Berkeley Gardening: What To Do In Your Yard In November

BERKELEY, CA — Did you finish everything in the garden that you had planned for October? It's one of the busiest gardening months in Berkeley, according to the Alameda County Master Gardener Program.

If your vegetable garden and flower beds are looking a bit ignored, fear not — the first item on the to-do list for November is to keep plugging away at the October list!

Here's your Berkeley gardening cheat cheat for November:

November

• All of the October tasks can be done in November (see below). 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.

October

• The summer harvest continues but the end is in sight. As you harvest, clean up all debris; it hides bugs and diseases.
• Continue to care for cool-season vegetables and flowers planted in September.
• Cole crops, lettuce, green onions, potatoes, peas, etc. can still be planted but will probably not fruit until the spring.
• Ditto for cool-season annuals unless already blooming (try 4-inch pots).
• Spring bulbs (daffodils, hyacinths, grape hyacinths, etc.) can be planted this month and next. Tulips must first be chilled before planting.
• Plant garlic and shallots after October 15 to harvest next summer.
• Plant cover crops (also called green manure or compost crops) such as fava beans
• As you pull up old crops and rake up leaves, compost, compost, compost. You’ll need the finished compost in the spring.
• Fall is a great planting time for perennials and California Natives in our climate. Cut back and divide leggy perennials or plant new ones. Plant shrubs and trees.
• As plants slow down, stop fertilizing. Water as necessary and consider turning off irrigation systems.