Jobs for your garden in November
1) The earlier any winter digging can be done, the better, as this allows rain, snow, frost and ice to break down clods of soil and make cultivations in spring so much easier.
2) There is a current move towards ‘no digging’ on vegetable plots, which involves digging the area to double depth (double digging) and incorporating organic matter throughout the two areas in
order to cultivate an area of really deep soil and encourage the increase of worms and other creatures by applying an annual top dressing of organic matter or ‘compost’ which will be taken
down into the soil. Small paths should be made across the area so that it is not necessary to walk on the growing area at any time in the future, for either cultivations, harvesting or other reasons and thus prevent any soil compaction.
3) The wind, frost and rain has suddenly brought down large quantities of leaves. If you can collect and compost them, they will make the best compost ever for use next year. Softer
foliage from prunings around the garden can be incorporated into this compost, but woody branches and hard stems will take much longer to rot down. Be prepared to wait a long time for
them to be usable, or hire a shredder and incorporate the product into the compost, or use as a mulch next year.
4) Whilst busy doing the autumn trimming don’t get carried away by doing everything! Plants such as Viburnum bodnantense will carry sweetly-scented pink flowers right through the winter,
as does Lonicera fragrantissima and the tree Prunus subhirtella ‘Autumnalis.
5) If you enjoy the picture of heavily-frosted shrubs, don’t remove the stems of Sedums. Many Ornamental grasses and trees with a fine branch system, such as birch, and plants which may be a
focal point in the garden, will have character throughout the year.
6) Clear out bird boxes and sterilise them with boiling water.
7) Be sure to check for hibernating animals before lighting a bonfire.
8) Have the lawnmower serviced and cleaned before rust becomes established.
9) Think about planting tulip bulbs after the middle of the month.
10) KEEP OFF THE LAWN IN FROSTY WEATHER!
11) Insulate pots left out over winter.
12) Winter prune fruit trees and bushes, and plant new or additional ones.
13) Lift and store dahlias if not done already.
14) Start amaryllis (hippeastrum) bulbs into growth urgently if required to flower by Christmas.
15) Start pruning glasshouse grape vines when outdoor weather is inclement.
16) When receiving consignments of new plants, soak the roots for 24 hours in a bucket of water before planting. If planting conditions are not suitable, take out a trench in a sheltered area of the garden and put the roots of the plants in the trench with the above ground parts of the plant at 45 degrees to stop wind blowing them about. Plant in final position when circumstance allow.
17) When planting new trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants, make sure to firm in the soil around the roots as you fill back the planting hole.
Posted 1st Nov 5:10pm