The Lawn in November

It’s nearly time to put the lawn to bed to for the year, but if it’s still mild and if your lawn is looking a little pale, you could still apply an autumn fertiliser, but go easy on the application rate!

 

Should the grass still be growing and the weather allows, then you can give a final mow, but keep the blades high on the mower.

You can use the mower to help collect fallen leaves.

Continue to rake moss from the lawn as the weather allows.

 

 

The Flower Garden

Get yourself some wallflowers to provide spring colour! They are a great way of filling gaps in the garden, but also make a great display on their own! Not only that, but they make a great companion for tulips in a spring display!

 

Many perennial plants can be cut down with the tops put on the compost heap, or if diseased confined to the bin!

There is still time to lift and separate perennials.

 

Plant spring flowering bulbs in the garden or in containers.

Order bare root shrubs and perennials and get them planted

 

Reduce the height of roses (other than climbing types) by a third to protect the plants from winter gales.

If not already actioned, lift tuberous begonias, dahlias, gladioli etc. Remove foliage and store in dry conditions

 

Holly berries for Christmas? Cut stems now and keep in a bucket of water. If not the birds will have them!

 

Clear dead leaves and other detritus from around the base of perennial plants. You don’t want to harbour pests and diseases through the winter.

Don’t forget to insulate sensitive plants.

Plant out winter bedding.

Remove surplus leaves from Christmas roses to promote flowering.

 

During the winter you can take root cuttings of perennial poppies, phlox and Verbascum.

 

 

The Vegetable Plot

Plant onions, garlic and shallots, preferably in raised beds and cover with cloches or garden fleece.

 

If not already done, clear discarded tomatoes and cucumber plants from the greenhouse.

Net all brassica plants if not already done, to prevent bird damage.

It’s a good idea to support tall brussels sprouts with a stout cane. You could also ‘earth-up’ stem bases.

 

Use open cloches to protect winter broad beans, peas and winter salads.

Continually check stored vegetables for any deterioration and dispose of infected produce.

 

Sow winter salads such as rocket and leaf salads in seed trays and grow on the window sill for fast veg harvests.

Lift parsnips after the first frost which improves the taste.

Sow broad bean aquadulce  or  ‘the Sutton', if you prefer a dwarf variety. Protect young plants with a cloche

 

The Fruit Patch

Plant bare root top fruit, cane and soft fruit while the plants are dormant but only if the soil is frost free.

 

Prune apple and pear trees between now and February. Prune red, white and blackcurrant bushes.

Cut back blackberry canes almost to ground level and tie in new shoots in their place.

 

Thin out congested spurs on apple trees.

Divide dormant clumps of rhubarb.

Tidy up strawberry beds, cutting out dead leaves and removing runners.

 

Check fruits in storage, removing any showing signs of rot etc.

Wrap glue bands around the trunks of fruit trees to prevent pests climbing up from ground level during the winter.

 

 

The Greenhouse

Have you washed down and cleaned the greenhouse? If not, now’s the time!

 

Growing plants through the winter, you may want to insulate inside with some horticultural fleece or bubble wrap.

Careful not to over-water pot plants in winter poor light.

 

Sow F1 Geraniums & Cactus November/December.