Mulching: If your system is like mine and you’re struggling for biomass than it’s a great time to apply a fresh layer of mulch around your trees and plants. Mulch helps retain moisture, suppresses weeds, and encourages healthy soil microbes. Logs cut in half-longways and sticks are a great option. Organise your mulch from largest material on the bottom, finishing with the smallest material on top. I managed to get some cheap hay (last year's) so have used that as it’s quick and easy for me while I’m so busy.
Weeding: Bit of a dirty word but incase this is needed, remove any weeds by cutting them at the base that are competing with your plants for nutrients. In a food forest, many of these "weeds" can be beneficial, so take care to avoid pulling anything that’s useful or edible, like certain ground covers or nitrogen-fixers. Most weeds I just chop n drop.
Watering: As the temperature rises, ensure that your plants are getting sufficient water. Water early in the day to avoid evaporation and fungal issues. It's also better to water less often but give it a really good soaking when you do.
System reset: If you haven’t yet done your spring system reset then it may be a good time to get this done as we move out of winter senescence. November is a time of growth, so take time to observe the interactions between different species in your system. Look at how the layers (canopy, understory, herbaceous plants, and ground cover) are functioning together. When pruning it’s important to not only think about individual plants but as the system as a whole.
Planting: If you're adding new trees or shrubs, November is a good time as it gives them a full growing season to establish roots.
Companion Plants: For those with younger systems, you may want to consider planting companions that can help with pest control, soil enrichment, or ground cover. Beans, peas, and other legumes can fix nitrogen in the soil, while plants like marigolds or nasturtiums can deter pests. A healthy system shouldn’t have pest and disease pressure, but if things aren’t quite where they should be then this is an easy support system for your young plants.
Cover Crops: If certain areas of your food forest are not yet planted, you could sow cover crops like clover, vetch, or mustard. These crops help improve soil health, prevent erosion, and attract beneficial insects.
Liquid Fertilizers: If any plants are showing signs of nutrient deficiencies (like yellowing leaves or stunted growth), you can apply a diluted liquid fertilizer, like vermicast, seaweed or a fish emulsion, to give them a quick boost. Avoid over-fertilizing, as syntropic systems thrive on a more natural, minimal intervention approach. My system is very yellow (most likely nitrogen deficient) so I have added an all-in-one fertilizer mix from Sea Cliff Organics to give it a bit of support as we come into spring. I will be investing in soil tests next year so I can get a more accurate measure of where my soil is at and what it actually needs.
Inoculating Soil: You might want to introduce beneficial microbes and fungi, like mycorrhizal inoculants, to ensure strong, healthy root systems. This is especially useful if you’re seeing signs that your soil could use a little help. You can use products like EM1 or take a small amount of soil from a healthy forest ecosystem and introduce it into your food forest if you want to do this.
Plan for Summer Growth: As you move into December and summer, consider what plants will need more attention in the hotter months. Start thinking ahead about how you can support your forest during the driest periods, with strategies like additional mulch or shade.
Hopefully that helps you get started on your November food forest ‘to do’ list. If you have any questions, just let me know. Remember that we also have generations of forestry information stored within our cells that can be tapped into at any time if we can create the space within our busy minds to listen to this wisdom.
Now go grow!