- Sow hardy late spinach to overwinter; it will continue growing in the spring
- Using a cold frame or low tunnel, plant other cool weather crops (e.g., leafy greens, carrots, radishes, herbs)
- Thin any emerging seedlings from last month’s planting; lightly mulch or cover with a floating row cover
- Later in the month, plant garlic, onions, and shallots; cover with straw
- Clean up vegetable garden by pulling up all spent, annual plants; prepare to overwinter
- Collect seeds from spent plant flowering heads and store in dry location
- Sow winter rye and wheat cover crops in any unplanted annual beds; cover crops help build up the soil and can be tilled into the soil as green manure next year
- Make sure to harvest sweet potatoes before first freeze; don’t toss the greens – these are edible and can be used in a stir-fry
- Prune berry bushes; mulch around the base
- Cover strawberry beds with a thick layer of leaves, straw, or pine needles
- Transplant or add fruiting trees and shrubs to your garden, as temperatures cool and soils remain moist
- Avoid heavy pruning of perennial trees and shrubs to avoid encouraging growth that could get damaged during the winter
- Prepare to overwinter hardier perennial plants and herbs; top-dress with layer of compost and protect by keeping out of windy, open areas