left in the ground beneath a generous layer of mulch. In colder areas or gardens with heavy, wet soil, it's safer to lift the tubers after the first frost has blackened the foliage and store them somewhere dry and frost-free.
Can I sow sweet peas in November?
Yes. Autumn-sown sweet peas can develop strong root systems and produce earlier flowers the following year. Sow seeds in deep pots and keep the seedlings in a bright, cool greenhouse or cold frame, protecting them from severe frost.
Should I clear all the fallen leaves from my garden?
No. Remove thick layers of leaves from lawns to prevent the grass becoming smothered, but leave some on borders, where they can help protect the soil and provide shelter for wildlife. Healthy fallen leaves can also be collected to make leaf mould, a useful natural soil improver.
By David Glass
