Outdoor living in November: what your garden needs now

We’re living in the month when the Spanish sun briefly steps back — not out of disinterest, but out of courtesy. Summer has done its work, the soil is allowed to breathe, and even the olive tree seems to sigh with relief. November is a time for rest, in the garden too.

The art of doing nothing (advanced level)

Many expats think a garden should always be doing something: blooming, growing, shining. But in Spain, nature follows its own timetable. In November, that means: doing very little. A bit of pruning, a bit of tidying — but mostly leaving things alone.

The earth likes silence, especially now that it’s gathering moisture again after months of drought.

Pruning with restraint

Anyone who thinks pruning is a heroic act is mistaken. In this season it’s closer to meditation than labour. Olives, lavender, vines — all of them prefer a light touch. Cut away what’s dead, leave what’s alive. The rest will sort itself out. And if you’re unsure: wait. Spanish nature isn’t in a hurry, and neither do you need to be.

Composting as a life lesson

Composting is the Spanish version of mindfulness. Everything that was once alive gets a second chance. Leaves, small branches, vegetable scraps — slowly, they turn back into nourishment. There’s something comforting in watching clutter become useful again. Maybe that applies to people too.

Soil, breath and balance

You don’t need green fingers to understand the cycle: rest, growth, bloom, return. The garden lives by breathing. Those who learn to follow that rhythm discover that gardening in Spain is mostly an exercise in letting go.

Even the olive tree knows when it’s time to do nothing for a while.