🌧️ What to Plant
in November
November — the garden settles into its winter sleep. Finish the clear-up, protect frost-sensitive plants, and plant fruit trees while the soil is still workable. A good November gives you a head start in spring.
🌿 Plant outdoors
November is ideal for planting fruit trees with root balls. The soil is still workable and root establishment continues until the ground freezes hard.
Plant balled-root trees
Plant cherry trees in November in a sunny, sheltered spot. Stake firmly. Water in well and mulch the base with a 10 cm layer of compost.
Plant balled-root trees
Plant plum trees in a sheltered, sunny spot. Plums are less demanding than cherries but benefit from a warm position in Central Europe.
Plant in a sheltered spot
Plant apricots in the most sheltered, sunny position you have — south or south-west facing wall is ideal. Apricots flower early and need frost protection in spring.
Plant against a sheltered sunny wall
Plant peaches in the warmest, most sheltered spot. Fan-training against a south-facing wall gives the best results in Czech Republic.
💧 Water and care for
Water newly planted trees in dry spells. Protect evergreens from wind desiccation and tie in columnar conifers to prevent snow damage.
Water before the ground freezes. Tie columnar varieties with soft twine to prevent snow opening and splitting them.
Overwinter healthy chilli plants on a cool, bright windowsill. Water sparingly — just enough to prevent complete drying out.
🏠 Bed clear-up & winter protection
Completing these tasks in November protects your garden through winter and gives you a head start in spring.
Collect and dispose of fallen apples — do not compost diseased fruit. Whitewash trunks with lime wash to prevent frost cracks and deter overwintering pests.
Mound soil 15 cm around the base. Collect and remove fallen leaves — they harbour black spot spores. Do not prune until spring.
Check stored dahlia tubers for rot once a month. Remove any that are rotting before they spread. Store in cool, dark, frost-free conditions.
Trim back and reduce watering dramatically. Overwinter in a cool garage or shed (5–8°C). They need very little water and light over winter.
Cover the base with a thick mulch of leaves or bark. In frost-prone areas, loosely wrap with garden fleece. Do not prune until spring.
Cover the root zone with a deep bark mulch for winter. Rhododendrons have shallow roots vulnerable to ground freeze. Do not allow to dry out.
💡 November gardening tips
- ✓Finish all bed clear-ups before hard frost makes the ground too solid to work
- ✓Protect roses and tender shrubs with fir branches or garden fleece
- ✓Clean and oil garden tools before winter storage
- ✓Order seed catalogues and start planning next season
⚠️ Common November mistakes
- ✗Leaving garden tools outside in wet weather — they rust and wooden handles split
- ✗Forgetting to protect frost-sensitive plants left outside
- ✗Not draining hosepipes and irrigation systems before they freeze
Frequently asked questions
Can I plant fruit trees in November in Czech Republic? ▼
Yes — November is an excellent month for planting fruit trees with root balls (balled and burlapped or container-grown). The soil is still unfrozen and warm enough for root establishment before winter. Plant cherries, plums, apricots and peaches in sheltered, sunny spots. Bare-root trees can also be planted from November onwards when they go fully dormant.
How should I protect roses for winter? ▼
Mound soil 15–20 cm around the base of each rose bush in late October or November — before the first hard frosts. This protects the graft union, which is the most vulnerable part. Do not prune roses in autumn — leave the canes; spring pruning is better. Collect and remove fallen rose leaves (they harbour disease spores).
What garden tasks should I do in November? ▼
Key November tasks: complete all bed clear-ups; protect roses and tender shrubs with soil mounding, straw or fleece; bring in geraniums, rosemary and tender perennials if not done in October; whitewash fruit tree trunks to prevent frost cracks; drain hosepipes and irrigation systems; clean and oil garden tools before storing.
Should I prune my roses in November? ▼
No — in Czech Republic it is better to prune roses in spring (March), not in autumn. Autumn pruning removes the natural frost protection provided by the canes and can stimulate soft growth that is killed by hard frost. In November, simply mound soil around the base and collect fallen leaves to reduce disease spores overwintering.
Plan next year in November
Use the quiet winter months to plan your ideal garden. A free diary helps you order seeds and plan beds for spring.
Create free garden diary →