Garden jobs month by month
Garden jobs in November
In November you plant bare-root trees, hedges and fruit trees, start the winter pruning of apples and pears on frost-free days, and mulch young trees with fallen leaves. Before you move a pile of leaves or branches, check that no hedgehog is sleeping in it.
Updated for 2026
What to do in the garden in November
November marks the start of the planting season for bare-root trees and of winter pruning. A tree planted now has the whole winter to put down roots.
- Plant bare-root trees, hedges and fruit trees (planting season November–March).
- Start the winter pruning of apples and pears, but not in frosty weather.
- Prune mulberry and kiwi once they are fully dormant.
- Spread leaves as mulch around young trees.
- Clear leaves and climbers from the gutters.
What to prune in November?
82 trees and hedges from the guide. When and how for each plant in its pruning guide:
- Beech
- Hornbeam
- Hawthorn
- Redcurrant
- Blackcurrant
- Gooseberry
- Japanese maple
- Hazel
- Pollard willow
- Elder
- Jostaberry
- Blackthorn
What to sow and plant
- Planting out and planting
- crocus, garlic, lily, ornamental onion, rhubarb and tulip
- Harvest from the vegetable garden
- brussels sprouts, carrot, cauliflower, celeriac, chervil, chicory (witloof), Chinese cabbage, endive and 14 more
What to harvest
From trees, shrubs and garden plants:
- Medlar fruit
- Kiwi fruit fruit
- Blackthorn fruit
- Dog rose fruit
- Barberry berries
- Common juniper berries
- Crab apple fruit
- Flowering quince fruit
- Japanese persimmon fruit
- Olive tree fruit
- Sweet-briar fruit
- Wild pear fruit
and 26 more
Recipes
- Medlar jelly Medlar
- Kiwi jam Kiwi fruit
- Sloe gin Blackthorn
- Rose hip tea Dog rose
- Dried barberries Barberry
- Sauerkraut with juniper Common juniper
What’s flowering for bees?
Trees and shrubs with nectar or pollen for bees and bumblebees:
All speciesNature in November
- Hedgehogs are starting to hibernate: check a pile of leaves or branches before you move or burn it.
- Start feeding the birds: fat balls without nets, sunflower seeds and a dish of fresh water.
- Leave hollow stems and faded perennials standing: ladybirds and other insects overwinter in them.
What you can see now
- Most trees are bare: time to recognise them by their buds and bark.
- Holly and alder buckthorn are in berry.
- The fallen leaves of the katsura smell of caramel.
Challenges of the season
All challenges- Leave the leavesLeave leaves under shrubs or make a leaf pile: a winter shelter for hedgehogs and insects.
- Plant 3 native shrubsPlant 3 native trees or shrubs, such as hawthorn, hazel or guelder rose: planting season has begun.
- Measure 3 plantsMeasure 3 trees or plants, with a photo: next year you will see how much they grew.
Wildlife garden in November
All wildlife garden guidesRead more
All articles- Identifying trees in winterWithout their leaves, you can still recognise trees by their buds, bark, silhouette and the fruit that stays on the branches. These features will get you started.
- Planting a tree: how to do it properlyThe right tree in the right place, the best planting season, the planting hole, staking and watering in the first few years. This is how your new tree grows into a healthy old one.
- Shrubs and trees for birds and beesWith the right shrubs and trees, your garden will be in flower from March to October and birds will find berries until deep into winter. How to choose plants for a garden full of life.
- Which hedge should you choose? Hedging plants comparedEvergreen or not, fast or slow, for sun or shade, and good for birds? How to choose the right hedging plant, with the pros and cons of the best-known species.
Coming up
Garden jobs in January
Each monthly page is online six to eight weeks ahead, so you can plan in time.