10 Jobs for November

 

You might think that the season is drawing to a close right now but you’d be wrong – it’s actually the beginning of the season because now you can start to plant some crops for next season such as Garlic, Peas and Broadbeans. Garlic needs a period of cold so make sure to get some in the ground now in time for the first frosts. 

  1. Plant garlic
  2. Plant new fruit trees and prune existing wall-trained fruit
  3. Sow Broadbeans and Peas
  4. Dig heavy soils and leave in clumps for the frost to break down
  5. Pick off any yellow leaves from Brussels Sprouts
  6. Harvest winter Cabbage, Leeks and Parsnips
  7. Lift Chicory and Rhubarb for forcing. Rhubarb crowns should be at least three years old
  8. Bring in the last of the dried beans such as Runner and French
  9. Wash your pots and seeds trays thoroughly in soapy water. Also clean and oil your tools
  10. Order some seed catalogues

If you have any more suggestions for November jobs, add them to the list.

13 Comments on “10 Jobs for November

  1. How about checking your guttering and water butt? Our site turns off the mains water on 1 November and you’re on your own, water-wise, until 1 March.

    Also, this is the time to be looking at the bulbs you’re forcing for Christmas to be sure that they get the right conditions to be in bloom on Christmas Day, whether that’s greenhouse, cold frame, airing cupboard or just a couple more weeks under the stairs.

  2. This is my third comment on your brilliant site, the other two are about Raspberries and Runner Beans and as you can see I like to maximise my yields with the minimum amount of effort, so when I heard about forcing Rhubarb, I was there, but only so far as putting an upturned containter over the crowns. This year I have dug up the roots and want to grow them in a container, in the cupboard under the stairs, but I want some more information (which I cannot find). Has anyone done it, and if so are the crowns close packed, are they covered with soil, or just placed on compost, are they just watered or do they have to be fed, does lack of air circulation bring on any disease problems? Any answers to the above would be appreciated.

  3. You are so right! There is plenty to do for next year but it is just so hard to get motivated when the weather is dull and depressing.

  4. Any tips on pruning an espalier pear tree please? It’s about 1.5m tall and I planted it earlier this year in my small city garden against a south facing fence. It has a few shoots and twigs appearing and I’m not sure which to chop off. Do I just keep the main branches?
    cheers for any suggestions.

  5. Hi,

    what type of peas? and how are you sowing? are you doing them in a greenhouse, guttering or straight in the ground? alsowhere do you get our seeds from? Sorry for so many questions – am living vicariously since building work means no gardening at moment!

  6. Sow seeds? Where? Cold Frames? What type of seeds? I’m in Vancouver Canada and our seeds this year were miserable little things. I’m hoping for better yield next year.

  7. I wonder if you can tell me whether broad beans will survive frost?
    Luxembourg can sometimes fall to -5 celsius so even though broad beans are fine sown in our Italian garden in the south of Italy, I hesitate to plant them here so soon.

  8. Hi everyone,

    Thanks for all the questions.

    Broadbeans and Peas can go straight in the ground in the UK at this time of year. I would put a cloche or some fleece over them just to get them going. In Luxembourg I would definitely put a sturdy cover over them if you’re expecting a hard frost.

    You need to sow overwintering varieties, Aquadulce for Broadbeans and Douce Provence for Peas.

    The idea is that they will grow slowly over the winter and then put a spurt on it in early Spring and be the first ones to fruit.

    I buy most of my seeds from Organic Catalogue http://www.organiccatalogue.com

  9. I’ve love your site and i’m learning so much from it. I wanted to tell you about growveg.com where i drew up my masterplan! I did the 28 day trial which alas has timed out but it was SO much fun I though you’d like it.
    do check out my (young) blog
    http://lettuceandlove.blogspot.com/

    best wishes Tash

  10. By the way it may sound like I work for growveg.com or some association but i have none at all.

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  13. Thanks for the advice about planting garlic……………….Now I know why my last planting failed…………….Better late than never