Timely Tips

What to Do in November 2026
Weekly Gardening Timely Tips from
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County

Nov. 1 – 7

Perennials: When you walk the garden in late fall, do you see structural plants that provide interest in winter? In addition to black-eyed Susan, coneflower, other daisy family plants and sedum, consider natives such as cinnamon and ostrich ferns, false lupine (Thermopsis), Joe Pye weed, wild blue indigo (Baptisia), and even a few shrubs such as winterberry holly.

Flowers: Remove annuals as they die back. Continue to plant spring-flowering bulbs. Remember that deer adore tulips, so if they graze in this garden, plant less attractive bulbs such as daffodils instead.

Fruits and Vegetables: Harvest cabbage family veggies such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, collards, kale and radishes after the first frosts. Frost improves the taste. Very hardy varieties in this family of vegetables may overwinter in warmer areas of Westchester Co. with protection. These biennials can provide an early harvest before they produce seed. Remove any tree fruit remaining on branches that is past its prime or has fallen to the ground.

Trees and Shrubs: As you are clearing the first fallen leaves, take some time to enjoy the ecosystem services trees provide and the beautiful fall colors!

Lawns: Continue to keep up with fallen leaves. If you have a mulching mower, mow so the leaves disappear into the canopy of the turf before can accumulate heavily or get wet and mat down. If there are too many leaves or you don’t have a mulching mower, rake and remove leaves from the lawn so they don’t smother the grass and add them to a compost pile.

Houseplants: Move houseplants away from heaters, floor registers, drafty windows and doors.

General: Disconnect, drain and store water hoses, sprayers and spigots before freezing temperature set in. All it takes is one night below 32°F to crack and ruin your favorite watering wand. Keep gutters clean. Backed-up, overflowing gutters can damage the home and garden once winter arrives. Spotted lanternflies lay eggs on many vertical surfaces, woody plants and inanimate objects alike, often in a protected spot. Check downspouts, other outdoor items, trees, etc. for egg masses. If you live in, plan to travel, or have recently returned from a place where SLF is established, be sure to check your vehicle and any items kept outdoors for hitchhiking lanternflies or their eggs, and remove all before traveling (a flashlight and mirror may be helpful in hard to see spaces).

Last updated November 1, 2026