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Remember, Remember to Prune in November
You could be forgiven for thinking that November is a month to stay indoors, curl up in front of the fire and ignore the garden. But there are plenty of jobs you could be doing in order to reap the rewards over the winter.
Begin to prune established and younger fruit trees including apples, pears and grapevines. Rose bushes would benefit from a light prune now and if you have not already pruned your climbing roses, this really does need to be done this month.
Cuttings can be taken from fruits such as blackcurrants, redcurrants, gooseberries and newly pruned grapevines. Don’t forget to make sure they are all free from disease first to avoid spreading nasties!
Apples and pears affected by diseases or pests need to be disposed of – do not just leave them to rot as they could affect next year’s crop. Store apples in a cool, dark and dry area, preferably a garage or shed and use paper as a lining to absorb any damp.
Winter vegetables including leeks, winter cabbage, spinach, Swiss chard, radishes and cauliflower can all be harvested this month. Root vegetables such as carrots, turnip and swede can all be lifted and stored for use over the winter months – very tasty in a warming soup or casserole, mmmm!
Herbs should be protected against the colder, wetter weather. Simply use a cloche as a barrier or pot the herbs and bring inside. Grosvenor has a new range of harvesting essentials including herb drying kits and even a set with everything you need to make your own pesto! Just add herbs!
You can still plant bulbs including tulips this month and this is the last chance to plant out winter bedding including forget-me-nots, primula and viola for plenty of colour in early spring.
Grasses can be cut back this month but don’t tidy them too much as they still create interest in a winter garden.
Lift and divide herbaceous perennials to encourage flowering and improve the general shape and appeal of the bush.
Tender plants should be cared for indoors over the colder months and if you have a heated greenhouse, so much the better!
A handy tip to try this winter to avoid extreme temperature changes and cracking of your pots, especially terracotta, is to wrap them in sacking or bubble wrap.
Keep on top of your weeds too, as they will still crop up over the winter.
Plants do not need to be fed at this time of year as they are no longer growing but aim to avoid pests and diseases next year by keeping on top of fallen leaves and garden debris. The advent of 5th November is a good excuse for a bonfire but please be careful that no small animals or birds are hiding or nesting before setting it alight.
Houseplants are a wonderful addition to any festive home and by potting up Amaryllis bulbs now, you could have beautiful flowers ready for Christmas.
Remember to water and feed regularly for the best blooms.
So, as you can see, there is still plenty to do in your garden this month and next month sees us look forward to Christmas by helping you choose a real Christmas tree.
Grosvenor Gardening Tips for November
1. Begin to clear up fallen leaves and garden debris
2. Use pot feet to ensure baskets and containers are raised
3. Plant tulips now for striking floral display next spring
4. Plant winter bedding and roses now
5. Insulate pots, especially terracotta, against cracking by wrapping in bubble wrap or Hessian
6. Feed the birds and wildlife
7. Watch out for pests – especially slugs
8. Protect new trees, plants and shrubs from winter weather
9. Add your garden refuse to the compost heap for an environmentally friendly method of disposing of leaves and debris.
