Allotment & Gardening in November: Preparing for Winter

November is a quieter month for gardeners and allotment holders as the growing season winds down. The nights are longer, the air is crisp, and the garden is transitioning into winter. While there is less harvesting than in autumn, there is still plenty to do to protect your plants and prepare your soil for next year.

Harvest and Storage

Many late-season crops are still available for picking:

• Vegetables: winter cabbage, leeks, Brussels sprouts, parsnips, and remaining root crops like carrots and beetroot.

• Herbs: hardy herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and sage can still be harvested.

• Fruit: apples and late-season pears can be collected and stored for use over winter.

Keep harvesting little and often to prevent waste and encourage any remaining plants to keep producing.

Jobs to Tackle at the Allotment This Month

Even though growth slows, there are important tasks to focus on:

• Clear and tidy plots: Remove spent crops and weeds to reduce pests and diseases over winter.

• Protect tender plants: Use fleece, cloches, or cold frames to shield vulnerable vegetables and herbs from frost.

• Sow cover crops: Green manures like winter rye or vetch improve soil fertility and structure for next year.

• Plan ahead: Take notes on this year’s successes and failures, and begin sketching crop rotation plans for next season.

Flowers and Wildlife

• Enjoy late-blooming flowers such as pansies and hellebores. They provide colour and food for pollinators still active before the cold sets in.

• Collect seeds from perennials and hardy annuals to sow next year.

Composting and Soil Care

• Add garden waste and fallen leaves to compost heaps to create rich soil for spring.

• Mulch vegetable beds to protect soil from frost and erosion.

Final Thought

November is a month of preparation. With the harvest mostly complete, your focus shifts to protecting plants, improving soil, and planning for next year. By tending to these tasks now, you can ensure a productive and healthy growing season when spring arrives.

Here’s to a calm and productive November in the garden.