November is unpredictable, both like everyone else and like no other: it can delight us with warm, sunny days, or suddenly turn into a snowy winter. Despite the changeable weather, gardening can and should be done in November. Sowing, tilling, transplanting, and cultivating—the workload is considerable. Let's take advantage of the last few fine days and use the Lunar Planting Calendar for November 2024 to help.
Favorable days

It's not always possible to combine warm days in November with the lunar calendar's recommendations, but don't be discouraged. The main thing is to avoid working on the most unfavorable days: the new moon and the full moon. During these periods, the moon is weak and won't provide the necessary energy for plant growth and development. To avoid confusion when remembering favorable days, consider the following:
- During the waxing moon, sap flow increases in the upper part of the plant. At this time, the "tops" (plants with fruit above ground, such as tomatoes, eggplants, cucumbers, etc.) are planted.
- During the waning moon, plant roots strengthen, and "rootlets" (things that bear fruit in the soil: beets, carrots, onions, etc.) are planted. On such days, don't forget to fertilize the soil; it will absorb more nutrients.
Favorable days for November 2020 are listed in the table. Even on these days, restrictions are in place, but what isn't prohibited is permitted.
| Date | Description |
| 18-19, 24 | Good days for any work in the garden and vegetable garden |
| 1-2 | Avoid working with roots |
| 3-4 | All work is successful, but it is better not to disturb the herbaceous plants |
| 5-6 | It is prohibited to use pesticides or work with bulbous, herbaceous and tuberous plants. |
| 14-15 | Do not transplant, do not separate bushes and tubers, pruning plants will add hassle and require additional processing |
| 16-17 | A favorable day for planting garlic, onions, and dill; plant care should be kept to a minimum. |
| 22-23 | Favorite days for vegetables, herbs, and greens; chemical treatment, pruning, and application of liquid fertilizers should be postponed |
| 27-29 | Only replanting, root division and loosening are prohibited. |
| 30 | Legumes, radishes, cabbage and ornamental plants will say “thank you” for sowing on this day, but herbs will not tolerate sowing and transplanting |

Not all crops thrive in winter dormancy in the ground. In November, you can plant:
- cucumbers;
- cabbage;
- eggplant;
- carrot;
- beets;
- zucchini;
- pumpkin;
- onion;
- garlic;
- pepper;
- sorrel;
- green.
Sowing should begin when nighttime temperatures drop below freezing and rise slightly above freezing during the day. Seeds resistant to bolting are best. Expired seeds can be used, as they have a better chance of germinating after a cold test. Seeds should be planted outdoors in pre-prepared beds, spaced 50-55 cm apart. If planting in pits, leave 15-20 cm between them. Avoid planting the entire garden before winter, as these produce will not store well.
Seeds are planted more frequently, but not deeper than in the spring (approximately 1-1.5 cm), as there is a risk that they will be drawn deeper by meltwater. The beds should be covered with compost, humus, or fallen leaves to prevent the top layer from becoming crusty and facilitate germination. (Film should only be applied to the beds and holes in the spring—the resulting greenhouse effect accelerates germination.) Vegetables and herbs planted in late autumn make full use of the meltwater to develop strong roots and quickly begin to grow in the spring. While the spring-sown plants are just beginning to sprout, their winter-sown counterparts have already gained strength and are ready to grow.
Working with trees

