10 Gardening Activities for November in Southern California

1. Cut Back Cane Berries

By this month, cane berries are finished producing. Cut back old canes of blackberries, boysenberries, loganberries, and some raspberries to the ground. Don’t cut newly sprouted canes that didn’t bear fruit; these will produce for next year’s crop.

2. Harvest Mandarins & Other Citrus as They Ripen

There are a number of varieties of tangerines and other citrus that you can harvest this month. If you have lemon or lime trees, you can likely harvest all year long. Certain varieties of tangerines and oranges ripen this month and continue through winter and early spring. Satsuma mandarins, clementines, pineapple sweet oranges, and navel oranges are examples of varieties that will likely be ripe enough to pick this month. Use your taste buds as your guide, though, because harvest dates can vary by up to a month depending on climate (locations that are on the coast, inland, or in foothills will ripen at different times). Try a few fruits to see if they are ripe. If any fruit doesn’t look quite ready, check it again in a week or so.

3. Give Your Citrus a Little Attention

You only need to fertilize potted citrus this month. Citrus trees planted in the ground won’t need fertilizer until early next year. Generally, you want to only apply fertilizer to citrus in spring and summer, early fall at the latest. Be sure your irrigation is moderate during the cooler months of the year as plants enter a short dormancy period. Remove any fallen fruit below the trees. Rotting fruit can spread disease and attract pests.

4. Leave Your Dahlia Tubers Alone

Since Southern California has fairly mild winters, you can leave your dahlia tubers in the ground. It’s a good idea to cut back dead, dry foliage of dahlias to tidy up your garden beds. While they’re dormant, don’t fertilize and back off on watering. Some water is fine if tubers are planted among other plants in a garden bed—the goal is to avoid overwatering which can rot the tubers. Learn more about planting, growing, can caring for dahlias.

5. Get Your Seed & Plant Catalogs

Gardening never really needs to stop in Southern California but it’s often nice to take a break around the holidays. When you’re indoors and looking for reading material, consider seed and plant catalogs. Mail-order suppliers send out free catalogs that are packed with botanical advice, planting ideas, plant descriptions, and so much more. Be sure you’re getting the latest plant catalogs from companies such as, Burpee, Johnny's Selected Seeds, Plant Delights Nursery, and the Proven Winners' Garden Idea Book.

6. Add More Perennials to Your Garden

Fall months are the best months for planting—especially in Southern California. Plant now and plants will establish over the winter for a bountiful spring bloom. If you’re shopping online or in a garden center, don’t worry if plants don’t have blooms this time of year. Many perennials are not in their flowering season. Just make sure the plant’s foliage looks healthy and that its roots aren’t bound (wrapped around the edge of the container). Also, be sure to amend the soil surrounding the planting location. When adding soil amendment, don’t just put it directly in the hole because roots will stay confined to where soil is nutritious— add nutrients beyond the newly dug planting hole. Read more about planting and growing perennials.

7. Get Out to a Botanic Garden

Visiting botanic gardens in the fall can be quite a treat. The weather has cooled, and many are in great shape, having recovered from summer heat. Visit gardens such as:

• Virginia Robinson Gardens (by appointment only)
• The Huntington
• Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
• The Getty
• The Getty Villa
• San Diego Botanic Garden

8. Let Roses Form Rose Hips

After roses finish blooming in the fall, many form seed heads called rose hips. These add striking visuals to the garden—they are typically an orange to bright red color. If your roses are grown completely organically and without the use of any sprays, then you can harvest your rose hips and use them for jellies, syrups, soups, and teas.

9. Add Compost to Garden Beds

Some plants and trees may be looking dormant this time of year, but roots continue to grow underground. Fall is actually the ideal time for root growth because the weather is cooling but the soil is still warm. This means plants are less stressed. Make sure your soil is providing ample nutrients for your plants now and through the winter. Adding compost throughout garden beds will also give you a jump-start on spring planting—garden beds will be prepared and ready for new additions. Learn how to make your own compost.

10. Plant Wildflowers

Plant wildflowers in the fall if you want colorful spring blooms. Be sure to prepare garden beds before planting by removing weeds and adding compost. Watch these videos from American Meadows on preparing areas for wildflower seeds. When you’re ready to plant, order wildflower seed mixes that are designed for your climate such as the Coastal California Wildflower Mix or the California Central Valley Wildflower Seed Mix.