Damaging frosts may occur at any time now so if frost threatens tender plants must be brought inside. But with the cooler temperatures the autumn colours will appear. Enjoy what you see and use this natural palette to think ahead of what you might want to change or introduce.
Chrysanthemums should be brought into the greenhouse which should be kept well ventilated. Gradually reduce the watering of potted up Fuschias and generally keep the greenhouse drier as it gets colder. Dahlias can be left in the ground until the cold has blackened them, but if you want to remember what colour they are, place a label on a stem before they are blackened by the frost.
Prune blackberries in the same way as the loganberries and thin and tie in the raspberries. Do not cut the tips – this is best done in February. In a wet year, such as we have had, raspberries tend to produce a lot of new basal shoots. Now is the time to remove the unwanted ones. Take gooseberry cuttings.
Lift and divide Asters after flowering and prepare the ground for spring bedding by digging or forking and then adding fertiliser. Additional bone meal helps to promote root growth.
Plant up containers with spring flowering plants and bulbs taking care to preserve as much root as possible on the plants – the more root the more chance they have to get established. Then start planting spring bedding for early displays - Wallflowers, Polyanthus, Forget-me-not, Sweet William and Foxglove.Plant out spring cabbages and autumn sown onion sets and garlic.
Pot up shrub cuttings which were taken in July and August.
Buy or make a cold frame. This will be very useful in the winter and spring for protecting tender plants. Sow winter salads in a cold greenhouse.
Prune climbing and rambler roses tying in the stems where necessary.
Late carrots keep best when left in the soil, but it is best to protect them with straw when it gets frosty. Protect less hardy plants too with fleece, In exposed areas Brussel sprouts will benefit from staking and the removal any of the lower leaves that are turning yellow - to prevent fungal disease.
Spray peaches and nectarines against peach leaf curl using a copper based fungicide just before leaf fall.
Continue to tidy herbaceous borders and vegetable garden. Clear the garden of weeds and clear around fruit trees. Cut down Asparagus and sweep up and compost the leaves as they fall. Turning the compost heaps will assist the decomposition.
Collect and dispose of any apples and pears which are starting to rot. Reduce the frequency of mowing of the lawn, scarify and aerate.
The Gardening Year
NOVEMBER IN MY GARDEN
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!
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!
DECEMBER IN MY GARDEN
DECEMBER IN MY GARDEN
Now is the time to sit before a lovely fire and get out your seed catalogue and plan your garden for next year. I sowed my broad beans last month from saved seed and I always keep the dried pods which make excellent kindling. There may even be some items in the catalogue you might want to add to your own Christmas list! With the ash dieback disease remember the old saying : Ash mature or green, makes a fire fit for a Queen!
You can plan any structural changes for your garden too this month and still have several winter months ahead to implement the changes. Prepare the ground for these changes, for new lawns and new areas to be planted next year. Fences should be repaired and wooden trellis and pergolas will benefit from treatment with a wood preservative.
There are still some leaves to be raked but some left around the roots of shrubs will help protect them from the winter cold as well as Clean the paths and driveways removing lichen and moss.
In the vegetable garden there will be celery, beetroot, turnips, swedes, sprouts, carrots, parsnips and Jerusalem artichokes to harvest. When the weather allows the rest of the vegetable garden should be cleaned and dug, digging in some well rotted farmyard manure and some garden compost.
If Dahlias have been lifted inspect them and dust with flowers of sulphur. Cut back potted pelargonium to 6 – 9 inches above the base. Clean and prepare seed trays for spring sowing. Clean out the greenhouse, wash the glass, move any plants out while sterilising with Jeyes fluid.
Plant deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs if the ground allows. Do not try to plant if the ground is wet and sticky or frozen. There is an old saying that shallots should be planted on the shortest day of the year and harvested on the longest. Pinch the tops out of your sweet pea seedlings if you made an autumn sowing.
Prune any overgrown trees and shrubs and deciduous hedges. Prune any grape vines before Christmas to prevent any bleeding. Half prune roses and begin the winter pruning of soft and tree fruits. Take hardwood cuttings from deciduous climbers such as Wisteria and Carnation cuttings towards the end of the month.
