This month, enjoy the emergence of autumn tones, prune shrubs and start a second round of cold-weather greens.
by Addie Ladner
“To me, November can be just as beautiful as spring,” says horticulturist, landscape architect and artist Preston Montague. “You have the autumn foliage, but then things like asters are blooming and birds are visiting.” To make the most of this gorgeous, chilly month in Raleigh, here are his top tips for home gardeners.
Shine
Now is the time to assess your supplies. “Wash garden gloves, sharpen and shine tools, and clean and check on your pots for any cracks,” says Montague. Take stock of things like bird seed, potting soil and other supplies you might need to refill.
Snip
When trees and woody shrubs like azaleas go dormant, Montague says it’s time to give them a prune. “They might look lifeless above the ground, but pruning will encourage their roots underground to keep growing, especially now when the ground moisture is high,” he says. Just resist the urge to trim back every dead branch and dried bloom left over from the end of summer and early fall, says Montague: “Those patches of vegetation offer habitats for beneficial wildlife like honey bees and moths who love to burrow down in the hollows of dried stems.”
Savor
If you planted cool-season vegetables back in September, by now you should have some ready-to-harvest broccoli, cabbage and carrots — enjoy! After picking your fall bounty, Montague suggests starting a second round of cool-season greens like Swiss chard and kale: “They’re so easy and quick to grow this time of year, and they add a nice layer of color.”
This article originally appeared in the November 2024 issue of WALTER magazine.