November Gardening in Alabama
November is cleanup and transition season.
The active garden slows, but there is still useful work to do.
This Month’s Priorities
Focus on:
- Garden cleanup
- Garlic
- Orchard work
- Mulching
- Winter protection
- Tool maintenance
Clean Up Summer Beds
Remove:
- Dead tomatoes
- Old squash vines
- Diseased foliage
- Dead annuals
Healthy material can be composted.
Diseased material may need disposal.
Continue Garlic Planting
In many areas, garlic can still be planted.
Protect Winter Crops
Use:
- Row cover
- Frost cloth
- Low tunnels
for:
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Greens
when hard freezes threaten.
Orchard Work
Inspect fruit trees for:
- Deer damage
- Loose guards
- Broken branches
- Mulch problems
Avoid piling mulch against trunks.
Plant Trees When Appropriate
Late fall can be a good planting time for dormant trees and shrubs in many Southern areas, provided soil is workable and species is appropriate.
Mulch Empty Beds
Protect bare soil with:
- Leaves
- Straw
- Cover crops
GardenGrowz Tip
November cleanup prevents some of next year’s pest and disease problems before they start.