November in the Contra Costa Garden

November Garden To Dos

Prepare for cold weather—drain irrigation lines, prepare frames for cold sensitive plants, irrigate plants if cold temperatures are anticipated and it has not rained recently.
Mow lawns, add a thin layer of compost if needed. Consider replacing lawns with less resource intensive (and labor intensive) plants.
Rake leaves and shed as mulch or compost.
Cover the compost pile(s) to keep them warmer and to minimize leaching.
Remove winter weeds while small.
Trap or bait for snails and slugs. http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7427.html.
Check your garden for empty pots, etc., that can hold water and provide a habitat for mosquitoes.

Clean up summer vegetable garden. Remove all spent plant material and chop into bits for your compost pile.
Plant cover crops (Legumes or Brassicas) to improve the soil for spring crops.
Harvest Feijoa sellowiana, persimmons, walnuts. Prune as needed after harvesting.
Spray peaches and nectarines for peach leaf curl at the end of the month. http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7426.html and http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7481.html

USDA zones range from 8-9B

Sunset zones range from 7-17

Average max. temp. 63°F, 17.2°C

Average min. temp. 41.5°F, 5.3°C

Average rainfall 3.14”, 7.96 cm.

Samhain (November 1) is the cross quarter day, halfway between the fall solstice and winter equinox.