Finish planting garlic and spring-flowering bulbs in November.
By Loretta Fitz
A November to-do list for gardeners in and around Sooke*
Finish planting garlic and spring-flowering bulbs.
You can still plant broad beans if your soil temperature is above 8º C.
Mulch winter vegetables well, especially root crops that tend to push above the soil. The fluffier the mulch the better.
Dig up and store dahlia tubers and other tender bulbs.
Move non-hardy potted plants into a frost-free location.
If possible, place outdoor succulent containers under eaves, benches, tables, etc., to protect them from excessive winter rain.
Apply a thick layer of mulch to empty growing spaces to reduce soil leaching and weed growth.
Continue collecting leaves and other coarse organic matter for winter mulch and the compost pile.
Resist the urge to cut back grasses and perennials. They provide valuable winter food and shelter for wildlife.
Drain and store outside hoses and shut off water to outside taps.
Prepare for cold snaps (below -3° C) by organizing temporary covers (e.g., tarps, plastic sheets) for marginal shrubs and winter greens.
Clean workspaces, containers, and tools in preparation for next season.
Apply lime around fruit trees and to beds/areas where you will be planting vegetables (other than potatoes) and herbs next year.
Plant bare-root trees and shrubs now so that they can settle in and benefit from the winter rains.
And, of course …
Continue building compost with fruit and vegetable scraps, dried leaves and plant trimmings, seaweed, manure, and as wide a variety of other seed-free ingredients — both brown and green — as you can find. Remember, the compost feeds the soil, and the soil feeds the plants.
Remove weeds as soon as you see them. They deprive nearby plants of water and valuable nutrients.
Take steps to prevent pests and diseases from ruining your plants. Monitor plants vigilantly, keep tools and work areas clean, follow appropriate planting, growing and pruning techniques, and keep dead/diseased plant material out from under fruit trees and out of beds and containers. Companion planting, floating row covers, slug patrols, etc., can be helpful during the main growing season.
Take time to relax and enjoy the beauty of your garden and the fruits of your labour!
* This list is for general reference only. The timing of many tasks will be affected by weather and related factors. Please be guided not only by local area conditions, but also by conditions within your own gardening microclimate.