There are pockets of colour in a November garden: the trees still carry their autumn and winter berries, and there are late flowers in bloom in the border - the last roses, the pink nerines and the Michaelmas daisies. But November is the month when autumn gives way to the onset of winter and the garden becomes a less inviting place than earlier in the year.
There are always things to be done but the pace slows down and most jobs will wait a week or two - or even a month or more - if the weather is bad.
It is a month to make the most of your greenhouse and house plants, although, on fine days, visiting other gardens or arboretums can still provide many hours of pleasure, education and inspiration.
The timing of the most spectacular autumn tints varies from year to year, and depends on the weather, but early November is often the best month, when the hedges and woods are gloriously colourful. Berries on trees and shrubs have not yet had time to lose their sparkle and, with a few exceptions, have not yet been eaten by the birds.
Jobs that won't wait
Cover vulnerable plants growing outdoors with cloches or horticultural fleece if severe frost is forecast. Protect newly planted and susceptible trees and shrubs over the winter with windbreaks or by wrapping plants in hessian or horticultural fleece.
- Clear out and take under cover decorative containers that are not frost-hardy. Protect pots containing plants of borderline hardiness with insulation and by grouping them together in a sheltered spot.
- Check the pots and bowls of bulbs are being forced for Christmas and new Year flowering. Ensure they do not dry out or become waterlogged. Move them into a light but cool position indoors when the leaves reach about 2.5 cm (1 in) in height.
- Plant any remaining tulip and hyacinth bulbs in the garden without delay.
- Plant roses if conditions permit or heel in if the weather is very frosty. Prune climbers and ramblers and cut back hybrid tea roses and floribundas to reduce damage from windrock.
- Cut the lawn for the last time this year and clean and store the lawnmower.
- Prune wisteria to ensure and increase flowering next year.
- Prepare for autumn and winter gales by removing dead or decaying branches on established trees and checking that recently planted trees are well staked and ties are secure. Also check fences, trellis and other structures supporting plants to make sure they will stand up to high winds.
- Clear fallen leaves and other debris so slugs, snails and other pests have nowhere to overwinter. Use fallen leaves to make leafmould.
- Deal with any pests or diseases left exposed when plants lose their leaves.
- Harvest vegetables including the first Brussels sprouts, kale, cabbages, endives, spinach, turnips, swedes and Jerusalem artichokes.
- Consider installing a pond heater to keep a small area of water ice free if you keep fish.
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