Jobs in the Garden this November

Jobs in the Garden this November

Published: 23rd October 2023
Jobs to do in the garden – November

We’re heading rapidly towards winter now which is becoming more apparent in the increased rainfall, colder temperatures and the final leaves are falling to the ground.
   We’re here to bring you all you need to know to get your garden ready for the months ahead.

Maintenance

Maintenance is a key part of the gardener’s chore list this month, as we prep for winter, so start by raking up all the fallen leaves.  This includes the ones in ponds and flower beds. Once raked, the leaves can be used as mulch where necessary or composted.
    Some leaves may be slow to break down and therefore should be used on a general heap rather than the compost heap.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the increased rainfall you’ll want to raise your containers onto feet to prevent waterlogging. Think about insulating pots now with hessian, horticultural fleece or bubble wrap before the frosts arrive.

Firepits and braisers can be used to dispose of excess debris that can’t be composted. Make sure to be mindful of wildlife in the area and the debris when creating a fire in your garden space.

Windrock can occur in roses, causing the roots to become loose in the soil due to the plant being rocked by the wind. The best course of action is to cut the rose down by one-third to prevent swaying.

Natural food sources for wild birds and other wildlife will be scarce at the moment so make sure to keep bowls, bird tables and bird tables topped up. Our pet and garden care departments are well stocked with feeds containing the right ingredients and nutrition needed by wildlife right now.
    It’s also important to grow plants that can supplement their diet, such as Callicarpa bodinieri profusion, Pyracantha, Holly, Elder, Hawthorn, Honeysuckle and Ivy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another way you can care for the wildlife in your garden is to allow areas to go wild or unmanaged over the winter period. So when you’re tidying areas by cutting back faded plant stems make sure to leave some for wildlife to use whilst over-wintering.

While sowing seeds and growing on plants is not the main focus, it’s worth cleaning our the greenhouse and protecting any plants inside by insulating. Check for any damaged panes of glass that will need replacing as you wash the windows. Go over the floors and surfaces with a horticultural disinfectant that will help limit any pests that may be overwintering in the greenhouse.

Ponds should be netted to catch any falling leaves and remove any pond weed. We suggest leaving the pond weed beside the pond for a day or so to allow any wildlife in  the pond weed to return to the pond before disposing of it.

There’s still time to lift and divide overgrown clumps of herbaceous perennials. However dahlias, cannas and tuberous bedding begonias that have been hit by the first frosts should be lifted and stored.

If you’re worried about your containers suffering from frost damage over the winter, then wrap the pots in bubble wrap, fleece or hessian now. Otherwise you can find frost resistant pots in store for worry-free planting.

There’s still time to treat your lawn to an aerating with a rake, fork or lawn aerator. After aerating mow at the highest setting and check edges that may need neatening up.

Hellebores leaves may be getting tired looking, so cut off older leaves to make way for more flowers.

To avoid water going stagnant and to monopolise on the increased rainfall, empty your waterbutt when watering the garden or house plants and allow the waterbutts to be replenished by the rains.

Some varieties of Penstemons will carry on flowering well into autumn and early winter, but once faded dead-head the plant leaving the stem. The stems will help protect the crown of the plant from the cold.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tender plants and bulbs will need to be bought into the home or a heated greenhouse if not done so already.

Borderline hardy plants such as Agapanthus should have a layer of autumn mulch around them for protection from the cold.

Bring amaryllis bulbs back into active growth by potting up and giving the plant regular watering and feeding. Starting now should ensure flowering by the festive period.

Stakes and supports used for late-flowering herbaceous plants should be removed to create a tidy space.

If you’re looking to create your own wreath with holly, then cut a small amount now , before the birds enjoy all the berries. To keep them fresh, by standing the sprigs in a bucket of water in a sheltered location.

What to plant

Now is the time to plant your tulips for a spring display full of colour, avoiding shallow planting. Some varieties should be replaced year after year, in the way you would with bedding plants, although others will persist annually.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There’s still time to plant out your winter bedding, such plants being wallflowers, pansies, violas and cyclamen.

Sweet peas can be sown now in a cold frame or an unheated greenhouse.

Some herbs can still be sown this month if grown in a heated greenhouse or on a sunny and warm windowsill. We suggest sowing basil, parsley dill or chives.

There is still time to plant daffodil bulbs this month.

For winter colour you can fill containers and borders with heathers, ivy and some grasses.

 

Deciduous hedges establish their roots quickly when they’re planted during their dormant period, so now is the perfect time to plant.

As you continue to plant spring flowering bulbs, try using a bulb planter in grass areas of the your garden to naturalised style of planting.

Some perennials such as delphiniums, verbascum, lupins and foxgloves can be sown this month in a greenhouse.

Bare-root roses can be planted from now until March.

Plant hellebores to ensure colour and interest to borders over the winter period.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plant magnolia trees this month for a beautiful display in the spring.

Fruit and Vegetables

Blackberries and raspberry canes can be planted out now, making sure to add supports beforehand.

Pak choi, some spring onions and winter salads can be grown under a cloche, otherwise overwintering onion sets, spring cabbage, asparagus crowns and garlic can be planted outdoors this month.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rhubarb crowns can be planted now, preparing the soil first with plenty of organic matter.

After the first frost lift parsnips. The frost will sweeten the flavour of the crop.

Now that most fruit are dormant they won’t need protecting from birds. Remove netting and fruit cages now before any snow arrives which can weigh down the netting.

Sow hardy broad beans  and peas directly outside.

Blueberries can be planted now, making sure to grow in ericaceous soil. Try growing in containers to keep control of the soil acidity.

A bunch of blueberries on the bush

It’s worth taking the time this month to check over any stored onions and garlic bulbs for rotting, as well as any  stored seed potatoes. Remove any that have since rotted, immediately.

Spread a layer of manure over raised beds. This will rot down over winter and improve the soil quality.

Strawberry runner and plants can be planted out this month. Cut off any tired and dead leaves of existing plants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brassicas can be top-heavy so stake them to prevent damage caused by wind and bad weather.  Additional compost around the base of the plants will help prevent root damage, also caused by strong winds.

Spring cabbages can be planted out at the start of November. The crops taste better for being exposed to a frost.

It’s worth wrapping the trunks of fruit trees in grease bands. This will help prevent the winter moths that are wingless from climbing up the trunks and laying their eggs in the tree’s branches.

Asparagus crowns can be planted now. They usually take two years before they’re ready to harvest.

To ensure a vigorous start next season, plant gooseberries and currants this month.

Pest control

Winter pansies can suffer from downy mildew and black spot as a result of the wetter weather. Another problem caused by the wet weather is grey mould or botrytis.

Slugs may still be present under pots and in greenhouses during the autumn period.

House plants can suffer from pests that overwinter in the nooks and crannies. They can be found in greenhouses and in areas of plants such as in the crux of leaf joints and in the bark. Typically you’ll find mealybugs and scale insect nymphs which require picking off or wiping away with a wet cloth and spraying with an insecticide. Repeat each week until there is no evidence of either pest.

Apply glue bands or grease bands to the trunks of fruit trees. This will help prevent wingless female winter moths from climbing the trunks  and laying their eggs in the fruit tree’s branches.

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