As we move into the late stages of autumn, your garden starts to experience significant changes. Daylight is in short supply, and the sun hangs low in the sky, casting a beautiful, subdued light over your outdoor space. It’s a time to welcome the last bright days of the year as the remaining autumn leaves fall and reveal new vistas and more sky. November, typically, is the beginning of our winter rain season – often the wettest month of the year.

In colder regions, your garden will be settling into full dormancy, while in warmer zones, it might stay active for a few more weeks. For our friends in the regions west of the Cascades, there’s still a little bit of gardening left to do: a final round of leaf clearing, planting those last few bulbs, or giving the lawn one last trim. However, garden activity generally slows down or shifts to rest mode, preparing for the winter weather conditions.

What’s unique about this season is the return of rain and snow. It’s an excellent opportunity to observe how your garden interacts with winter precipitation. Does the water stand in temporary pools, or does it soak in well? Maybe it runs off? It’s important to take note, as the moisture absorbed by the soil over winter is crucial for your trees and garden plants during the next growing season. Protecting your garden’s soil from erosion and compaction due to rain impact is key. A simple cover of coarse mulch, shredded leaves, straw, or even burlap will boost water infiltration while mixed plantings of evergreen and deciduous trees, shrubs, and groundcover plants help intercept and capture a good amount of precipitation.

Managing runoff in winter and conserving water in summer are significant concerns for many regions. Many municipalities and water districts offer programs promoting rain gardens and swales designed to slow, capture, and filter rainwater runoff, which you might find useful.

Remember – soggy soil can easily be damaged from cultivation or heavy foot traffic. Let the ground rest for now. November is a time to take a step back and appreciate the return of good rain. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the transformation of your garden this November.

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