What to do in the Garden in November

Maintenance and Clean Up

·  Check potatoes in storage and remove any going bad.

·  Place a portable cold frame over rows of winter vegetables.

·  Place mulch around berries and other plants for winter protection.

·  Cover rhubarb and asparagus beds with compost and straw or leaf mulch.

·  Rake leaves and use as mulch to suppress weeds, define beds, and enrich soil.

·  Drain and store hoses carefully to avoid damage from freezing.

·  Last chance to plant cover crops for soil building. 

·  Cover favorite tender plants to protect from frosts.

·  Chemical fertilizers applied now will be largely leached away by rain and can pollute downstream areas.

Bioswales and rain gardens can be very simply shallow depressions in your yard that can hold a little extra rainwater until it has time to soak in.  Or you can have a lot of fun with planting and arranging stone; even build a bridge.  

Click here for the Oregon Rain Garden Guide

Planting and Propagation

·  Take cuttings from shrubs; propagate begonias from leaf cuttings.

Rosemary cuttings

This is slow green magic!  If you've never tried striking cuttings, you've got to experience the magic for yourself.  And don't worry - you can do it!  The magic is in the plants already, you just have to keep them moist and protected from too much sun or wind.  Try several cuttings of several plants to hedge your bets and see what happens.  The link below will give you some tips for improving your chances.

Click here for more information on taking cuttings

·  Plant window garden of lettuce, chives, parsley.

·  Good time to plant trees and shrubs. Consider ones that supply food and shelter for birds (Cascara, elderberry, currant, aronia, service berry).

·  Plant spring-flowering bulbs.

·  Plant garlic.