November Garden Chores for All USDA Grow Zones

Planting by USDA Zone is a good starting point to get a handle on what you should be thinking of planting and when. If you pair this overview of gardening tasks by zone with experience, local knowledge and good year on year note taking then you will be well on your way to a successful and confident gardener in no time!

ZONE 4

Empty, clean and store planters where they will be dry for the winter.
If you are using a rain barrel or two to conserve water and reduce storm water runoff, they should be emptied and turned over to keep them dry during the winter months. Reconnect your downspout to direct the snowmelt and winter rain away from your foundation.
Cole crops like Brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, collards and kale are made sweeter by frost so don’t pull them out yet. Harvest them as long as possible. You can also put up a low-tunnel to extend the season.
Instead of harvesting less hardy late season crops, leave them in the garden and tuck them in with a thick layer of straw so they don’t freeze as early. This includes carrots, beets, leeks, rutabagas, turnips, winter radishes, chard, Chinese cabbage and leaf lettuce. Cover the leaf lettuce first with floating row cover fabric which breathes but will keep the straw out of your salad.
Spring flowering bulbs can still be planted as long as the ground is not frozen.
Continue to check houseplants for insects that may have come indoors as you brought the plants inside.
If your soil has frozen to at least an inch thick, now is the time to start applying a 2-4” layer of protective mulch.
Oil and store gas powered equipment like lawn mowers and leaf blowers. Repair shops are in a slow period (at least until the snow flies and snow blowers need repair) so arrange for a tune-up and blade sharpening now.

ZONE 5

If you haven’t already, get your new spring flowering bulbs planted now.
Empty, clean and store planters where they will be dry for the winter.
If you are using a rain barrel or two to conserve water and reduce storm water runoff, they should be emptied and turned over to keep them dry during the winter months. Reconnect your downspout to direct the snowmelt and winter rain away from your foundation.
Cole crops like Brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, collards and kale are made sweeter by frost so don’t pull them out yet. Harvest them as long as possible. You can also put up a low-tunnel to extend the season.
Instead of harvesting less hardy late season crops, leave them in the garden and tuck them in with a thick layer of straw so they don’t freeze as early. This includes carrots, beets, leeks, rutabagas, turnips, winter radishes, chard, Chinese cabbage and leaf lettuce. Cover the leaf lettuce first with floating row cover fabric which breathes but will keep the straw out of your salad.
Spread manure, rotted sawdust, rotted straw, and shredded leaves over the garden and plow them under; you'll be surprised at the difference this organic matter will make in the fertility, physical structure and water-holding capacity of the soil.
Continue to check houseplants for insects that may have come indoors as you brought the plants inside.
If your soil has frozen to at least an inch thick, now is the time to start applying a 2-4” layer of protective mulch.
Oil and store gas powered equipment like lawn mowers and leaf blowers. Repair shops are in a slow period (at least until the snow flies and snow blowers need repair) so arrange for a tune-up and blade sharpening now.
Order seed catalogs now for garden planning in January. For variety, consider companies that specialize in old and rare varieties or wild flowers.

ZONE 6

If you haven’t already, get your new spring flowering bulbs planted now.
Empty, clean and store planters where they will be dry for the winter.
If you are using a rain barrel or two to conserve water and reduce storm water runoff, they should be emptied and turned over to keep them dry during the winter months. Reconnect your downspout to direct the snowmelt and winter rain away from your foundation.
Cole crops like Brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, collards and kale are made sweeter by frost so harvest them as long as possible. You can also put up a low-tunnel to extend the season.
Instead of harvesting less hardy late season crops, leave them in the garden and tuck them in with a thick layer of straw so they don’t freeze as early. This includes carrots, beets, leeks, rutabagas, turnips, winter radishes, chard, Chinese cabbage and leaf lettuce. Cover the leaf lettuce first with floating row cover fabric which breathes but will keep the straw out of your salad.
Spread manure, rotted sawdust, rotted straw, and shredded leaves over the garden and plow them under; you'll be surprised at the difference this organic matter will make in the fertility, physical structure and water-holding capacity of the soil.
Continue to check houseplants for insects that may have come indoors as you brought the plants inside.
If your soil has frozen to at least an inch thick, now is the time to start applying a 2-4” layer of protective mulch.
Oil and store gas powered equipment like lawn mowers and leaf blowers. Repair shops are in a slow period so arrange for a tune-up and blade sharpening now.
Order seed catalogs now for garden planning in January. For variety, consider companies that specialize in old and rare varieties or wild flowers.

