Gardening tips for November

 

November is the month when peace and quiet slowly but surely descends upon the garden. The days become noticeably shorter, the temperatures drop, and the leaves fall from the trees. For garden owners, this means: It's time to prepare the garden for winter.

We explain which gardening tasks should be done in view of the approaching winter in our gardening tips for November.

Contents

• Gardening Checklist in November
• Offer bird food
• Prune perennials
• Clean and store garden tools
• Protect water pipes

Gardening Checklist in November Offer food to garden birds Prune perennials Clean and store garden tools Protect water pipes from frost House sparrow eating birdseed in the garden. Even in November, garden birds find very little food. Offer birdseed! Image source: pixabay.com, Carola68

Offer bird food

The cold months present a challenge for feathered garden inhabitants to find food. Most insects have either already died or retreated to their winter quarters. Offer the birds food. Since not all garden birds eat the same things, we have compiled a feeding recommendation for different bird species: table tbody tr Bird species Recommended food td width="201"> Notes td width="201"> td width="201"> td width="201"> td width="201"> td width="201"> Fruit, berries, earthworms, raisins td width="201"> Blackbirds enjoy eating both animal and plant-based food. td width="201"> ttr width="201">

Robin

Insects, mealworms, soft fruits

Prefer small, soft food that they can easily peck.

Tit

Sunflower seeds, suet seeds, insects

Suet balls and blocks, as well as special suet balls, are suitable.

Common Redstart

Insects, berries, apple pieces

Prefers insects, but also enjoys soft fruits.

Magpie

Eggs, nuts, seeds, scraps

Are omnivores that also obtain food from scraps and the ground.

Sparrow

Grains, seeds, small insects

Easy to feed with a mixture of seeds and small insects.

Ideally, offer a variety of different types of food to support the natural feeding habits of your garden birds.

Tip: Read here how you can make suet balls yourself.

In November, you can cut back faded perennials. However, feel free to leave grasses standing – they provide shelter for insects. Image source: pixabay.com, Nennieinszweidrei

Cutting back perennials

If you haven't already done so in October, you can cut back perennials that fade in autumn. These include, among others: Broom: Both spring and summer-flowering varieties can be cut back in autumn to encourage growth the following year. Phlox: This perennial benefits from being cut back until mid-November. Coneflower: Coneflowers can also be cut back generously in autumn. Peony: This is cut back to just a few centimeters above the ground in autumn. By cutting back the plants, they are prepared for the cold season and can sprout better in spring. However, not every perennial should be cut back in autumn. Some, like sedum or grasses, offer a beautiful sight in winter with their seed heads and provide protection and shelter for insects.

Tip: Also read our detailed guide on pruning perennials in autumn.

 

You can clean and store garden tools and equipment in November. Image source: pixabay.com, Ben_Kerckx

Clean and store garden tools

Garden tools that you won't need until the next gardening season can be cleaned and stored. Tools such as shears, watering cans, pitchforks, and rakes should first be thoroughly cleaned and then disinfected to kill any germs.

Protect water pipes

To protect water pipes in the garden from frost damage, you can take several measures.

Drain the water from pipes that won't be needed during the winter before the first frost. Open all taps to ensure no water remains in the pipes.

Wrap the pipes with insulating materials such as bubble wrap, polystyrene, or old bags. Ensure the insulation seals tightly.

Regularly check that the insulation is still intact and shows no signs of frost damage. Important: Avoid forcibly thawing frozen pipes. In this case, contact a professional.