November Top Tips

SHRUB BORDER
 - Before the weather becomes too poor for any serious gardening, it will pay to try to get as much tidying up done around the garden. Leaf sweeping , removing dead or broken branches from fruit trees and ornamentals. It is important to keep leaves swept off lawns. This is very important in the prevention disease and the winter hibernation of garden pests. leaves make the garden untidy and on pathways can become slipery and ofter quite dangerous.

 - If you have any vacant ground in the garden, get it dug now so that winter frost can get to work on the soil structure-breaking it down to a fine tilth by spring time next year, it is a good time of year to add manure or good garden compost to the soil so that it has time to decompose in the soil before planting next year.

 - Tall shrubs such as Buddleja and Lavatera can be cut back by half or to about 60cm (2ft) before the winter winds damage to the root system bu blowing them around.

 - Check any recently planted trees and large shrubs that they are securely supported and tied for the winter.

 - Check that the glass is securely fixed and in good repair in the glasshouse in readyness for the winter. Add a layer of bubble-wrap polythene to the inside of the glasshouse this will save a degree or two of winter heat. Check that all glasshouse heaters are working at the correct temperature.
 
SPRING FLOWERING BULBS
 - The planting of spring flowering bulbs should be completed by now. Check for rodent damage on, any bulbs that are covered with peat or potting compost for forcing, they may also need an extra covering of compost or peat if growing too fast.

 - Towards the end of the month bring inside one or two early flowering hyacinths that are being forced. Place them in a light warm place such as the conservatory or window sill to continue their growing.
 
LAWNS
 - If the weather is 'open' (neither frosty or wet) and the surface is firm, mow once with the blades set high. All equipment should now be cleaned and oiled for winter storage.

 - If worm casts appear, brush them with a broom.

 - Keep the lawn clear of fallen leaves and other debris.

 - November is far too late for seed sowing, it is a good month to lay a new lawn with turf or carry out repairs to an existing lawn.
 
HOUSEPLANTS
 - Give all house plants as much light as possible now, cease feeding until next spring. Remember that house plants can 'bake', dry out and end up with scorch marks if they are placed too near radiators, electric fires or on the top of televisions.

 - Do not place tender houseplants on window ledges, move them elswhere before you draw the curtains. Cyclamen will be one of the most important flowering plants sold between now and Christmas, remember when the flowers are faded pull the dead flower stems off rather than leaving part of the stem attached to the corm, this will decompose and cause rotting to the rest of plant. Do not over water or stand in water.

 - With most flowering plants it is best this time of year to water from the top and allow the excess water to drain through the pot, before returning to its pot cover.

 - Early Poinsettia's will be available now, these must be placed in an even temperature, they do not like the cold or draughs.
 
HERBACEOUS BORDER
 - It is a good time of year now to protect any tender plants such as Tree Ferns, Palms and Banana's. With large tree ferns (Dicksonia Antartica) create a nest around the crown by attaching wire-mesh and filling it with straw or bracken, draw the large fronds together and tie with cord or old nylon tights (they will not rub the fronds) and then wrap with horticultral fleece for winter protection.

 - More tender varieties such as Dicksonia Fibrosa and D. Squarrosa, and their cousin the 'Cyathea' tree ferns will need the extra protection of a heated greenhouse or conservatory. Banana's should be completely wrap in horticultral fleece, if in a large pot place in a garage or garden shed,if too large then a sheltered protected part of the garden. If small enough place in a heated greenhose or conservatory. Cordylines and Palms should also be wrapped in horticultral fleece for winter protection.

 - With large palms such as Trachycarpus fortuneii wrap the fleece around the trunk between the leaves and give an extra protective later to the central cluster of leaves at the top of the plant.

 - If you have not lifted dahlias by now, this job should be done without delay or they get frosted and decay in the soil.  - Treasured chrysanthemums stalls (roots) can be lifted now, place in wooden trays in some multi-purpose compost. Then place the trays in the green house under the staging or in a garden frame for the winter.

 - If you have agapathus in pots, move then to a sheltered part of the garden and again cover the crowns with some horticultral fleece for some extra protection.

 - One last job in the herbaceous border, lightly fork some manure in to the soil and remove any weeds. Cut down any decaying foliage now, this will tidy up the garden.
 
FRUIT GARDEN
 - The pruning of apples and pears can begin now, completely remove any crossing branches and those pointing towards the centre of the tree. Remove a dead and diseased wood. Shorten all of this years new growth wood by about half, it is difficult to generalize on fruit tree pruning as every tree is diffirent. It is most important to have the right tools for the job a good pair of sharp seceturs or loppers for thicker wood is a wise investment.

 - Remember that Christmas is just around the corner these tools make an ideal present.

 - If your fruit trees and bushes are getting old and need replacing or you have space for a new fruit tree there are lots of new modern varieties on dwarfing rootstocks available in our garden centres, we also have a good selection of soft fruit available.

 - After pruning spray the trees with 'Winter Wash' this will kill any dorment insects over wintering on your trees. Give your fruit garden a top dressing of well composted manure, lightly dig the soil and remove any weeds.

 - Make sure that all fruit trees are secure against winter winds.
 
VEGETABLE GARDEN
 - Heavy clay soils will work more easily next spring if they dug over now and the soil left in large 'clods' and let the frost break it down, this will also let the frost kill any over wintering insect 'eggs' in the soil. Get as much digging done as posible before the soil becomes too wet and sticky to work on and if you have well composted manure or garden compost dig that in.

 - Lift any remaining parsnips, store in damp peat. In a sheltered garden you can sow broad beans seeds now ready for an early crop next year.

 - Remove yellowing leaves from brussel sprouts that have fallen to the ground. When picking sprouts start picking from the bottom upwards.
 
BEDDING PLANTS
 - Planting for next spring should be completed by now, keep dead heading flowering pansies and viola's.

 - If you have any 'Miricale Cycleman' planted for autumn colour in the border, container or window box cover then with horticultral fleece, this will extend their flowering life before the real cold frosts kill them.
 
GARDEN POND
 - November is the latest that aquatic plants can be cut back or repotted.

 - Remove any sediment from the bottom of the pond with a 'pond vacuum'.

 - Cover ponds with a net to help keep any falling leaves out. Clean out pond filters. Switch off 'Ultra-Violet' filters, clean quartz sleeve and replace bulb ready for use next spring.

 - Keep pond filters running throughout winter to maintain bacteria in filter, raise pump into the top 12 inches of water (30cm).

 - Be prepared for cold winter weather and purchase a pond heater now.

 - Only feed fish on mild days and only when they are active, use a 'wheat germ' based food.
 
TREES & SHRUBS
 - The only tree that flowers this month is Prunus subhirtella Autumnalis and Autumnalis Rosea dainty white or pink flowers will bloom from now untill next march, a really beautiful tree to have in the garden during the winter.

 - The winter flowering heathers 'Carnea' will all becoming into flower over the next three months, very colourful 'tough' plants will add a splash of winter colour to any garden.

 - Remember that winter flowering heathers are lime tolorants so can be grown on clay soils. Jasminium nudiflorum will also begin to produce dainty yellow flowers now until the end of February.

 - Lonicera standishii will begin to produce small pale fragrant flowers. Viburnum Bodnantense dawn will also be producing fragrant pink colourful flowers during the coming weeks. Walk round you shrubs and remove any dead or damaged growths before winter sets in.
 
NOVEMBER TOP TIP
Clean all your gardening tools, give then a coat of oil or grease to help preserve them and keep rust at bay. Remember your Christmas list if you need any replacements.