It may seem chilly out there but the summer’s warmth is still in the soil so it’s the ideal time to buy and plant new additions to your garden. Leaves are falling rapidly and wind and rain are on the increase. Tender plants will need protecting from frost, wind and freezing rains either in the greenhouse or wrap in situ. Here are a few jobs to be getting on with this month.
Top plant care jobs ahead of winter
- Plant shrubs, trees and hedging to fill gaps and take advantage of the cheaper bare root and root-balled season from November through to March.
- Plan to turn off small self-contained water features and lift the pump from the water to wrap for protection from damaging frost.
- Clear up fallen leaves – especially from lawns, ponds and beds. (Book your Autumn/ Winter garden tidy with us if you don’t have time)
- Raise containers onto pot feet to prevent water-logging.
Looking good this month:
- Acer griseum
- Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’
- Ilex aquifolium (Holly)
- Ornamental grasses (such as Anemanthele lessoniana and Stipa gigantea)
November is a good time to prune apple and pear trees (but leave plum trees alone until midsummer). Prune blackcurrants, redcurrants, whitecurrants and gooseberries now too, removing deadwood and thinning out congested branches to achieve an open goblet shape.
Leave Ivy (Hedera) over winter, as the flowers and berries are a valuable food source for both birds and bees. It also provides shelter for overwintering ladybirds and butterflies. Don’t worry about it getting out of control, as you can cut it back in spring.
- Divide congested herbaceous perennials and redistribute to fill any gaps.
- Plant tulip bulbs for a spring display next year.
- Prune roses to prevent wind-rock.
- Insulate outdoor containers from frost – bubblewrap works well.
- Protect any exotic plants you have <find out more>
