10 things to do in the garden during November
Daylight hours
The clocks have gone back, the mercury has dropped and we can feel that winter is almost upon us. The shortening days and colder weather can feel a little daunting at times, so it’s really important to make the most of every bright, dry day and get outside to enjoy the garden.
Under cover
As we all know, the weather can get very cold in November so it’s a good idea to cover tender shrubs and perennials with fleece just to be on the safe side. You should also raise pots off the floor to avoid waterlogging and compost freezing.
November is tulip-planting month and the garden centres are full of gorgeous varieties. Aim to plant three or four times the depth of the bulb. The most common reason why bulbs fail to flower is planting too shallow.
Festive displays
Beautiful Bellis, violas, primroses, Hellebores and Christmas roses are all looking very good right now. They can make your pots and borders feel very festive for December.
Root master
From now until early winter is a great time to plant bare-root plants, shrubs and trees. Temperatures are still quite good so plant now to enjoy a crop of apples, pears, cherries, gooseberries and raspberries.
Mulching orders
If the weather is still mild, get the garden tidy before winter by mulching any bare soil with a layer of compost or well-rotted manure. This will help to protect it from the elements over the coming months.
Feathered friends
Don’t forget to feed the birds and keep bird baths topped up. You can also plant shrubs such as Callicarpa, Gaultheria and Skimmias to provide winter berries throughout the winter months.
Cut backs
As winter approaches, perennials are looking a little tired and brown so either cut back now or keep seed heads for birds to feast on and then cut back in the spring.
Pond life
Remove rotting leaves from pond plants and surrounding plants with a net as they give off noxious chemicals when they decay. This will ensure your pond is healthy for fish and other wildlife all year round.
Green clean
It’s time to show your greenhouse some love. Replace any damaged glass and give the whole space a good clean, using a horticultural disinfectant to kill any overwintering pests and diseases. You’ll thank yourself next spring!
Conifers are reliable evergreens that provide year-round interest and colour. My favourites include Cryptomeria japonica ‘Little Champion’ which is a compact, round conifer that is great for containers. Juniperis communis is another small shrub that will happily brighten up the winter months.
