November Garden Checklist for Portland: Essential Tasks for Sustainable Pacific Northwest Gardens

November in Portland marks a distinctive shift in the gardening calendar. The rains have settled in, temperatures are dropping, and while many gardeners think the season is over, November is actually one of the most important months for setting your garden up for success. Whether you're tending a large backyard food forest in Southeast Portland or managing a container garden on a balcony in the Pearl District, these sustainable practices will help your garden thrive through winter and into spring.

Why November Matters for Portland Gardens

Our Pacific Northwest climate is unique. Unlike much of the country where gardens go dormant under snow, Portland's mild, wet winters create specific opportunities—and challenges. November is your window to protect what you've grown, improve your soil, and even get a head start on next year's harvest.

The key difference? We focus on working with our rainy season, not against it.

1. Soil Care: Building the Foundation

Cover Cropping for Winter Soil Protection

If you're committed to sustainable gardening, cover crops are your best friend. November is the last good window to get winter cover crops established before the ground gets too cold and wet.

Best cover crops for Portland's November planting:

• Crimson clover: Fixes nitrogen, attracts beneficial insects in spring, gorgeous blooms - they are SO beautiful!

• Field peas: Another nitrogen-fixer, breaks down quickly in spring

• Winter rye: Deep roots prevent erosion during heavy rains, builds organic matter

• Fava beans: Dual purpose—nitrogen fixation and edible crop in spring

How to plant: Scatter seeds densely over cleared beds, rake lightly to cover, and water in. Our November rains will do the rest of the work.

Mulching for Moisture Management

Portland's winter rain can compact bare soil and leach nutrients. A 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch protects soil structure and feeds beneficial microbes.

Sustainable mulch options:

• Fallen leaves (free! rake from your yard or neighbors')

• Arborist wood chips (often free from local tree services—check ChipDrop)

• Straw (avoid hay, which has weed seeds)

• Compost (use as top layer for extra nutrients)

Pro tip: Keep mulch a few inches away from plant stems to prevent rot in our wet climate.

Compost Application

November is ideal for spreading finished compost. Apply 1-2 inches over perennial beds and around fruit trees and shrubs. Winter rains will slowly integrate nutrients into the soil, and you'll see the benefits come spring.

2. Fall Planting Opportunities

Yes, you can still plant in November! In fact, some crops prefer fall planting in our climate.

Garlic (Don't Miss This Window!)

November is prime garlic planting time in Portland. Plant by mid-November for best results.

How to plant:

• Choose hardneck varieties (better for our climate than softneck)

• Plant cloves 4-6 inches apart, 2 inches deep, pointy end up

• Mulch heavily after planting

• Harvest next July

Local tip: Source seed garlic from Portland Nursery, Territorial Seed, or local farmers markets for varieties adapted to our region.

Overwintering Crops

These can go in now or were planted in October and need attention:

• Fava beans: Plant now for spring harvest (or use as cover crop)

• Overwintering lettuce: Plant in cold frames or hoop houses

• Mâche (corn salad): Incredibly cold-hardy, plant now for winter greens

• Multiplier onions: Plant sets now for green onions all winter

Spring Bulbs (Last Call!)

If you haven't planted spring bulbs yet, early November is your final window. Focus on:

• Pollinator-friendly bulbs: Crocus, species tulips, alliums

• Naturalizing varieties: Daffodils that will return year after year

• Native options: Camas bulbs (if you have space—they need specific conditions)

3. Protecting Perennials and Tender Plants

What Needs Protection in Portland

Our typical winter lows (30-35°F) aren't severe, but we do get occasional dips into the 20s. These plants need attention:

Marginally hardy perennials:

• Artichokes (cut back and mulch heavily)

• Lavender (avoid winter wet, ensure good drainage)

• Rosemary (protect from harsh wind and freezing rain)

• Mediterranean herbs (thyme, oregano, sage are usually fine; protect tender varieties)

How to protect:

• Mulch root zones heavily (6 inches for artichokes)

• Create temporary shelters with stakes and frost cloth during freeze warnings

• Move container plants under eaves or into unheated garages

Don't Cut Back Too Early

Here's where sustainable gardening differs from conventional advice: leave those perennial stems standing.

Why?

• Hollow stems provide overwintering habitat for beneficial insects

• Seed heads feed birds through winter

• Plant structure protects crown from excessive moisture

• Dead foliage insulates roots

Cut back in late February/early March, not now. Your garden will support more biodiversity.

4. Managing Fall Leaves Sustainably

Portland's deciduous trees drop a lot of leaves in November. Don't bag them—use them!

Leaf Composting

Option 1: Leaf mold Pile leaves in a corner, keep moist, wait 1-2 years. You'll get dark, crumbly leaf mold—perfect soil amendment.

Option 2: Hot compost Shred leaves (run over with mower), layer with nitrogen-rich materials (grass clippings, kitchen scraps), keep moist. Turn weekly. Finished compost in 2-3 months.

