As the days get shorter it is time to start thinking about general tidying in the garden before the bad weather comes. Most of us will have had some frost by now and there will be lots of leaves to rake. If you have room use them to compost and make leaf mould which will enrich your soil with humus.
Herbaceous borders will benefit from being forked over lightly and some of last years’ well rotted garden compost added as a mulch. Garden paths can be cleaned, swept and if shingle some fresh shingle added.
This is an ideal time to lay turf on prepared ground as there should be sufficient moisture in the air to prevent drying out. Benefit from the few days of mild weather that will allow the roots to get down before the winter so you will have a stronger lawn in the spring. The same reasoning applies to the sowing of broad beans and the hardier varieties of peas and sweet peas which can also be sown now in mild areas.
Winter pruning can begin now. This is a good time to deal with old and neglected fruit trees but don’t just snip off the shoots willy nilly. Rather make a plan and better remove some of the large and crossing old branches to let light into the tree. The more you cut and attack the tree then the more vigorous it will respond next year, but remember this will be vegetative growth. Prune red and white currants and this is also a good time to take cuttings if you would like. Take cuttings about 9 inches long and heel them in a sheltered corner of the garden and they will root easily.
Hedges can be renovated and planted. Roses, rhododendrons and azaleas can be planted - also bare root fruit trees, quince, crab apple , blackberry, raspberry and loganberry canes. The sooner these go in the better as they too will benefit from the few mild days to get their roots established. The soft fruit can be divided any time between now and March. When conditions allow lilies are best planted now- but not Lilium candidum which should be planted in August. It’s not too late to plant tulips.
When the weather allows get some digging done; the more done now the easier it will be later on. In the vegetable garden harvest Jerusalem artichokes, cauliflower and winter cabbage, early brussel sprouts, leeks, parsnips and swedes. Remove the dead and any yellowing lower leaves from brussel sprouts. Lift clumps of chives to grow in a pot in the greenhouse to extend their season.
Keep the greenhouse ventilated and frost free if you can. Again try to keep the humidity down and keep the watering down to a minimum. Protect any tender plants against frost. Move any tender pot plants into a sheltered position and/or protect them.
Continue to inspect the apples and potatoes in store and remove any showing signs of disease. Remember to control vermin too. Rats and mice tend to move into buildings when the weather gets colder.
Check the posts that support wires and fences and replace any that have rotted. When the grass stops growing, clean and grease the lawn mower.
Clean out the bird boxes and clean and replenish bird feeders. On a wet day make the most of the rain to clean your cloches and frames so they will be all ready for next year. It’s not that far away!
The Gardening Year