Collect holly -with berries if possible- as well as some colourful stems and winter flowering shrubs, to decorate the house at Christmas. We make our own wreath using seasonal foliage and berries and seed heads stuck into a base of bracken tied round with twine which looks lovely and welcoming on the front door.
Protect any tender vulnerable plants if the temperatures plummet. They say “Clear moon – frost soon, Halo around the moon, rain soon!” If it snows shake the snow off shrubs and trees to prevent damage. The birds will be feeling the cold so now is a good time to start feeding them, if you haven’t already started.
Finally enjoy the festive season with your family and friends because the gardening season officially ends on 31st December – and starts on 1st January! (Marie Huston)
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Gardening Year!
Now is the time to sit before a lovely fire and get out your seed catalogue and plan your garden for next year. I sowed my broad beans last month from saved seed and I always keep the dried pods which make excellent kindling. There may even be some items in the catalogue you might want to add to your own Christmas list! With the ash dieback disease remember the old saying : Ash mature or green, makes a fire fit for a Queen!
You can plan any structural changes for your garden too this month and still have several winter months ahead to implement the changes. Prepare the ground for these changes, for new lawns and new areas to be planted next year. Fences should be repaired and wooden trellis and pergolas will benefit from treatment with a wood preservative.
There are still some leaves to be raked but some left around the roots of shrubs will help protect them from the winter cold as well as Clean the paths and driveways removing lichen and moss.
In the vegetable garden there will be celery, beetroot, turnips, swedes, sprouts, carrots, parsnips and Jerusalem artichokes to harvest. When the weather allows the rest of the vegetable garden should be cleaned and dug, digging in some well rotted farmyard manure and some garden compost.
If Dahlias have been lifted inspect them and dust with flowers of sulphur. Cut back potted pelargonium to 6 – 9 inches above the base. Clean and prepare seed trays for spring sowing. Clean out the greenhouse, wash the glass, move any plants out while sterilising with Jeyes fluid.
Plant deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs if the ground allows. Do not try to plant if the ground is wet and sticky or frozen. There is an old saying that shallots should be planted on the shortest day of the year and harvested on the longest. Pinch the tops out of your sweet pea seedlings if you made an autumn sowing.
Prune any overgrown trees and shrubs and deciduous hedges. Prune any grape vines before Christmas to prevent any bleeding. Half prune roses and begin the winter pruning of soft and tree fruits. Take hardwood cuttings from deciduous climbers such as Wisteria and Carnation cuttings towards the end of the month.
Collect holly -with berries if possible- as well as some colourful stems and winter flowering shrubs, to decorate the house at Christmas. We make our own wreath using seasonal foliage and berries and seed heads stuck into a base of bracken tied round with twine which looks lovely and welcoming on the front door.
Protect any tender vulnerable plants if the temperatures plummet. They say “Clear moon – frost soon, Halo around the moon, rain soon!” If it snows shake the snow off shrubs and trees to prevent damage. The birds will be feeling the cold so now is a good time to start feeding them, if you haven’t already started.
Finally enjoy the festive season with your family and friends because the gardening season officially ends on 31st December – and starts on 1st January! (Marie Huston)
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Gardening Year!
Five Pointers on transforming your plot into your dream garden
1. Budget - Decide on a realistic budget. Work out weather you require paid help. Remember that the cost of materials, plants and hire equipment can soon add up.
2. Length of stay - If you are planning to stay in your home a while, you can afford to wait for your garden to mature. If you require a more instant garden, it'll cost your more. Plan this into your budget.
3. Safety - If you have babies, children, you won't want a water feature or any poisonous plants. Think about slopes and moving around the garden especially if elderly persons live with you.
4. Level of maintenance - Are you a lazy or keen gardener? It makes a difference to the design of your garden. If you are the former, opt for low-maintenance features, such as ground cover plants or mulch, to save regular weeding rather than masses of annuals in a border, which need a lot of looking after.
5. The next thing you need to do- look at what already exists in your garden and think about how it can be re-used. As it can be tempting to throw everything out and start with a clean slate (adds to the budget). Secondly (for thought) all the woody plant material and pruning’s can be quickly fed into a hired shredder and the chippings make excellent mulch for the borders.
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