Gardening Tips – November

It’s just 7 weeks to Christmas and here at Thorngrove we have been busy ourselves putting our herbaceous to bed for the Winter just like you may be doing in your garden. With November underway, there’s plenty to keep you busy, so here’s a few jobs to keep your garden safe and tidy this Winter.

• Clear up fallen leaves, especially from lawns, ponds and borders. If you’ve got space in the garden, put them in a heap to rot down and make leaf mould, as this makes an excellent soil improver. It will also help cut down on pest that may hibernate under the leaves.
• If you have plants in containers outside, raise them up on pot feet or bricks to help prevent water logging. If you have some that maybe a bit tender you can wrap your pots in bubble wrap to help stop the pots from freezing
• You still have time to plant Tulip bulbs for your spring displays
• Prune roses to prevent wind rock
• Plant out Winter bedding such as pansies and primroses also wallflowers
• There is still time to lift and divide overgrown clumps of herbaceous
• Put bird food out to encourage Winter birds into the Garden
• Use a seasonal Bonfire if you’re allowed, to dispose of excess debris which is unfit for composting
• Cut leaves of your Christmas and Lenten rose type Hellebores to make way for the flowers
• Ornamental Grasses and Bamboos can be cut back and tidied up this time of year, also lift your Dahlias, Cannas and tuberous bedding Begonias that have been hit by the first Frosts. Put them somewhere you can dry them out as this will prevent them from rotting before you put them away in a frost free place for the Winter
• Apply an Autumn mulch to help protect your plants that are Borderline hardy such as Agapanthus, Kniphofias and Phygelius, the mulching will also help improve and maintain soil structure.

Pests and Diseases

Here are a few Pests and Diseases to watch out for even in Winter.

• Downy Mildew and Black spot on your Winter Pansies.
• Watch out for Crown rot and Brown rots (Sclerotinia) on your died down Perennials especially if you’re on clay or poorly drained soil.
• If you are growing Chrysanthemums check them regularly for signs of White Rust
• Grey mould or Botrytis can be problematic in wet weather especially on your Winter hardy Cyclamen
• Put grease bands around the trunks of your fruit trees to prevent moth damage.
• The grass is still growing as it has been so mild so if you are cutting your grass don’t forget to raise your mower by one notch so as not to chew up your lawns.

I would also like to take this opportunity to say come down to the garden centre and see our range of gifts in our shop also we have a unique selection of houseplants if your looking for that unusual gift for Christmas.

And don’t forget to if you would like to make your own Xmas wreath we are running workshops here at Thorngrove in December so book your place today!