Your gardening tasks for November

by GardenAdvice · Published 18 November 2025 · Updated 18 November 2025

Wisteria: Source the replacement now so you’re ready to plant before leaf-out next spring. If you’ve already got the new plant, keep it well-watered while it establishes if planting now; otherwise hold off until spring if the rootball is at risk of waterlogging.
Rose on the arch: Remove dead wood and thin weak stems now if accessible — but leave major structural pruning until the main autumn prune if you prefer. Avoid heavy pruning in wet clay conditions.
Laurel & right-hand side shrubs: Light shaping / remove dead material this month as needed; avoid heavy shearing when the soil is soggy (compaction risk). A useful reference: Feeding a Laurel Hedge GardenAdvice.co.uk
Perennials/grasses (e.g., Pennisetum, Sedum, Hylotelephium): After the first hard frost, cut back tender top growth but leave seedheads where you want winter interest or wildlife food.
Agapanthus & other tender plants in pots: Either move pots to a sheltered position, mulch the top of the compost heavily, or insulate pots (e.g., bubble-wrap or straw). Consider bringing the most tender specimens undercover if you have space.
Pest checks: Check containers and sheltered areas for vine weevil damage and slugs (they can still be active on mild autumn days). Apply pest control early if you have recurring issues (e.g., nematodes) — for example see the Ant problems in the garden article for idea of pest monitoring. GardenAdvice.co.uk

Planting: November is a good month to plant garlic (autumn-planted varieties) and to plant onion/shallot sets if ground conditions allow. In heavy clay choose raised beds or broad, well-composted trenches to avoid waterlogging.
Protecting fruit trees: Stake and shelter young fruit trees and fit rabbit guards if deer/rabbits are a concern; mulch heavily with well-rotted organic material but keep mulch away from the trunk collar.
Chicken pellets/fertilizer: According to your notes, chicken pellet fertilizer is to be applied carefully (and to avoid when your dog Bonny is nearby). Apply according to label instructions and keep pets away until the pellets have been watered in or absorbed.

Don’t cultivate wet clay. If beds are sodden, postpone digging — walking or digging boggy clay causes long-term compaction. Instead, top-dress with spent mushroom compost or well-rotted organic matter to slowly improve texture.
Lawn compaction: Targeted fork-aerate compacted areas only (as noted in your plan). Wait for a drier spell if turf is saturated. A soil test suggested the lawn is slightly acidic — hold off lime application until you confirm pH or the team recommends it.
General feeding / liquid feed advice: For guidance on using hose-end feeders and liquid feeds see: How to apply liquid plant food GardenAdvice.co.uk+2GardenAdvice.co.uk+2

Bulb planting: Plant tulips, crocus and iris reticulata in naturalistic groups while the soil is workable; snowdrops are to be planted “in the green” in February as per your plan (so leave those until then).
Top-dress borders: Arrange delivery and tipping logistics for the spent mushroom compost and top-dress borders where planned; lay protective tarpaulin to receive the load and keep the area tidy. Once top-dressed, introduce lobworms or incorporate organically to help soil recovery.
Mulch & pause feeding: Mulch now to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. The plan recommends pausing heavier feeding until around Christmas when you apply a light Growmore dressing, then resume liquid feeding in spring. See “Feeding your garden plants” for more. GardenAdvice.co.uk
Leaf management & composting: Collect leaves for leaf mould and use a proportion as mulch. Keep a supply of leaf mould for acid-loving pockets (rhododendron/camellia beds).
Containers: Empty and re-pot tender perennials into John Innes compost where needed; top up compost and check drainage. Use a hose-end feeder or watering can (as previously advised) for the spring/summer feeding routine — now is a good time to check feeder settings so you’re ready.

3 — Additional recommendations

Priority tasks for November (do these first)

Top-dress borders with spent mushroom compost (organise delivery & tipping; site prep).
Targeted lawn spiking/fork-aeration of compacted areas on a dry day.
Plant tulips/crocus/iris reticulata in groups; leave snowdrops until February.
Replace wisteria (source correct colour / pot up if necessary) and protect/integrate into the arch planting scheme.

Suggested improvements

Improve long-term clay structure by regular autumn/winter top-dressing with well-rotted organic matter and adding worms/lobworms as planned — this will reduce water-logging and improve rooting.
Raised veg beds or wide double-dug beds for vegetables to avoid water-logging on heavy clay. If you grow more veg, a raised bed will give earlier and more reliable cropping.
Front hedge plan: progress with the clematis decision (variety/size) so planting can be scheduled early next season.

Problem-prevention tips

Avoid working wet clay — it compacts. If the soil is sticky, postpone digging and focus on surface tasks.
Pet safety with fertilizers: Apply chicken pellets and other manures carefully and keep dogs (particularly Bonny) away until materials are integrated/watered in.
Bulb rotting risk: Don’t plant bulbs into saturated soil — wait for a workable window and add grit or compost to improve drainage in heavy spots before planting.

Long-term project ideas

Front hedge planting with clematis & climbers (decide variety and size now). This will give a strong seasonal framework and reduce maintenance if you choose robust varieties.
Soil improvement programme over 2–3 years: annual autumn top-dress, winter green manures in spare beds and targeted worm introduction.
Better drainage for specific problem areas (sub-soil drainage or planting rain-loving beds) if water-logging persists.