Garden Guide November
November Gardening Guide for the PNW
As the winds of November sweep through, nature begins to reclaim the garden, turning summer’s neat rows into a chaotic, yet purposeful, retreat. This is the time to embrace the wildness while preparing for the cold months ahead, protecting the soil, and encouraging underground activity. Eco-Restore is here to help you transition your garden into its winter phase while ensuring it remains healthy and productive for spring.
Leaf Mulch: Nature’s Blanket
With leaves swirling around, gather them from paved areas and lawns to use as a protective mulch. If you aren’t growing cover crops in your vegetable beds, spread 6 to 12 inches of leaves over them. Secure the mulch with floating row cover or burlap sacks to protect the soil from heavy rainfall, reduce erosion, and promote earthworm activity.
Don’t be too tidy—many plants, especially those growing under trees, thrive with a layer of leaves around them. Gently rake fallen leaves and then lightly scatter them between perennials. Leaf mulch acts as insulation for roots, providing a natural frost barrier while creating a habitat for beneficial insects like ground beetles. Eco-Restore can help you design low-maintenance, biodiverse spaces that integrate these natural mulching techniques to support your garden’s ecosystem.
Vegetables and Herbs: November’s Last Planting
As winter approaches, there’s still time to sow a few key crops that will reward you in the spring:
Garlic & Shallots: These bulbs may lie dormant above ground but are busy below, with their roots actively developing. A robust root system is essential for healthy spring growth, so now is the perfect time to plant them. Sow cloves 2 inches deep, pointed end up, in well-drained soil. Cover them with 2 inches of straw mulch to protect them from frost. Eco-Restore can help you prepare your beds and choose the right varieties, such as Silverskin, Artichoke, or Hardneck garlic, ensuring a bountiful spring harvest.
Rye, Fava Beans, Wheat: These cover crops offer excellent soil protection and enrich your garden with organic matter as they grow. Protect seeds from squirrels and birds using floating row covers, but remove them once the seeds sprout. Eco-Restore specializes in small-scale cover cropping that nourishes your soil and promotes healthy growth.
Pea Family: Plant Fava Beans, Fenugreek, or Field Peas to build nitrogen in your soil. These legumes are cold-hardy and will help condition your beds for spring planting.
Flowers: Spring Bulbs to Brighten the Dark Days
Take advantage of November’s clear days to plant spring-flowering bulbs. Dense clusters of bulbs provide a more striking effect than scattering them throughout the garden.
Lily Family: For a dramatic spring display, plant Lilium species such as L. henryi, L. pardalinum, and Trumpet hybrids.
Tulips: Consider varieties like T. fosteriana, T. kaufmanniana, or Darwin hybrids for vibrant, long-lasting blooms.
Daffodils and Ornamental Alliums: Choose varieties such as Artic Gold, Jetfire, or Quail for bold yellows and whites. Ornamental alliums like A. christophii and A. moly add unique textures to your spring garden.
Snowflakes and Trilliums: For a naturalized woodland feel, plant Leucojum and Trillium species in shady spots. These bulbs bring subtle elegance to your garden’s edges in early spring.
Eco-Restore can help you design and plant these clusters for maximum visual impact while incorporating natural elements like logs and stones to enhance habitat for beneficial insects.
How Eco-Restore Can Help
Eco-Restore offers expert guidance to prepare your garden for year round success. We specialize in sustainable garden design, using permaculture principles to ensure your garden thrives through the seasons. Contact us before the end of the year to plan a spring garden full of color and productivity, starting with the right fall plantings. If you are a hands-on learner maybe garden coaching is a good fit for you. New series starts in January!
Let November be a month of quiet preparation, embracing the wild beauty of the season while giving your garden what it needs for a vibrant year ahead!
