What to do in the garden this November

Insects to look out for, essential garden tasks and why it's important to plant flowers.

young boy holds up two home grown wonky cucumbers

Anne Gibson provides month garden tasks to Council's Living Smart program, sharing what to grow for our climate plus top tips and garden tasks.  

For the full list, head to Living Smart , your one stop shop, supporting you on your sustainability journey. 

Essential garden tasks for November

young boy holding wonky cucumbers in a love heart

Watering is so important right now. Lack of water (as well as lack of live pollen) can cause misshapen fruit or a less than bumper crop.

  • pay attention to watering if you haven’t had adequate rain
  • watch the forecast for upcoming rain
  • soaker hoses, drip irrigation and hand watering early morning can be useful ways to irrigate and keep the moisture up to plants during a high growth period
  • save water where you can
  • if you haven’t already mulched your garden, this is vital to attend to. 
Citrus leaf miners on a lime tree

Pests

  1. be observant and check for early signs of damage so you can act as needed  
  2. learn to control garden pest insects naturally
  3. water the soil and improve air flow
  4. be vigilant with QLD fruit fly and plan your defence.
sunflower

Flowers

  1. flowers provide nectar and pollen for predatory insects like ladybirds, hoverflies and parasitic wasps as well as all the pollinators
  2. attract pollinators to your garden by allowing herbs/veggies to flower or by sowing flowers
  3. otherwise, be prepared to hand pollinate or have a poor harvest.
  4. maintain consistent moisture to fruiting crops and fruit trees 
  5. keep soil and plants well mulched.

What to Plant Now

Find out which root crops, fruit and veg, flowers and heat tolerant varieties to plant now at Living Smart Queensland

banana sucker and main plant

Garden Tasks

  • sow warm-season seedlings for Christmas and summer salads. Sow seeds as 
  • microgreens for quick picks
  • check fruit fly traps. Re-bait as necessary. Install bee and bird baths for hot weather
  • fertilise fruit trees and fruiting crops during the growing season. Water and mulch well
  • make compost and apply 
  • mulch to all pots and plants
  • de-sucker bananas, feed and water. If harvesting, wear old clothes as the sap stains! 
 
 

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