As the crisp air of November settles across France, it’s the perfect time to prepare your garden for the coming winter months. Traditionally, gardeners aim to finish planting before Saint Catherine’s Day, November 25th, to avoid the risk of frost damage. At Seeds Wild, we’re here to guide you through the essential tasks and planting opportunities for this transitional month.
Key Gardening Tasks for November
- Shield Plants from the Chill
November’s low temperatures call for extra care to protect your plants. Cover delicate plants with frost blankets, straw, or burlap. If you have potted plants, consider moving them indoors or into a greenhouse for added warmth. - Tidy Up Garden Borders
Remove dead leaves, spent flowers, and any lingering debris. Clearing your garden beds helps prevent pests and diseases from overwintering in the soil. - Enrich Your Soil with Compost
Now is the ideal time to spread a layer of compost or well-rotted manure over your garden beds. This will nourish the soil and prepare it for robust growth in spring. - Plant Spring-Flowering Bulbs
Get ready for a burst of color in spring by planting bulbs like daffodils, crocuses, and tulips. They’ll develop strong roots during the colder months. - Introduce New Shrubs
Cooler weather and higher rainfall make November a prime time to plant shrubs. This gives them a chance to establish roots before the deep freeze of winter. - Prune and Maintain Fruit Trees
Start winter pruning for your fruit trees. Remove dead or diseased branches to encourage healthy growth when the season changes. - Sow Garlic and Prepare for Winter Vegetables
Plant garlic cloves now for a flavorful harvest next year. You can also continue gathering hardy vegetables like kale, chard, and broccoli.
What to Plant in November
For gardeners in France, November brings opportunities for both outdoor and indoor planting. Here are some ideas to keep your green thumb busy:
- Indoor Planting:Herbs like basil, parsley, and chives thrive on sunny windowsills, offering fresh flavors throughout winter. Flowers like geraniums and violets can also be grown indoors for a touch of color.
- Outdoor Planting:Hardy vegetables such as spinach, radishes, broad beans, and carrots can still be sown. This is also a good time to clone or propagate existing plants to expand your garden.
- Undercover Sowing:With a bit of protection, you can sow seeds for crops like leeks, beetroot, Brussels sprouts, and chard. A cold frame or greenhouse works wonders for these.
A Final Note from Seeds Wild
November’s chill doesn’t mean your gardening journey has to stop. With thoughtful preparation and the right seeds from Seeds Wild, you can keep your garden thriving all year round. Don’t forget to explore our wide range of organic seeds perfect for your November planting needs.
