Keep Calm and Garden On… November’s Essential To-Do List
The year might be winding down, but your garden certainly doesn’t have to. November brings a slower rhythm, yes, but it’s also one of the most rewarding times to get outside and prepare for the seasons ahead. While the days shorten and the air turns crisp, a few well-timed jobs now will set you up beautifully for a vibrant, healthy garden next spring.
This month is all about tidying, protecting, and nurturing. From insulating your greenhouse against frosty nights to tidying borders and giving the soil some love, every little bit helps your plants face winter in good shape. It’s also the perfect moment to check bird feeders, tend to your indoor greenery, and make the most of what’s left in the kitchen garden.
So, pull on a warm jumper, wrap your hands around a mug of tea, and step outside. The work you do in November pays off tenfold when the first buds of spring appear.
Greenhouse Care Ahead of Chilly Nights
Where better to start than in your ever-reliable greenhouse? This is the time to add a layer of insulation, using a roll of specialist horticultural bubble wrap cut to size, to the greenhouse to create a snug environment. Hold the material in place with plastic clips, which fit right into the grooves between each glazing bar.
Keep an eye on your plants growing in the greenhouse this month, removing an dead, dying, or disease leaves as soon as you spot them!
Maintain Your Beds and Borders
Well put-together beds and border displays should feature many perennials, which show off stems that can be left completely untouched over winter, giving you something interesting to look at. However some varieties may be past their best at this time, such as Phlox, Alchemilla, and Anemone, so be sure to cut these back to near ground level.
Annual weeds can blight our displays at this time of year, as they can continue to grow in mild weather, so be sure to deal with them by following our weeds guide here. Give dry soil a new lease of life and improve water retention by digging in some leaf mould.
Leave seed heads alone on most perennials, but cut back any that appear to be fading or have collapsed in windy or wet weather conditions.
Now is the best time to plant tulips, in a sunny spot, at a depth between two and three times their size, with a layer of horticultural grit in the bottom of each hole to prevent rotting.
Treat the Birds!
Give an early Christmas gift to the birdlife of your garden with bird feeders.
This is the time of the year when birds need all the energy they can get to get through winter, so hang bird feeders and ensure water sources are kept topped up and clean.
Don’t Forget About Indoor Plants
While most of your attention may be on the plants and greenery of your garden, be sure to spare a thought for those that call your house home. Despite seeming to be protected inside, away from potential sub-zero temperatures, houseplants still need some extra care when winter approaches.
We, sadly, have fewer hours of daylight now, so less light creeps in through our windows, leading to indoor plants starting to prepare for winter dormancy. Growth will slow and they’ll start to rest, charging up ready to burst to life with new growth in spring.
Aim for a consistent temperature above 10C in any room with a houseplant and keep them away from direct heat sources, such as radiators, as well as draughts.
Reduce watering so the compost almost completely dries out, then water to prevent rot. Move plants to sunny windowsills during the day, then back into the room at night, while making sure to wipe dust away from the leaves.
Goodies from the Kitchen Garden
Have you started planning out your Christmas Day table? Why not get some of your homegrown produce involved this year? Make sure you can make the most of your efforts in the kitchen garden this year.
Regularly check any stored apples and pears you picked this year, removing any that are starting to rot. Check stored potatoes too for signs of blight. Any that are soft, rotting or discoloured should go straight into the bin to to prevent fungal disease from spreading.
Pigeons can make a mess of cabbages, sprouts, kale and other brassica crops. Protect them by covering with a sheet of plastic mesh held in place by bamboo canes.
Last, But Certainly Not Least
Many recently planted spring bedding favourites, such as wallflowers, daisies, myosotis, may have loosened in strong winds. Secure by firming them into the soil with your fingers.
Excessive moisture can rot alpines. Protect alpine plants by stacking a columns of bricks on either side, topped with a clear piece of rigid plastic.
Wash any slippery surfaces of your garden. Algae, moss, and other grime can easily be removed by scrubbing with water and a few drops of specialist cleaner.
Cover the compost heap with a piece of old carpet or cardboard. This will help to maintain a temperature suitable for the rotting down material inside.
Clean up your mower before storing it away. Put it on its side and remove any trapped grass or remaining grass or mud debris with a stiff brush. Apply some elbow grease on those particularly stubborn bits, washing with soap and water.
Finally, if you are reading this month’s guide early in November, then you may well be preparing for Bonfire Night! Be sure to check through any piles of wood or foliage prior to lighting for any hibernating hedgehogs.
Ready to get your garden into tip-top order? Get everything you need for that big tidy up this autumn with our Autumn Garden Tidy Kit, shop here!
