November Gardening: A Regional Guide
Introduction
November is a time of transition in the garden. In some regions, gardeners are preparing their gardens for winter, while in others, they are still harvesting fresh produce. This article provides a regional guide to November gardening, offering tips and advice for gardeners in different parts of the United States.
Pacific Northwest
As the weather cools and becomes wetter in the Pacific Northwest, gardeners should focus on preparing their plants for the coming cold and snow. Mulching is essential for protecting plants from the elements and ensuring their survival into the spring. Gardeners should also continue planting spring flowering bulbs, perennial shrubs, and wildflower seeds.
West
Gardeners in the West can continue to harvest both warm and cool season crops in November. They can also make additional succession plantings of vegetables that will mature before the first frost. This is also an ideal time to plant perennials, shrubs, and trees. In areas that have experienced a frost, gardeners should begin cleaning up their gardens and removing dead plant matter.
Northern Rockies and Plains
In the Northern Rockies and Plains, November is all about preparing for the cold weather to come. Gardeners should cover and mulch perennial flowering plants to protect them from the elements. They should also complete any remaining harvests of cool season vegetable crops and store them properly for future use.
Southwest
The arrival of cooler temperatures in the Southwest means that gardeners can continue to harvest and sow cool season crops. However, they should be aware that many regions may not receive much rainfall during this time. Therefore, it is important to monitor and irrigate gardens regularly. Gardeners should also consider preparing frost blankets and row covers, as many locations may see their first frosts in November.
Upper Midwest
In the Upper Midwest, gardeners should complete harvesting cool season vegetable crops before the threat of early season snowfall. They should also begin preparing perennial flowers and shrubs for winter by mulching them thoroughly.
Ohio Valley
Gardeners in the Central Ohio Valley can continue to harvest cool season crops in November. However, as the weather turns colder, these crops may require the use of row covers or frost blankets during periods of exceptional cold. This is also the last opportunity to plant spring flowering bulbs such as tulips and daffodils before the ground begins to freeze.
Southeast
November in the Southeast allows for the harvest of both cool season and warm season vegetable crops. Many locations in this region will see their first frost during the month of November. Gardeners can prepare for this by using row covers and/or frost blankets. They should also begin revitalizing their garden beds for the next growing season by removing weeds and adding compost or soil amendments.
South Central
In the South-Central region, gardeners can continue to harvest both cool season and warm season vegetables throughout the month of November. Cool season crops, in particular, may continue to be succession sowed. Southern gardeners should also begin sowing cool season flower seeds which will bloom from winter and into spring. Some regional gardening to-do lists will need to consider frost protection, as some locations will see their first frosts of the season.
Northeast
Many gardeners in the Northeast will need to complete the planting of spring bulbs in November, as long as the soil has not frozen. They should also protect perennial plants, as well as evergreens, from potential damage caused by snow or severe cold temperatures. Gardeners should also harvest any and all remaining cool season vegetable crops from the garden before the first snowfall arrives.
Conclusion
November is a busy month for gardeners in all regions of the United States. By following the tips and advice provided in this article, gardeners can ensure that their plants are well-prepared for the winter ahead and that they can continue to enjoy fresh produce from their gardens throughout the season.