ZONE 7

If you haven’t already, get your new spring flowering bulbs planted now.
Empty, clean and store planters where they will be dry for the winter.
If you are using a rain barrel or two to conserve water and reduce storm water runoff, they should be emptied and turned over to keep them dry during the winter months. Reconnect your downspout to direct the snowmelt and winter rain away from your foundation.
Cole crops like Brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, collards and kale are made sweeter by frost so harvest them as long as possible. You can also use a cold frame or put up a low-tunnel to extend the season.
Instead of harvesting less hardy late season crops, leave them in the garden and tuck them in with a thick layer of straw so they don’t freeze as early. This includes carrots, beets, leeks, rutabagas, turnips, winter radishes, chard, Chinese cabbage and leaf lettuce. Cover the leaf lettuce first with floating row cover fabric which breathes but will keep the straw out of your salad.
Continue to check houseplants for insects that may have come indoors as you brought the plants inside.
The end of the month should be consistently cold enough to start applying a 2-4” layer of protective mulch.
Spread manure, rotted sawdust, rotted straw, and shredded leaves over the garden and plow them under; you'll be surprised at the difference this organic matter will make in the fertility, physical structure and water-holding capacity of the soil.
Oil and store gas powered equipment like lawn mowers and leaf blowers. Repair shops are in a slow period so arrange for a tune-up and blade sharpening now.
Order seed catalogs now for garden planning in January. For variety, consider companies that specialize in old and rare varieties or wild flowers.
Sow seeds of poppies, hollyhock and bachelor’s buttons.
Start digging up winter carrots as soon as they are big enough.
Harvest bunching onions, then plant more in a new site.
Last chance to plant garlic!
Be ready with blankets for covering lettuce and other half-hardy crops during the first hard freeze.

ZONE 8

If you haven’t already, get your new spring flowering bulbs planted now.
Empty, clean and store planters where they will be dry for the winter.
If you are using a rain barrel or two to conserve water and reduce storm water runoff, they should be emptied and turned over to keep them dry during the winter months. Reconnect your downspout to direct the snowmelt and winter rain away from your foundation.
Cole crops like Brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, collards and kale are made sweeter by frost so harvest them as long as possible. You can also use a cold frame or put up a low-tunnel to extend the season.
Instead of harvesting less hardy late season crops, leave them in the garden and tuck them in with a thick layer of straw so they don’t freeze as early. This includes carrots, beets, leeks, rutabagas, turnips, winter radishes, chard, Chinese cabbage and leaf lettuce. Cover the leaf lettuce first with floating row cover fabric which breathes but will keep the straw out of your salad.
Continue to check houseplants for insects that may have come indoors as you brought the plants inside.
The end of the month should be consistently cold enough to start applying a 2-4” layer of protective mulch.
Spread manure, rotted sawdust, rotted straw, and shredded leaves over the garden and plow them under; you'll be surprised at the difference this organic matter will make in the fertility, physical structure and water-holding capacity of the soil.
Oil and store gas powered equipment like lawn mowers and leaf blowers. Repair shops are in a slow period so arrange for a tune-up and blade sharpening now.
Order seed catalogs now for garden planning in January. For variety, consider companies that specialize in old and rare varieties or wild flowers.
Sow seeds of poppies, hollyhock and bachelor’s buttons.
Start digging up winter carrots as soon as they are big enough.
Harvest bunching onions, then plant more in a new site.
Last chance to plant garlic!
Be ready with blankets for covering lettuce and other half-hardy crops during the first hard freeze.

ZONE 9

Create a display of fall colors with cool-season plants. Some examples include pansy, viola, snapdragon, dianthus, cape daisy, and alyssum.
Continue planting herbs from seeds or plants. A wide variety of herbs prefer cool, dry weather, including cilantro, parsley, sage, and thyme.
Continue planting cool-season crops, such as beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, kale, and lettuce.
Divide and replant overgrown perennials and bulbs now so that they establish before the cold weather arrives.
Take advantage of lower temperatures to apply horticultural oil sprays to control scale insects.
Turn off irrigation systems and water only if needed. Plants need less supplemental watering in cooler weather.
Watch for hornworms on poinsettias and tomatoes planted in the landscape. This pest can quickly defoliate the plant; handpick or treat only the infested area.

ZONE 10

Create a display of fall colors with cool-season plants. Some examples include impatiens, strawflower, cape daisy, and pansy.
Many bulbs like to get their start in cool weather. Bulbs to plant this month include amaryllis, crinum, and the many varieties of elephant's ear.
Continue planting herbs from seeds or plants. A wide variety of herbs like cooler, dryer weather, including cilantro, dill, fennel, parsley, sage, and thyme.
Lots of choices exist for November including beans, broccoli, kale, snow/English peas, and strawberries.
Divide and replant overgrown perennials and bulbs now so that they establish before the coolest weather arrives.
Turn off systems and water only if needed. Plants need less supplemental watering in cooler weather.
Watch for hornworms on tomatoes and poinsettias planted in the landscape. This pest can quickly defoliate a plant. Handpick or treat only the infested area.

	*Article Written by: Angie Lavezzo*
	About the Author: Angie Lavezzo is the former general manager of Sow True Seed. Beyond her professional role at Sow True, Angie's passion for gardening extends into personal hands-on experience, fostering plants and reaping bountiful harvests.