What to Do in the Garden in November (a.k.a. The Great Canadian Garden Cool-Down)

Ah, November. The month when the garden stops shouting “Look at me!” and starts whispering, “Okay, I’m going to nap now.”

The air smells like wood smoke and wet leaves, the birds are packing for Florida, and you’re wondering if you should still be doing things in the yard. (Spoiler: yes, you should.)

Here in Georgina’s growing zone 5, November is the month to button things up, tuck in your plants, and do a little garden TLC before the snow officially moves in for the season. Think of it as closing time for the garden — but you’re the manager locking up.

Let’s dig in (pun intended).

 

1. Clean Up… But Not Like You’re Expecting the Queen

Everyone’s first instinct is to go full Marie Kondo on the garden the second the leaves fall. But not everything needs to be spotless out there. Nature’s a little messy — and that’s actually a good thing.

Do rake the leaves off your lawn, because a thick, soggy mat of leaves will smother your grass like a bad weighted blanket. Compost or mulch them instead.

Don’t clear every last leaf out of your garden beds. A bit of leaf litter is like a cozy duvet for your soil and gives beneficial bugs and butterflies a safe winter hideout.

Do pull out annuals and anything diseased or rotting. Those go in the yard waste, not the compost — nobody wants to compost next year’s problems.

Don’t cut down every single perennial. Leave the sturdy ones standing — things like coneflowers, grasses, and black-eyed Susans feed birds and give your garden winter structure (aka: it won’t look like a crime scene come December).

2. Rose Care: Because Even Divas Need Winter Prep

If your roses were the star of the summer show, it’s time to make sure they don’t freeze their petals off this winter. November’s the month to show them a little tough love before the deep freeze sets in.

• Cut them back — but not too much.Trim long or spindly canes to about 18–24 inches to prevent winter wind from snapping them.
• Clean up the area around your roses — remove fallen leaves and debris to avoid overwintering diseases like black spot or mildew.
• Mound them up — Once the ground starts to chill (around mid- to late-November), pile 8–12 inches of soil or compost around the base of each plant. This creates a cozy little soil blanket that keeps roots frozen solid — not constantly freezing and thawing, which is what really causes winter damage. 
• Optional extra credit — After the mound freezes, you can add a layer of mulch or evergreen boughs overtop for added insulation. 

Basically, treat your roses like you’d treat yourself before a blizzard: trim the frizz, tidy up, and wrap up tight.

 

3. Lawn: Last Call Before Winter

If your lawn could talk, it’d be saying, “Hey, one more drink of water and a snack before bed?” November’s the perfect time to give it what it needs to survive winter and wake up happy in spring.

• Fertilize one last time if you haven’t already — use a fall blend that’s higher in potassium and phosphorus for strong roots. Skip the high-nitrogen stuff; that just encourages growth that winter will slap down anyway.
• Keep mowing until the grass stops growing. The final mow should be shortish — about 2 to 2½ inches. Too long, and snow mould moves in. Too short, and your lawn sulks all winter.
• Rake up those stubborn last leaves.
• Unhook and drain hoses, irrigation lines, and sprinklers — frozen hoses are basically expensive garden popsicles.

4. Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Friends

This is their quiet time too, but they appreciate a little attention before the cold sets in.

• Prune lightly. Remove any dead, diseased, or crossing branches. You’re giving them a haircut, not a buzz cut.
• Protect the trunks. Wrap young trees with tree guards or burlap if you have deer or rabbits nearby (and let’s be honest, in Georgina… we do).
• Mulch around the base to insulate the roots and prevent freeze-thaw heaving — but don’t make a “mulch volcano.” Keep it a few inches away from the trunk so you don’t accidentally rot your tree.
• Still planting? Go for it! As long as the ground isn’t frozen solid, you can still plant trees and shrubs. They’ll quietly start rooting in while you’re sipping cocoa inside.

5. Perennials and Bulbs: The Beauty Sleepers

It’s your last call for spring-flowering bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and crocus. Get them in the ground before it freezes and they’ll reward you with colour when you’ve almost forgotten what green looks like.

