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Garden jobs for November: what to do in the garden
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| This month | This month in November |
November is often grey, wet and windy, with frosts becoming regular in most of the UK and Ireland. Inland and northern gardens can see temperatures dip to -5°C or below on clear nights, while sheltered city and coastal gardens may barely freeze. Most plants are heading into dormancy, which makes this the start of the bare-root season, one of the most economical ways to buy roses, fruit, trees and hedging. On dry days there is plenty to do; on wet days, stay off the soil to avoid compacting it and plan next year’s garden instead.
Flowers and borders
Now is the ideal time to plant tulips. Planting them in colder soil reduces the risk of tulip fire disease. Set the bulbs about 15–20cm deep, which helps them return in following years, and in containers you can pack them closely for a bold display.
Bare-root roses are available from now until early spring. Soak the roots in a bucket of water for a couple of hours before planting, dig a hole wide enough to spread the roots out, and set the graft union just below soil level. Firm in, water and mulch. It’s also a good time to move deciduous shrubs that are in the wrong place, while they are dormant. Our step-by-step guide to planting bare-root trees and shrubs covers depth, staking and first-year watering.
Cut back perennials that have turned brown and soggy, such as hostas and delphiniums, to keep slugs from overwintering in the debris, but leave seed heads and grasses that still have structure. Mulch borders with a 5cm layer of compost, well-rotted manure or leaf mould, keeping it away from the crowns of plants. Protect the crowns of borderline-hardy plants, such as agapanthus in the ground, penstemons and salvias in cold gardens, with a dry mulch of bracken, straw or bark.
Vegetables
Plant garlic if you haven’t already, as it needs a period of cold to form good bulbs. In milder areas, sow hardy broad beans for an early crop. Harvest parsnips, leeks, Brussels sprouts and winter cabbages as needed; parsnips are said to taste sweeter after a frost. Cover winter brassicas with netting against pigeons. Clear away yellowing leaves from sprouts and cabbages to reduce disease. Spread compost or manure on empty beds so worms can work it in over winter.
Fruit
Start winter pruning apple and pear trees once the leaves have fallen. Remove dead, diseased or crossing branches first, then thin out congested growth to let light and air into the centre. Don’t prune plums or cherries now, as the risk of silver leaf disease is higher in winter. Plant bare-root fruit trees, currants, gooseberries and raspberries. Check stored apples and remove any that are starting to rot.
Lawns
Give the lawn a last high cut if it’s still growing and the ground is dry. Keep raking leaves off the surface. Avoid walking on frosted or waterlogged grass, as this damages the blades and compacts the soil. This is a good time to clean, sharpen and service the mower before storing it.
Wildlife
Birds need high-energy food now: offer sunflower hearts, fat balls without nets and seed mixes, and keep a shallow dish of unfrozen water available. Clean feeders regularly to prevent disease. Leave stacks of leaves and logs in quiet corners for overwintering hedgehogs, toads and insects. Holly and ivy berries are important food sources for blackbirds, thrushes and visiting winter migrants.
Indoors and under cover
Raise containers onto pot feet so they drain freely and don’t freeze to the ground. Wrap terracotta pots and tender plants in hessian or fleece during cold snaps. Check stored dahlia tubers and bulbs for rot, and ventilate greenhouses on mild days to prevent grey mould. Force bulbs such as hyacinths for indoor colour, and keep houseplants away from cold windows and hot radiators.
Plants looking good this month
Brighten November with the winter flowers of viburnum tinus and the red berries of skimmia and holly. The stems of red-barked dogwood begin to glow once their leaves fall, and the white trunks of silver birch stand out in low winter light. Early camellias, especially autumn-flowering sasanqua types, may also be in bloom.
Looking back or ahead? See October jobs or move on to December jobs.
From the plant finder
In flower in November
Good time to plant
Due for pruning
Grow your own in November
Sow now
Plant out
Ready to harvest
Problems to watch for in November
Spotted something else? Diagnose it by symptom.