November in the Garden: Tucking In for Winter

The year leans into its quiet season now. Morning frosts lace the soil in silver, mist hovers in the hedgerows, and the allotment exhales a long, slow breath. November is not a month of busyness, but of gentle tending—wrapping, mulching, and planting small promises beneath the earth.

Step softly among the beds and you’ll find the garden ready to rest, yet whispering of work still to be done.

Harvest to Gather

• Leeks – Standing tall in the cold, ready to be pulled for hearty soups.

• Cabbages & Kale – Their leaves crisp and brave against the frost.

• Brussels Sprouts – Tiny green baubles that sweeten after a touch of frost.

• Parsnips & Carrots – Dig as needed; their flavour deepens in the chill.

• Apples & Pears – Any stragglers can be stored or stewed into comforting puddings.

Tasks to Tend

• Mulch the Beds – Lay down a thick blanket of compost, straw, or leaf mould to keep the soil warm and nourished.

• Clear Spent Crops – Remove the remains of beans, tomatoes, and courgettes; add healthy plants to the compost heap.

• Protect the Tender – Wrap young trees and insulate pots with straw or hessian.

• Plant Garlic & Onions – November’s cold earth is perfect for tucking cloves and sets into rows.

• Rake the Leaves – Gather them into a sack or bin for next year’s rich, crumbly leaf mould.

• Check Tools & Sheds – Oil blades, mend handles, and sweep the shed so it’s tidy for winter.

Planting for Tomorrow

• Fruit Bushes – Plant bare-root currants, gooseberries, or raspberries while the soil is still workable.

• Broad Beans – Sow in sheltered spots for an early spring crop.

• Spring Bulbs – It’s your last chance for daffodils, tulips, and crocuses—pop them in before the ground freezes.

A Seasonal Whisper

“As the earth rests, so may we.”

November invites us to slow down with the garden—clearing, tucking in, and preparing for the long sleep of winter. There’s beauty in this quieter work: the crunch of frosted leaves, the smell of turned soil, and the promise of garlic cloves hidden like treasure.

When your hands grow cold, retreat to the shed with a steaming mug of spiced tea, watching the low sun fall across the plots. For now, the garden sleeps, and so too can we rest awhile, knowing spring will return in its own sweet time.

From our gloved clad hands,

The Fleur Kitchen