Your November priorities
November is quieter than autumn's peak, but a few jobs now save problems later. Tackle these in order:
- Drain outside taps and hoses so water left in them can't freeze and split them.
- Raise containers onto feet so pots drain freely and are less likely to waterlog or freeze.
- Plant tulip bulbs for a spring display.
- Plant bare-root trees, shrubs, hedging and roses while they're dormant.
- Clean and sharpen secateurs ready for winter pruning of deciduous trees and shrubs.
- Clear fallen leaves from ponds.
Timing and weather
November is when the garden settles into dormancy, which is exactly why it suits bare-root planting: plants are resting, so they can be lifted and moved with little check to growth.
The advice here suits an average UK garden. The north, including Scotland and northern England, typically runs two to three weeks behind the south, while milder south-western and coastal gardens run ahead. Frost dates also vary from year to year, so let the weather where you are decide the exact timing rather than the calendar.
November jobs
Drain outside taps and hoses. Water left in an outside tap or hose can freeze and split it. Drain them before the first hard frost, and store hoses in a shed or garage.
Raise containers onto feet. Pot feet lift containers off the ground so water drains away freely, which makes them less likely to waterlog or freeze solid over winter.
Plant tulip bulbs. November is a good month to plant tulips for a spring display.
Plant bare-root trees, shrubs, hedging and roses. Bare-root plants are lifted while dormant and are best planted while they're still resting. The bare-root season runs through to around February or March.
Clean and sharpen secateurs. Get them ready for winter pruning of deciduous trees and shrubs once they've lost their leaves.
Clear leaves from ponds. Remove fallen leaves from ponds before they rot. Add them to your compost heap or leaf bin.
What to plant and sow in November
Tulip bulbs — plant now for a spring display.
Bare-root trees, shrubs, hedging and roses — plant while dormant. The season runs through to around February or March.
Garlic and broad beans — both can still go in this month, following on from October sowings.
For how these fit your own beds, ask Bea, your personal Head Gardener.
From the monthly read
Four to plant in November
Tulip 'Ballerina'ScentAI-generated image, made with Google Gemini
Bare-root rose 'Munstead Wood'ScentAI-generated image, made with Google Gemini
Winter boxScentAI-generated image, made with Google Gemini
AmelanchierStatementAI-generated image, made with Google Gemini
What to avoid in November
Don't dig or plant when the soil is wet or frozen. Wait for a drier, frost-free spell, even in the middle of bare-root season.
Don't leave water in outside taps and hoses. A single hard frost can split them.
Watch your footing on decking and paving. In wet weather, algae makes timber decking and stone slabs slippery. Clean them regularly through the winter.
Let BeeWise build your November list
This page is the general version. BeeWise turns it into your November list, starting from the beds and plants you've actually added.
When frost is forecast for your location, it shows which of your plants need protecting, rather than a national warning. If you grow in pots, it knows which plants are in containers. And if you're not sure whether there's still time to plant tulips or bare-root roses where you garden, ask Bea, your personal Head Gardener. Bea answers using your local frost dates and the season so far.
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