The November Garden
November is the month of pruning and planting, tidying and preparing the garden for the winter cold and wet. Weed borders now - it makes for an easier start to the year - rather than let letting perennial weeds get established over the winter. Don't be too tidy, leave perennial plants until the spring to cut down as they provide habitat for over-wintering beneficial insects - such as as ladybirds and beetles - and seed heads for the birds to feed on. Herbaceous plants die back quickly once the frost strikes so mark with a stick plants that could easily be damaged when digging.
Tidy up and tie in climbing plants such as roses and other wall shrubs to prevent the winter winds doing damage.
Prune large specimens of Buddleja, Hazel (Corylus), Philadelphus and Elder (Sambucus). Remove the oldest branches up to a ½ of the total bush, this technique is best suited to large shrubs that branch low down or grow as multi stemmed plants from the base. This again prevents damage over the winter and leaves a little bit of extra growth which can be pruned in Spring together with any bits which have died back. Roses too benefit from being cut back in this manner to prevent the winds rocking them and opening up the root system to the elements.
This is the last chance to lift and store dahlias, begonias and other tender bulbs and tubers. Let them dry out in a cool place, then store in shallow boxes of dry peat or compost in a frostfree garage or shed.
Of course this is the month where we have to spend hours clearing the fallen leaves - there seems to be more every year! - and storing them in a compost heap or bags to rot down into the leaf mould which is so good as the base of a potting compost. The small ones such as Beech work best and fastest with trees like Sycamore being bigger and sticking together and taking a lot longer. It can be speeded up if they are chopped up by a leaf blower / vacuum or lawn mower first.
It should be possible to begin picking early brussel sprouts. Pick the biggest ones from the bottom of the stem upwards and stake any plants that are likely to be disturbed by strong winds.
Lift and store all remaining root crops still in the ground now such as carrots, swede, beetroot and turnips.
Finish clearing crop remains and compost them.
There are a few bargains to be had as Garden Centres reduce the prices of tulips and daffodill bulbs to get them cleared. There is still time to plant them if you are quick. Make sure that the bulbs are firm and free from mould though as this will end up with them just rotting in the ground.
Finally look after the birds. Clear out bird boxes ready for spring. Put out food for them; they will reward you by eating pests such as aphids, caterpillars, slugs and snails.