It’s November, the last month of spring, and with the weather warming up we see plenty of sunny days and lots of new green growth emerging in our gardens.
In Melbourne, the changeable and windy weather from October continues, while in Perth and Adelaide the rain decreases to around half a dozen days.
Right throughout Australia this month there’s the possibility of very sudden hot weather striking without warning, so it’s important to protect plants from sun and wind. Very high temperatures can occur almost anytime, increasing the risk of bushfires.
Newly planted trees and shrubs need to be watered regularly as the hot weather and strong winds can quickly dry out the soil.
Things to Do This Month:
- Mulch around fruit trees and plants to retain soil moisture and prevent water loss from evaporation (keep mulch away from stems and trunks as this can cause stem rot/collar rot).
- Mulch strawberries by placing straw underneath to keep the berries off the soil.
- Propagate strawberries from runners.
- Plant potted fruit trees and vines (having roots, they can be planted anytime, best planted in spring & autumn).
- Tie growing vines back to supports or wires.
- Propagate plants by taking softwood (green) cuttings from now till January (after which they harden off).
- Last chance to plant evergreen shrubs and trees (this includes citrus trees).
- In ponds and water gardens, thin out existing aquatic plants, continue planting new ones, fertilise aquatic plants and feed fish regularly.
Vegetables and Herbs to Grow in October (Temperate Climate)
| November Seeds to Sow and Seedlings to Plant (Temperate Climate Australia) | Sow/Plant | Harvest (weeks) |
| Amaranth | dst | 7-8 |
| Angelica | dst | 18 months |
| Asparagus | plant crowns | 2-3 years |
| Asparagus Pea | d | 8-11 |
| Basil | st | 10-12 |
| Beans (Climbing) | dst | 9-11 |
| Beans (Dwarf, Bush) | dst | 7-10 |
| Beetroot | dst | 7-10 |
| Borage | dst | 8-10 |
| Broccoli | st | 10-16 |
| Burdock | d | 17-18 |
| Cabbage | st | 8-15 |
| Cape Gooseberry | dst | 14-16 |
| Capsicum | st | 10-12 |
| Carrot | d | 12-18 |
| Cauliflower | st | 15-22 |
| Celeriac | st | 14-28 |
| Celery | st | 17-18 |
| Chilli | st | 9-11 |
| Chives | dst | 7-11 |
| Collard Greens | dst | 8-11 |
| Coriander (Cilantro) | dst | 30-45 |
| Cowpeas (Black Eye Peas) | d | 11-14 |
| Cucumber | dst | 8-10 |
| Dill | dst | 8-12 |
| Eggplant | t | 12-15 |
| Endive | dst | 10-11 |
| Fennel (Bronze) | dst | 14-15 |
| Fennel (Florence) | dst | 14-20 |
| French Tarragon | t | 30-40 days |
| Globe Artichokes | dst | 42-57 |
| Horseradish | plant crowns | 16-24 |
| Jerusalem Artichokes | plant tubers | 15-20 |
| Kale | dst | 7-9 |
| Kohlrabi | dst | 7-10 |
| Leeks | dst | 15-18 |
| Lemon Balm | dst | 8-10 |
| Lettuce | dst | 8-12 |
| Luffa | dst | 11-12 |
| Marrow | st | 12-17 |
| Mint | dst | 8-12 |
| NZ Spinach (Warrigal Greens) | dst | 8-10 |
| Okra | dst | 11-14 |
| Oregano | st | 6-8 |
| Parsley | dst | 9-19 |
| Parsnip | d | 17-20 |
| Potato | plant seed potatoes | 15-20 |
| Pumpkin | dst | 15-20 |
| Radish | d | 5-7 |
| Rocket | d | 21-35 days |
| Rockmelon (Cantaloupe) | dt | 10-16 |
| Rosemary | d | 12 months |
| Sage | dt | 18 months |
| Salsify | d | 14-21 |
| Silverbeet (Swiss Chard) | dst | 7-12 |
| Spring Onions (Bunching Onions) | st | 6-10 |
| Squash | dst | 7-8 |
| Summer Savory | t | 6-10 |
| Sunflower | dt | 10-11 |
| Sweet Corn | dst | 11-14 |
| Sweet Potato (Kumara) | plant crowns | 15-17 |
| Taro (Cocoyam) | plant tubers | 28 |
| Thyme | t | 42-52 |
| Tomatillo | dst | 10-14 |
| Tomato | dst | 8-17 |
| Turnip | d | 6-9 |
| Watermelon | dst | 9-14 |
| Winter Savory | t | 6-10 |
| Yacon | plant tubers | 25 |
| Yam/Oka | plant tubers | 15-20 |
| Zucchini (Courgette, Marrow) | dst | 6-9 |
Key:
d = sow seeds directly into ground
s = sow seeds into seed tray
ds = sow seeds directly into ground or seed tray
t = transplant seedlings (small plants) into larger pots or plant into ground
*= frost tender
**= sow after frost
Download printable PDF version of Gardening Calendar (Australian Temperate Climate) – November
To help improve these garden calendars, feedback and additional information from readers is greatly appreciated! Australia’s climate varies considerably, and local knowledge of when particular things need to be done in the garden are most helpful to others living in those area, so please feel free to share.