November garden jobs: your UK winter checklist
November garden jobs centre on frost protection, planting and clearing wet leaves before winter settles in. Start with tender plants, pots and greenhouse checks. Then plant tulips, garlic and bare-root trees when the ground is workable. This UK checklist covers 6 garden areas and keeps timings flexible. Frost, heavy rain and waterlogged soil should decide which job comes first.
Key takeaways
- Move tender plants under suitable cover before cold nights arrive.
- Raise outdoor pots on feet and check that their drainage holes remain clear.
- Plant tulips and bare-root plants when the ground is neither frozen nor waterlogged.
- Clean the greenhouse, test existing heating and allow some airflow on mild days.
- Clear heavy leaf layers from lawns and paths, then use the leaves for leaf mould.
Expert Tip
Let conditions set the order. Protect vulnerable plants before frost, but postpone planting when soil is frozen or waterlogged.
Which November garden jobs should you do first?
Deal with frost risks and slippery leaf-covered paths before starting routine tidying.
The remaining jobs can be spread across the month. Use this table to choose the right task for the weather.
| Garden area | November priority | When to do it |
|---|---|---|
| Greenhouse | Clean, check temperatures and remove dead growth | Before tender plants settle in for winter |
| Pots and tender plants | Improve drainage and provide suitable shelter | Before frost or prolonged wet weather |
| Borders | Plant tulips and bare-root plants | When the soil is workable |
| Vegetable patch | Plant garlic and harvest winter crops | Choose a dry spell with free-draining soil |
| Lawn and paths | Clear fallen leaves | Little and often throughout leaf fall |
| Wildlife areas | Keep shelter and provide clean water | Before colder weather limits natural food |
What should you do in the greenhouse in November?
Keep the greenhouse bright, tidy and airy without assuming it will remain frost-free.
Remove finished crops, fallen leaves and dead plant material. Clean pots and staging, then wash dirty glazing with a suitable cleaner. Follow the maker's care instructions for polycarbonate panels. Remove old summer shading when it is no longer needed.
Check the overnight minimum beside the plants, not beside the door. A Vitavia Max Min Thermometer records temperature extremes and costs £30. Reset it after checking the reading so you can compare colder nights.
Open vents slightly during mild mornings, then close them in the early afternoon. Water only when the compost needs it. Morning watering gives leaves time to dry before night.
Test existing heating before it becomes urgent. If your plants require frost-free conditions, browse our greenhouse heaters and match the equipment to your space.
Insulation can reduce heat loss, but it also blocks some light. Our greenhouse insulation guide explains where it is most useful.
Greenhouse maintenance tip
Keep space between pots and remove dying leaves promptly. Crowded, damp foliage gives grey mould an easy start.
How should you protect pots and tender plants?
Move tender plants to shelter and keep outdoor containers draining freely.
Check each plant's temperature needs before choosing a winter position. A frost-free greenhouse suits some plants, while tropical houseplants may need a warmer room.
Raise pots on feet or bricks so water can escape. Wrap vulnerable containers with hessian, fleece or bubble wrap. Keep the drainage holes open and move pots away from exposed corners where practical.
Inspect plants before bringing them inside. Remove dead leaves and keep anything with pests apart from healthy plants. Our guide to overwintering plants helps you choose suitable shelter.
Dahlias can be lifted after frost blackens the foliage. In mild gardens with free-draining soil, some gardeners leave them beneath a deep, dry mulch. The safer choice depends on the plant, local conditions and available storage.
A cold frame gives hardy young plants shelter from heavy rain and wind. It is not guaranteed to stay frost-free.
What can you plant in November?
Plant tulips, bare-root trees and suitable winter crops when the soil is workable.
November is a useful month for tulip bulbs. Follow the packet's depth and spacing instructions. Plant with the pointed end upwards and avoid waterlogged ground.
Bare-root roses, hedging, trees and fruit bushes also become available now. Keep their roots covered and plant them promptly. Heel them into spare soil temporarily if the final position is frozen or waterlogged.
Spread the roots naturally in a wide planting hole. Water after planting to settle the soil, even when the ground feels damp. Keep mulch away from the stem or graft union.
Garlic can go into free-draining ground in mild areas. In wetter gardens, start cloves in modules under cover. Our greenhouse garlic guide explains that approach.
Hardy broad beans can be sown in sheltered, well-drained gardens. In colder or wetter areas, use pots in an unheated greenhouse or wait until spring.
What needs doing in the vegetable patch?
Harvest what is ready, protect exposed soil and avoid working wet ground.
Leeks, parsnips and winter brassicas can remain outside for picking as needed. Use netting where pigeons damage brassicas. Check that wildlife cannot become trapped beneath it.
Remove spent summer plants and compost healthy material. Put diseased growth in the appropriate council collection instead. Avoid turning soggy soil, because working it can damage the structure.
Cover empty beds with garden compost, leaf mould or another suitable mulch. Cardboard beneath compost can suppress annual weeds on vacant ground. Keep paths clear so wet leaves do not become slippery.
Check stored apples, potatoes, onions and squash regularly. Remove damaged or rotting produce before it affects neighbouring items.
What should you do with leaves, lawns and wildlife?
Clear dense leaf layers from lawns and paths, but leave some shelter in quiet corners.
Wet leaves block light from grass and make hard surfaces slippery. Rake little and often. Mow only during mild weather when the grass is growing and the ground is firm.
Put damp leaves in a wire cage or ventilated sacks. Keep them moist and allow plenty of time for decomposition. Shredding thick leaves first can help them break down more quickly.
Push some leaves beneath hedges or into quiet borders where they can rot naturally. Check piles before moving them because wildlife may already be sheltering there.
Keep bird baths clean and topped up. Clean feeders regularly and remove spoiled food. Leave healthy seedheads and hollow stems where they offer winter food or shelter.
What can you prune or repair in November?
Use November for selective pruning, tree checks and small repairs.
Prune roses lightly where long stems are rocking in the wind. Tie climbers and young trees to sound supports, leaving enough room for growth. Replace damaged ties before they cut into bark.
Apples and pears can be winter-pruned while dormant, but stone fruit should wait for summer. Avoid pruning during severe frost. Remove dead or damaged wood first and keep the tree's natural shape.
Our apple and pear winter-pruning guide covers the cuts in more detail.
Check fences, greenhouse glazing, shed roofs and gutters after windy weather. Repair loose sections before the next storm. Clear blocked drains and keep paths safe without stripping every border bare.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most important November garden jobs?
Protect tender plants, clear leaves and prepare your greenhouse for colder weather. Planting can follow when the soil is workable.
Is November too late to plant tulip bulbs?
No, November is a suitable month for planting tulip bulbs. Follow the packet instructions and avoid frozen or waterlogged ground.
What can I plant in the garden in November?
Plant tulips, bare-root trees, garlic and hardy broad beans where conditions suit. Use modules or pots when outdoor soil stays wet.
Should I heat my greenhouse in November?
Only heat it when the plants inside need frost-free conditions. Measure the overnight minimum beside the plants before deciding.
Should I cut back all perennials in November?
No, leave healthy seedheads and hollow stems where they provide winter shelter. Remove diseased, collapsed or hazardous growth.
Can I mow the lawn in November?
Mow only during mild weather when the grass and soil are firm. Raise the cutting height and avoid frosty or waterlogged turf.