Planting and replanting trees requires following several rules. Planting should only be done during the waxing moon. The waning moon has a beneficial effect on the tree's root system, so it's recommended to perform formative pruning. Avoid pruning during the full moon. During the new moon, it's recommended to thin the tree's crown and remove damaged and old branches. In winter, trees in the garden can be damaged by rodents. To prevent this, protect the trunks by coating them with a strong-smelling mixture, such as:
- clay;
- mullein;
- creolin with water.
Additionally, you can scatter peat or sawdust soaked in a mixture of creolin and water (1 kg per 10 liters) around the tree. Autumn pruning will also be beneficial. You can also treat the tree for lichen and moss—if these appear, the tree needs attention. This isn't difficult; simply prepare a solution of slaked lime and water, add sifted wood ash, and let it sit for several days. Applying this mixture to the bark will help remove lichen—over time, they will turn red and fall off.
What to do with flowers and when
By November, gardeners don't have much to do. But they still have some. You never know what surprises the coming winter will bring, so it's worth taking care of perennials, which are terribly frost-sensitive. It's important to insulate them when a light frost sets in, otherwise they may be susceptible to rot. For covering, use:
- branches;
- straw;
- frame structures, etc.
Don't forget to periodically inspect and air out the rhizomes of plants once they've been stored in a warm place. If the soil has dried out, moisten it. It's important to spot signs of disease early to prevent their spread. It's not too late to sow flowers in the fall in November. For example, delphiniums, phlox, poppies, and sweet peas can survive the winter outdoors. Gladioli planted in early November grow stronger than spring-planted ones and bloom earlier. It's important to cover the plants with snow promptly to prevent freezing.
Working with houseplants
The growth and development of houseplants also depend on the lunar cycle. The waxing moon has a beneficial effect on the root system. Repotting plants during these periods is both possible and advisable. It's important to increase watering and fertilizing. Propagation by cuttings during the waxing moon will be successful:
Read also
- Full Moon. Avoid planting or replanting houseplants during the full moon—they will take a long time to germinate. It's best to focus on weed control. Pruning branches and leaves of houseplants, as well as grafting, is strictly prohibited during the full moon.
- New Moon. On the day of the New Moon, it's best to observe complete silence and inactivity. No planting, transplanting, grafting, or cultivating is allowed!
- Waning Moon. Bulbous plants planted during the waning moon germinate better and develop excellent color. However, replanting during this period is prohibited: there is a risk of damaging the roots, causing the plant to become ill and possibly dying.
The sowing calendar will indicate the exact planting days in November for indoor plants.
| Type of work | Date |
| Planting climbing flowers |
1-3, 7-11, 14-17, 20-26, 30
|
| Propagation by cuttings |
2, 6, 7, 12, 22, 24, 28, 29
|
| Transfer | 2, 3, 7-11, 14-17, 20, 21, 25, 26, 30 |
| Weeding, loosening | 3, 4, 7-11, 16, 17, 20, 21, 25, 26, 30 |
| Watering, spraying | 1-3, 7-11, 14-17, 20-26, 30 |
| Mineral fertilizer | 1-4, 7-13, 14-17, 20, 21, 25, 26, 20 |
| Organic fertilizer | 16-29 |
The ban on gardening in November may be affected by:
- characteristics of the variety;
- seedling development rate;
- climate of the territory;
- sources of diseases;
- phases of the moon.
Working with seedlings during this period carries the risk of losing a future harvest, as a significant portion of the nutrients will be directed to the foliage rather than the fruit. If rescheduling is absolutely necessary, it should be significantly limited. Neutral days in November 2020: November 10-13.
What to do in November
Even though autumn is almost over, there's still plenty of work to do in the garden. Winter preparations are still in full swing. Snow and frost can suddenly arrive, so work needs to be completed as soon as possible. Don't forget about seeds. Proper collection and storage completely affect the quality of the future harvest. Preparing paper bags doesn't take much time; they will ensure the seeds receive the necessary air and light. Store the bags at room temperature and moderate humidity.
Read also
Before the frost sets in, prepare the soil for spring seedling cultivation. You can collect the soil in buckets, trays, or bags and leave it to overwinter in a cool place, such as a summer house or garage. Severe frosts will disinfect the soil. It's best not to take soil from garden beds, as it's not as rich in essential nutrients. However, if there's no other option, mix soil, sand, and humus in a 1:1:2 ratio. Add 150-200 g of wood ash to each bucket of the mixture. This will make the soil more nutritious. Watering the trees before winter will also have a positive effect on next year's harvest.
- This should be done when the ground is still warm. At low temperatures, trees and shrubs suffer from drying out.
- To prevent this, the soil should be moistened to a depth of 60-80 cm - this creates a significant supply of moisture in the soil for the entire coming winter, increasing winter hardiness.
- After watering, be sure to cover the soil with a thin layer of leaves or humus - this will retain moisture and help accumulate more nutrients in the soil.

Dry and rotten fruit in the garden should be collected and destroyed; they shouldn't be left out over the winter. Failure to do so will increase the pest infestation year after year. Digging the soil around tree trunks will improve water and air permeability to the plant roots. When digging, you can also add organic fertilizer along with nitrogen fertilizer. Plants will grow and thrive better in such soil next year. It's best to open greenhouses for the winter—this will allow the soil to absorb sufficient moisture and improve its health.
Garden tools, shovels, rakes, pitchforks, and other equipment should be cleared of soil and stored in a dry place until next season. Plastic parts should be stored in a warm place to prevent cracking. With proper care, your tools will last a long time and will not dry out or rust.
Signs
November is unpredictable, and according to folk omens, November 1st is already considered the last day of autumn and the beginning of winter. However, this is still the month when harvests are still being harvested, the soil is being prepared for winter, and even new greenery is being planted. These omens help determine the weather forecast and the health of the future harvest:

- November 1st is Midsummer's Day. On this day, people bid farewell to autumn and welcome in winter.
- November 2nd – Artemy Sadok. Repairing a fence on this day is a must. After all, "The better and stronger the fence, the more fruitful the following year will be."
- November 3 – Hilarion the Great, Poroshenko. If snow falls on damp ground on this day and doesn't melt, snowdrops will bloom early in the spring. If snow falls on frozen ground, it means a good grain harvest next year.
- November 4th – Kazanskaya. On this day, it is customary to ventilate the basement and fumigate it with juniper – this prevents mold and ensures long-lasting storage and availability.
- November 5 – Yakov Nuzhnik. The weather on this day foreshadowed the coming winter: if light snow falls, winter will set in on Matryona (November 22). To ensure a good harvest next year, birds are fed in the garden.
- November 7th – Grandfather's Lament. It is believed that on this day, the Earth weeps with rain or snow. Therefore, one should feel sorry for the unfortunate and remember deceased relatives.
- November 8th is St. Demetrius' Day, a day of remembrance for fallen soldiers. If there is no snow on this day, Easter will be warm.
A gardener's lunar calendar will help you determine favorable days for gardening. But as winter approaches, it's best to rely not only on the moon but also on weather conditions. In the Moscow region, the weather isn't as changeable as, say, in Siberia. Still, there's no need to wait until the last minute. Snow cover can settle any day, leaving your gardening work at risk. To avoid this, rely primarily on your own experience and the weather forecast. And everything will definitely work out!



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