Gardening Tips for November
With autumn well on its way, the garden is showing less colour – except for the evergreens and berries.
As the leaves continue to fall, keep them raked up and composted or stored for leaf mould. It is all about preparing for the colder temperatures now.
If you have a lot of pots they can be cracked by frost. Move them near to a house wall for protection and they could be wrapped in bubble plastic for extra protection. Succulents don’t like the cold and wet, so will need moving into a greenhouse (kept frost free) or a conservatory. If this is not possible, perhaps due to size, try storing them under a patio table in a sheltered corner adding extra protection in the form of fl eece or bubble plastic if it is very cold for any length of time. It is when pots are very wet and then the soil freezes that plants can be killed, because the roots freeze. Sempervivums (house leeks) have also become popular recently and, although hardy, these also don’t want to be too wet. If you have a cold frame they will be happier in there.
Tulip bulbs should be planted now, either in the ground or pots. Many varieties don’t come back a second year, but the old fashioned Darwin varieties seem to return again and again. Lilies can also be planted now. It is a good idea to put a layer of grit under the corms to protect them from rotting.
When tidying the borders, leave cutting back of tender plants like salvias and penstemons until spring and protect them with a layer of mulch. Cut the leaves of hellebores, so that when the fl owers appear you can see them. Ornamental grasses and bamboos can also be tidied up now. Do not
feed plants at this time of year as it will encourage new soft growth, which can be damaged by cold winds and low temperatures. Finish pruning of climbing roses and make sure they are tied into trellis or wires before the wind damages them and check stakes on trees and shrubs. If we get snow, brush it off smaller trees and shrubs to stop the weight breaking the branches. Bare root hedging and roses will be available this month and would be much cheaper than container grown plants.
If you grow vegetables make sure that you protect brassica varieties with netting or the pigeons will eat them. Prune apple and pear trees, also red and white currants or gooseberries. If you are storing apples make sure you check them regularly. The birds will appreciate any rotting ones. Don’t forget to feed the birds – seeds, fat balls and blocks will be appreciated as berries gradually disappear. Hang feeders near trees and bushes so that there is protection from cats, etc.
With less to do in the garden, start planning for next year!
Denise Hill Broadstone in Bloom
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