Berkeley Gardening: November Checklist

BERKELEY, CA — The abundant harvest of the summer garden is behind us, but now is the perfect time to take care of tasks that were pushed aside in your Berkeley garden during the busy summer season.

The UC Master Gardener Program of Alameda County has a checklist of tasks to complete during November for beautiful flowers, delicious fruits and berries, and an bumper crop of vegetables next year.

• All of the October tasks can be done in November. Generally, it is better to plant earlier rather than later. It is best for plants to establish a good root system before the weather turns cold and wet.
• Continue to add plant residues and weeds to your compost. Turn your compost pile to keep it aerated. Cover the pile before heavy rains - you want it to be as wet as a wrung-out sponge.
• As plants slow down, stop fertilizing. Water if necessary.
• Spray dormant, deciduous fruit trees, roses, and berry bushes with a dormant oil spray.

Read more about gardening here in Berkeley at UC Master Gardener Program of Alameda County.