November in the Pacific Northwest is a quiet but important month for gardeners. The air is cool and damp, the leaves have mostly fallen, and the soil is still workable before deep winter sets in. While much of your landscape is preparing to rest, this is the perfect time to give your garden the care and protection it needs to thrive next spring.
At Al’s Garden & Home, we believe gardening doesn’t stop when the temperatures drop. It simply shifts to a new season of preparation and observation.
Prep and Protect
Before winter arrives in full force, focus on caring for your garden’s foundation. Clear away fallen leaves from lawns and beds to prevent rot and disease and cut back perennials that have fully died down for the year. Plants with sturdy stems or decorative seed heads can be left in place for winter interest and to provide food for birds.
Adding a layer of compost or mulch around trees, shrubs, and perennials will help regulate soil temperature, improve drainage, and protect roots through the cold months. It’s also a good time to check areas of your yard that tend to collect water after heavy rain and make sure drainage is working properly. For more tender plants, cover them on especially cold nights or move containers under shelter before the first frost. These small steps now will make a big difference when spring returns.
Add a Little Fresh Color
Even though many plants have gone dormant, you can still bring color and life to your outdoor spaces. Refresh your containers with hardy plants and evergreens that hold their shape through cold weather. Natural materials like twigs, branches, pinecones, and berries can be added to create texture and a festive touch. Porch planters and window boxes can easily transition into the holidays with a mix of greenery and winter accents.
If you need a little inspiration, stop by any Al’s location to see our winter container displays or talk with our team about creating your own custom arrangement.
Think Ahead
November is one of the best months of the year for planting in the Northwest. The soil remains warm enough for root growth, even as the air cools. Trees and shrubs planted now have time to settle in before going dormant, which helps them establish faster when spring arrives. This is also the time to finish planting bulbs for early color next year, and to prepare vegetable beds for the next growing season by adding compost or planting a cover crop. Light pruning of dead or damaged branches can be done now, but it’s best to save heavier pruning for late winter.
Even though growth above ground has slowed, plenty is happening beneath the surface. The roots you encourage now will become the strong foundation for next year’s garden.
Enjoy the Season
Gardening in November is about slowing down and appreciating the beauty that remains. The shapes of bare branches, the scent of damp soil, and the sound of rain all have their own kind of calm. Keep bird feeders full to welcome visiting wildlife and leave a few ornamental grasses or seed heads standing to provide food and shelter for birds and pollinators. On rainy days, take time indoors to clean your tools, organize seeds, or repot a few houseplants.
A garden may look still this time of year, but it’s full of quiet activity and potential. With a bit of attention now, your outdoor space will be ready to burst back to life once the days begin to lengthen.
At Al’s, we’re here with local expertise, seasonal plants, and everything you need to keep your garden thriving through every season—for your garden, for your home, for your success.
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