Dig, drop, done — and sprinkle a little bulb food in there for good measure.

Pro tip: If the squirrels in your yard have master’s degrees in bulb theft (and they probably do), try planting bulbs under a thin layer of chicken wire or using daffodils — they’re rodent-repellent and gorgeous.

For perennials:

• Divide and transplant any that have gotten too cozy over the summer.
• Cut back the mushy or diseased ones.
• Leave hardy ones standing — they’ll add winter interest and feed birds. 

And if you love ornamental grasses, don’t cut them down yet. Let them wave dramatically in the snow like nature’s feather boas.

6. The Veggie Garden: One Last Hurrah

If your veggie patch still has life in it, now’s your moment.

• Harvest any lingering root crops (carrots, beets, parsnips). The cooler temps actually make them sweeter.
• Plant garlic if you haven’t already. It loves a November chill — just make sure it’s in well-drained soil.
• Pot up a few herbs like parsley, thyme, and rosemary to bring indoors. You’ll thank yourself when you’re cooking holiday meals.
• Pull out spent plants, add compost, and spread mulch to protect the soil. 

Then give the garden a little pat and say, “See you in the spring, friend.”

7. Tools, Hoses, and Other Unsung Heroes

Before winter locks you out of your shed:

• Clean and sharpen your tools. A quick scrub, some oil on the blades, and they’ll be ready to roll in spring.
• Drain hoses and irrigation lines — frozen water expands, cracks, and ruins your gear.
• Empty your pots and containers. Wet soil expands when it freezes and can crack ceramic or plastic. (If you’ve ever heard a “pop” in January and found a broken pot later, you know the pain.) And, you'll be ready to put your winter greens in your planters!

Store everything neatly — and maybe make a mental note to finally organize that tool corner next year.

8. Dream, Plan, and Plot

When the garden’s asleep, the gardener plans. November’s a great time to dream about next year while your coffee’s hot and your fingers aren’t frozen.

Ask yourself:

• What worked this year? (Yay, tomatoes!)
• What didn’t? (Boo, powdery mildew.)
• What would make your yard even better? (A hedge? A pollinator patch? A fire pit to admire all your hard work from?) 

Sketch, research, and browse plant catalogues. You’ll beat the spring rush and get first pick of the good stuff.

9. Be Kind to the Critters

Before you go all “clean sweep,” remember that a little mess can be magic for wildlife.

• Leave seed heads for birds.
• Skip raking every last leaf — some butterflies and bees overwinter there.
• Stack branches or create a small brush pile in a corner for beneficial insects. 

Your garden isn’t just for you — it’s a mini ecosystem. Let it breathe and buzz, even in winter.

10. Bonus Round: The Indoor Side of Gardening

Don’t forget about your houseplants! They’ll notice the shorter days too.

• Move them closer to bright windows.
• Cut back on watering — some houseplants go semi-dormant in winter.
• Check for hitchhiking bugs if you brought any plants inside recently (spider mites love central heating). 

And if you’re missing the garden too much, start a few pots of herbs on the windowsill. Nothing beats the smell of fresh basil on a grey day.

Wrapping It Up (Literally and Figuratively)

So there you have it, November gardening in Georgina is like tucking in a toddler — a little chaos, a lot of blankets, and maybe some bribery (okay, maybe not that last part). 

Once you’ve: 

1. Cleaned up the garden (but not too much)
2. Prepped the lawn
3. Protected trees and shrubs
4. Put your veggie beds to bed
5. Sharpened your tools
6. Dreamed about next year’s masterpiece… 

You can officially declare yourself done. Pour yourself a hot chocolate, admire your work, and know that your garden is safely snoozing under its snowy duvet, dreaming of spring blooms.

Need mulch, tree guards, spring bulbs, or ideas for your 2026 garden refresh? Pop into Georgina Garden Centre — we’ve got everything you need to wrap up fall and start planning your best garden yet. Because even in November, your garden (and your inner gardener) deserve a little love.

Happy gardening!