Gardening Tips in November

Although this can be a month of damp, cold miserable weather - do not despair! - you may still have asters and nerines performing and the berries of skimmias, autumn foliage and decorative bark to keep you company on the bleakest days. Now is the time you really appreciate any evergreen foliage you have planted. If the weather has not been too bad there may still be time to visit the gardens that give a good display of autumn colour.

This is probably one of the busiest months in the garden for maintenance but remember any work done this month will save you loads of time and effort come the spring.

Preparation

With the new seed catalogues out for next spring, now is a best time to sit down with a cup of tea and decide what you want to grow next year. Order it as soon as possible before their seed banks are depleted.

Propagation

Now is a good time if you have some African violets to take leaf cuttings, pot them up and keep them in a heated greenhouse. If you don’t have that luxury - a window sill without direct sunlight will do.
If you have sown seedlings of hardy annuals protect them with some horticultural fleece in the hardest of frosts.
When forcing bulbs such as hyacinths - move to a cool window sill once growth has appeared. Make sure they avoid direct sunlight.
If you are cyclamen lover, sow seeds now for a Christmas display next year. You will need to use a heated greenhouse or a propagation unit to keep a constant temperature.

Pruning

Towards the end of the month winter prune deciduous trees and shrubs including fruit trees and bushes.
Mulch around all fruit trees and shrubs that have been pruned.

Planting

Any hardwood cuttings that you took last autumn should now be planted out into their permanent positions.
If you haven't got any hellebores go out and buy some! Plant them in your garden for a wonderful display of flowers from late winter to early spring.
Traditionally this is the month to plant trees and shrubs although personally I prefer to plant in spring so that I can actually see the plant with it’s foliage. I have had no problems with the soil being a bit colder. Whenever you plant or move shrubs, stake and water them well in, and put a good a layer of mulch around the base.
Now and over the next couple of months is a good time to visit your garden centre to seek out those plants which look good through the winter. When you find them, purchase and plant in your garden.
Protect newly planted trees and shrubs from harsh winds and severe weather.
Plant fruit trees and shrubs now.
It’s still not too late to plant spring flowering bulbs - plant lilies and tulips for next year.
If you love your roses now is a good time to go out and buy bare-rooted roses. They’re much cheaper than the potted ones and tend to establish better in the warm soil of the autumn.

Edibles

You can start harvesting celeriac by digging it up with a fork from now until the spring.
Lift and divide rhubarb crowns.
Early this month plant out garlic.
If you’re into your veg now is the time to lift and heel in winter leeks before the ground is frozen solid. Force Belgian chicory for eating at Christmas.
If you have stored away veg or fruit - keep an eye on them to prevent rot and disease spreading.
Start collecting veg that you have been growing through the summer such as parsnips and brussel sprouts.
There is still time to sow broad beans and peas outside but under the protection of a cloche or something equivalent. Watch out for our little furry friends who are quite partial to the odd nibble of seeds.
If you are growing brassicas this year make sure you cover them up. As the weather becomes colder, all sorts of birds will be hanging around waiting to pounce on them, especially the pigeons.
It is possible to lift and pot up chives to be brought into the house and grow on through the winter.
If you haven't put grease bands around the trunks of your fruit trees do so now -believe me the little critters are gathering around the bottom as we speak.
It is a good time still to take hardwood cuttings of the following: redcurrants, whitecurrants, blackcurrants, gooseberries.
If you have had runner beans, peas and sweet peas take down the supporting structures give them a clean up and store in a dry place for next year.
Sow winter- tolerant lettuces in a coldframe or greenhouse. The best ones to try are 'Winter Destiny', 'Lianne and 'Lobjoits Green Cos'.

Lawns

There is still time before the heavy frost comes to lay turf on prepared soil.
With this mild weather we have been having, your lawn may well still need one final cut. Once that’s out of the way, get your mower serviced, this saves a lot of screaming and shouting next spring when the blasted thing won’t start.
Make sure you don’t walk on the lawn when there is a frost, all you will do is leave big brown foot prints were you have broken the brittle grass stalks.

Indoors plants/Glasshouses

Give your glasshouse, benches, pots and tools a good clean with a disinfectant. Throw away old pots and any rubbish that is not needed.
Now is the time to get those glasshouse heaters fired up to protect any tender plants and cuttings that you have. Insulate the inside of the greenhouse with (you guessed it) bubble wrap. Also insulate your cold frames and on really cold nights cover the cold frame with an extra layer. Just because the air is colder now that should not prevent you ventilating your greenhouse and coldframes on the sunnier days of the month. This will prevent stale air and the dreaded spread of damping off.
Place cyclamen pot plants in a cool, bright position and always apply water to the base of the plant, never into the top. All of this should prevent yellowing of the leaves.
Take hard wood cuttings of vines and pot them up in the greenhouse.

Maintenance

Clear out bird boxes and put some food out for the birds such as nuts, seeds, fruit, and Irish brown bread. Contrary to belief, white bread is not advisable.
When tidying up the garden, leave a pile of wood, and leaves in a corner providing somewhere for any hibernating insects or little animals. Always check for animals before clearing anything in the garden.
Protect pots that are not frost resistant with plastic bubble wrap or if they are not too heavy, move into a sheltered place.
Protect your bananas, tree ferns and other tender plants that you have in a fixed border position by wrapping them up with insulation layer of straw, then some chicken wire to keep it in place then cover with some bubble wrap and tie up.
Lift and store dahlias after flowering.
Check tree ties and stakes before the November winds arrive.
Any climbers that have sent out shoots - make sure you tie them in to prevent them blowing around and getting damaged in the wind.
Continue early this month lifting and dividing herbaceous perennials as the weather and the soil conditions allow.
Lift tuberous begonias before they become mush with the frosts. Dry them out and place them in a dark cool place.
Make sure you remove all submersible pumps from ponds before they are damaged by the frosts.
In the case of heavy frosts at night, place an old football in the pond to allow the fish and any other creatures to survive.
Now is the time to repair tools and do the odd jobs in the garden that you have been putting off - fence repairs, painting, removing the algae off the patio.
Plants will still need watering this month but go easy and be careful not to overwater. The soil should only be slightly damp nearly dry.
To prevent the garden hose from being damaged from the frosts - take in and store, but make sure you drain off any remaining water. Also protect outdoor taps by insulating with some hessian.
Prevent leaves accumulating on the lawn. The lack of air circulation and sunlight will encourage moss.
If you get snow make sure you clear it away before the plant gets damaged by the weight.
Clear leaves up as they fall don’t let them build up which creates back-breaking work raking. Either put them in a compost heap or if you prefer fill black plastic bags and puncture with a fork and pour some water in every couple of months.
Digging is a job that everyone hates but really the earlier in winter you start the better the chance for the rain, snow and frost to break it down. So get cracking.
Tidy borders by cutting out old stems and dead foliage. Give a light fork and rake for a good freshen up. It is a good idea to leave plants with architectural seed heads, these look good when the frost covers them. Plants such as grasses, sedums and any tall herbaceous plants.
Compost the material generated from the clear up – making sure you shred the coarser stuff.

Plants that look good this month