There’s no doubt that winter is approaching. The trees are looking barer, the days are shorter and the heating’s been turned on, but there are still lots of jobs to get done in the garden. November is the time to get your garden ready for winter, plant seasonal produce and enjoy the crisp, cool mornings.
Flowers
Spring bulbs: Now is a great time to plant your spring bulbs so they’ll look fantastic next year. There’s still time to plant daffodils, and it’s the ideal month to plant tulip bulbs and magnolias. A terracotta pot is the best place to plant hyacinth bulbs, too.
Rose Bushes: If any of your rose bushes suffer from rust or black spots, be sure to clear away fallen leaves from around the bush. This will help to prevent infection next year.
Winter flowers: For some colour in your garden through winter, plant heather, trailing ivy and grasses in pots around your garden.
Lawn
Raking: With the trees getting ready for winter, ensure to regularly remove leaves and debris that fall on the lawn – either by gently raking or using a leaf blower.
Repair Patches: Following bonfire night, excessive traffic on your lawn may cause bare patches to appear. Depending on your lawn, the treatments might vary. Speak to your Greensleeves lawn treatment expert for advice!
Autumn Lawn Treatment: Greensleeves’ autumn treatment happens between September and November. It helps to maintain the colour and strength of the grass into winter. If you don’t already have our seasonal treatments, then it’s the perfect time to start.
Fruit and Vegetables
Pruning fruit trees: November is the ideal time to start pruning pear and apple trees (you can do it any time between November and February). Be sure not to prune your plum trees though as it can cause fungal problems to develop over the winter.
Currants: Currant bushes are dormant now, so it’s the ideal time to get them planted in your garden.
Parsnips: Lift parsnips after the first frosts. This ensures they have a beautiful sweet taste.
Perennial Beds: November is a great time to prepare perennial beds. Fill them with rhubarb and asparagus crowns.
Mushrooms: It’s the best time of year to plant mushrooms. You can buy mushroom starter kits for an easy way to get going (or rather, get growing).
Manure: If you use fresh manure to fertilise your soil, now is the ideal time to spread it over your vegetables beds. It can then rot down over the winter months to provide fantastically fertilised soil come spring.
Greenhouse
Insulate: Insulate your greenhouse using bubble wrap, for example, to minimise heat loss.
Clean out: Clean out the greenhouse, washing down the walls and floor with disinfectant designed for use in horticulture.
Ventilate: If you’re using paraffin-based heaters, it’s vital that you ventilate your greenhouse, particularly after watering.
Around and About
Painting: Use the last of the dry weather to paint sheds and fences before the winter. This provides extra protection for the wood against the cold and rain.
Scaffolding Plank: It’s a good idea to build a scaffolding plank through your vegetable patches to avoid compacting the soil by walking on it in the winter weather.
Net ponds: If you haven’t already, make sure you net your garden ponds to prevent leaves falling into them.
Bird Baths and Feeders: It’s a great time of year to invest in bird baths or feeders if you don’t already have them. Birds help to keep your garden healthy and free from pests — and the birds will be grateful in the coming cold months.
