What to Grow in November: Protecting and Preparing Your Garden for Winter

As autumn fades and winter takes hold, gardening in November is less about vibrant growth and more about care, protection, and planning. The work you do now lays the groundwork for a strong start next spring.

From planting hardy crops to shielding delicate roots, this is the month to prepare your garden for colder weather and using wool in the garden can make all the difference.

Vegetables to Grow in November

While November’s cold might slow most growth outdoors, there are still opportunities for planting and maintaining your kitchen garden. Hardy vegetables like garlic, onions, shallots, and broad beans can all go in the ground this month. These crops benefit from a cold spell and will be well established by spring.

If your soil is heavy or waterlogged, consider starting these in trays or modules under cover and transplanting later. Spinach, chard, and winter lettuce can also be grown in a cold frame or greenhouse. Indoors, you can sow microgreens, herbs, and even pea shoots for a quick, fresh harvest.

When transplanting seedlings or overwintering plants, Hortiwool Garden Pads are a natural way to insulate the soil and retain warmth. Placed around the base of young plants, the pads help stabilise soil temperature and reduce the effects of frost. Wool’s natural fibres also retain moisture without becoming waterlogged, providing consistent hydration to roots.

Fruit to Plant or Protect

If you’re planting bare-root fruit trees or soft fruit bushes like raspberries and currants, November is the ideal time. The ground is still workable, and the plants can settle before the hardest frosts arrive.

Mulching around the base of these new plantings is essential to lock in warmth and moisture. This is where using wool in the garden really shines. A layer of Hortiwool Garden Pads around the base of fruit trees or bushes acts as a natural, breathable insulator. The pads also slowly release nutrients back into the soil as they biodegrade, supporting root health through winter.

Check existing fruit plants for signs of damage and prune away any dead or diseased wood. For strawberries, remove old foliage and protect crowns with fleece or straw. Again, Hortiwool pads can provide excellent insulation here, especially in pots or raised beds where roots are more exposed to the cold.

Flowers and Ornamentals

Though November isn’t a prime month for sowing many flowers outdoors, you can still plant hardy spring bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and crocuses if the soil isn’t frozen. Indoors, sweet peas can be started in pots or root trainers. They’ll grow strong roots over winter, ready for planting out in spring.

Tender perennials such as dahlias, pelargoniums, and fuchsias should be lifted, cleaned, and stored in a frost-free space. You can line storage crates or pots with Hortiwool Garden Pads to help regulate temperature and humidity. The wool will protect tubers from sudden chills while allowing airflow to prevent rot.

General Gardening Jobs in November

With frost approaching, November is the month to give your garden some TLC and prepare it for rest:

• Mulch and insulate beds and borders using organic matter or Hortiwool Garden Pads to protect soil from erosion and nutrient loss.

• Cover crops with fleece, cloches, or horticultural wool to extend the growing season.

• Collect fallen leaves to make leaf mould, or use them to insulate compost heaps.

• Clean and store tools, pots, and greenhouse glass to prevent mould and rust.

• Feed the soil with well-rotted compost — the worms will do the rest over winter.

• Check wildlife shelters: clear out bird boxes, top up feeders, and ensure hedgehog houses remain undisturbed.

Using Wool in the Garden This Winter

Wool is one of nature’s most versatile materials for gardeners. When used as a mulch or liner, it offers insulation, moisture regulation, and a slow nutrient release. These are all essential for protecting and feeding your plants through winter.

Hortiwool Garden Pads are designed to make using wool in the garden simple and sustainable. Whether you’re wrapping pots, lining planters, or covering soil, these natural pads provide protection, warmth, and nourishment through the coldest months. Plus, they’re fully compostable. So when spring arrives, they can simply be dug into the soil to enrich it further.

Final Thoughts

Gardening in November may seem quiet, but it’s a crucial time for care and preparation. With a little planning, a touch of planting, and the natural power of wool, your garden will stay healthy, protected, and ready to flourish when the warmer days return.