Top 5 Garden Tasks for November: Get Your Garden Winter-Ready!

November is a pivotal month for gardeners, whether you’re bracing for frosty mornings in the Pacific Northwest or enjoying milder days in the South. Wherever you live, this month offers a prime opportunity to prepare your garden for the colder months ahead, ensuring a smoother start when spring rolls around. At Seattle Seed Co., we like to think of November as the garden’s “reset button”—a time to tidy up and set the stage for success. Here are our top five tasks to tackle this month:

 

 

1. Clear Out Spent Plants

 

As much as it pains us to say goodbye to summer blooms and fall harvests, clearing out old plants is a must. Removing spent annuals, vegetables, and any diseased foliage keeps pests and fungi from overwintering in your soil. Compost healthy plant material and toss anything diseased to keep your compost pile clean.

 

Personal Tip: A few years back, I skipped this step in a particularly chaotic November. By spring, I had a bumper crop of overwintered aphids that feasted on my tender seedlings. Lesson learned—those few hours in the fall save weeks of pest control in the spring!

 

2. Mulch, Mulch, Mulch

 

Mulching isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s one of the most beneficial things you can do for your garden. A good layer of organic mulch helps regulate soil temperature, retains moisture, and suppresses winter weeds. In our Pacific Northwest garden, we love using bark chips or shredded leaves for this task—they’re abundant and eco-friendly!

 

3. Plant Spring Bulbs

 

If you dream of a vibrant spring garden, November is the time to plant bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths. Even if you’re in a warmer climate, you can pre-chill your bulbs and plant them later this month for a gorgeous display when the weather warms.

 

4. Prep Your Tools

 

Before you store your garden tools for the winter, give them a little TLC. Clean off any dirt, sharpen blades, and oil wooden handles to extend their life. This is also a great time to replace worn-out items. (Psst—our small herb snips and nail brushes make excellent stocking stuffers for the gardeners in your life!)

 

5. Protect Perennials and Young Trees

 

In colder regions, perennials and young trees benefit from a little extra insulation. Add a layer of mulch around their base and consider wrapping tree trunks to prevent frost cracks. Even in milder climates, this helps protect against temperature fluctuations and unexpected cold snaps.

 

By taking care of these simple tasks now, you’ll be giving your garden a head start for spring. And trust us—your future self will thank you when you’re enjoying those first blooms and lush greens without having to tackle an overwhelming list of to-dos.

 

What November tasks are on your list? Drop us a comment or tag us in your photo on Instagram @seattleseed—our garden community loves seeing your progress!

 

Happy gardening,

The Seattle Seed Co. Team