MONTH OF NOVEMBER
- Although we are by now thinking of Christmas, the main job in the garden is to protect delicate plants and structures for the winter months.
- There is still time to plant Spring bulbs: Tulips, Daffodils, Snow Drops, Crocus.
- Sow Sweet Peas in a cool greenhouse or cold frame for an early display next year.
- Plant your Perennials such as delphinium, Verbascum, foxglove and lupin from seed in the greenhouse.
- You can grow Helleborus or Christmas Rose as it is more commonly known now.
- Plant up pots with ivy, primula, pansy, viola, gaultheria, heather, and grasses for an overwinter display.
- Plant winter/Spring bedding now, such as pansy, myosotis (fore-get-me-nots) Bellis Daisy, viola.
- Plant up hyacinths to have in doors for a beautiful fragrance.
- Hardy Broad Bean ‘Aquadulce Claudia can now be outdoors, sow now for a nice early crop in February/March.
- It is good to plant Rhubarb now and divide any crowns that you already have in the garden.
- Place gravel mulch around alpines to keep the foliage clear of damp soil, which can cause rotting.
- Collect and throw away any fallen rose leaves affected with black spots, to make sure the disease does not carry over to the next year.
- Remember to cover winter beans, peas, and salads, but leave a gap for good ventilation which is vital.
- Time to plant bare root-fruit trees, bushes, and canes, making sure the ground is not too wet.
- Tidy-up strawberry beds by cutting back old foliage and congested runners, moving all weeds.
- Take hardwood cuttings of health blueberries, currants, and gooseberries.
- Insulate greenhouse walls and roof with bubble polythene.
- Bring all herbs indoors to continue cropping into winter.
- Make sure to feed indoor houseplants with liquid fertiliser once a week throughout autumn.
- Houseplants can be prone to collecting dust, so regularly wipe them to help them breath and check them for pests like aphids, mealybugs, scale insects, and thrips.
- Check and clean / fill bird feeders regularly to protect the birds.