Leaves as Mulch

Whole or shredded leaves make excellent mulch for:

• Perennial beds

• Around fruit trees and shrubs

• Vegetable beds (will break down over winter)

Portland-specific note: Oak leaves are slightly acidic as they break down—perfect for acid-loving plants like blueberries and rhododendrons.

Supporting Wildlife

Leave some leaves! Create a leaf pile in a quiet corner for:

• Overwintering butterflies and moths

• Beneficial beetles and ground spiders

• Salamanders and other amphibians (Portland is Pacific salamander habitat!)

5. Pest and Disease Prevention

November is when you prevent next year's problems.

Clean Up Diseased Material

Remove and dispose of (not compost):

• Tomato plants (late blight spores overwinter)

• Powdery mildew-infected leaves

• Apple leaves (apple scab spores)

• Diseased brassica leaves (club root, black rot)

Sustainable disposal: City of Portland yard waste bins accept diseased plant material—it gets commercially composted at high enough temps to kill pathogens.

Trap Crops for Slugs

Plant winter lettuce or other greens as "trap crops" away from areas you want to protect. Check regularly and hand-remove slugs. In Portland's wet climate, this is more sustainable than baits.

Protect Against Voles and Rats

As the weather turns, rodents seek shelter. Protect:

• Stored root vegetables (secure storage areas)

• Compost bins (ensure they're animal-proof)

6. Tool Care and Season Prep

Clean and Sharpen Tools

November's a good time to clean, sharpen, and oil tools before storing them through the wettest months.

Sustainable tool care:

• Clean off soil and debris

• Sharpen pruners, hoes, shovels

• Oil wooden handles with linseed oil

• Repair rather than replace when possible

Prepare for Winter Harvests

If you're growing winter greens in cold frames or hoop houses:

• Check plastic for tears, repair with greenhouse tape

• Ensure proper ventilation on sunny days (even in winter)

• Have frost cloth ready for hard freeze nights

7. Water Management for Portland's Rainy Season

Redirect Downspouts

With 5+ inches of rain typical in November, now's the time to:

• Redirect roof runoff into grass, rain gardens or swales

• Check that water flows away from building foundations

• Ensure garden paths drain properly

Rainwater Harvesting

If you have rain barrels, they should be full by now. For overflow:

• Direct to garden areas that can handle saturation

• Consider adding additional barrels or upgrading to larger tanks

• Disconnect and store barrels if freezing temps are forecast (rare, but can happen)

8. Planning and Observing

November is for slowing down and paying attention.

Observe Microclimates

Notice which areas of your garden:

• Stay warmer (south-facing walls, protected corners)

• Drain poorly (low spots that puddle)

• Get hammered by wind (exposed areas)

Use these observations to plan next year's garden layout.

Seed and Tool Inventory

Before January seed catalogs arrive:

• Check what seeds you have left (most are viable 2-3 years)

• Note what you ran out of this year

• Assess which tools need replacing

Start a Garden Journal

If you don't have one yet, November is perfect for starting. Record:

• What worked this year

• What struggled

• First/last frost dates

• Harvest quantities

• Ideas for next season

November Quick Reference Checklist

Week 1-2 (Early November):

• ☐ Plant garlic

• ☐ Sow cover crops in empty beds

• ☐ Plant spring bulbs

• ☐ Apply compost to perennial beds

• ☐ Mulch tender perennials

Week 2-3 (Mid-November):

• ☐ Collect and process fallen leaves

• ☐ Remove diseased plant material

• ☐ Protect fruit tree trunks from rodents

• ☐ Check cold frame/hoop house condition

• ☐ Last window to plant perennials before frost

Week 3-4 (Late November):

• ☐ Final grass mowing (set mower high)

• ☐ Clean and store tools

• ☐ Drain garden hoses

• ☐ Check rain barrel overflow systems

• ☐ Take garden notes for next year

Portland-Specific Resources

Local Organizations:

• Portland Fruit Tree Project (fruit tree care advice)

• Portland Nursery (local expert staff, great workshops)

• Growing Gardens (community garden support)

• OSU Extension Service Metro (research-based gardening info)

Native Plant Sources:

• Bosky Dell Natives

• Sparrowhawk Native Plants

• Humble Roots (focuses on habitat restoration)

Soil Testing:

• OSU Extension soil testing service ($30-50, results in 2 weeks)

Final Thoughts: Working With Our Climate

November gardening in Portland isn't about battling the rain—it's about working with our unique climate to build healthy, resilient garden ecosystems. By focusing on soil health, supporting beneficial insects and wildlife, and using sustainable practices, you're not just maintaining a garden. You're stewarding a small piece of Portland's urban ecosystem.

The work you do this November—covering soil, planting garlic, mulching thoughtfully—sets the foundation for a thriving garden next spring. And in a city that values sustainability as much as Portland does, that matters.

Need help implementing these sustainable practices in your Portland garden? Vessel Kitchen Gardens specializes in regenerative and ecological garden consulting, coaching, and design in the Portland metro area. Let's talk about how we can support your garden's health through every season.

*We are also makers of hyper-sustainable botanical art and goods made from the plants we grow and forage - come find our wares at local holiday markets throughout the fall and winter season - info on our events page!