As temperatures drop and the days get shorter, November marks a key time in a gardener’s calendar. While some may be ready to close their gardens for winter, others are looking for the opportunity to start their spring preparations. It’s the perfect opportunity to plan ahead with planting for the following year, as well as finish up any final garden maintenance tasks left over from the summer.
To ensure your garden stays healthy all year round, Paul Parker, gardening expert at plants and bulbs specialists J.Parker’s, has shared four jobs to complete this month. This includes planting and sowing.
Plant bare-root fruit trees and roses
The expert explained: “November is a great time for planting any loose-rooted plants such as fruits and roses, because they are still dormant and the cool and moist autumn conditions help the roots to establish.
“However, if the ground is frozen or waterlogged, do not plant your bare root varieties and wait for it to dry up.” Larger fruit trees may need to be tied to a stake to prevent wind damage, and it’s important to always tie the tree to the stake low down so the tree can move in the wind.
Start sowing sweet peas
If you are growing sweet peas from seed, you can start sowing them now or in spring. This makes November a great time to get them started, although make sure they are kept somewhere where they aren’t going to be affected by frost.
The expert noted: “Sweet peas are easy to grow. Simply sow them in pots or trays and use a peat-free compost. By May, once the risk of frost has passed, you can plant out your sweet peas in your borders or containers.”
Prepare perennials for winter
The expert said: “November is the ideal time for the mulching of hardy perennial plants that may be affected by heavy frosts.
“A protective covering with organic material, such as peat or straw, will help prevent moisture loss and will stop the roots from freezing. You may also want to move some tender plants into a cool, sheltered location to prevent damage over the winter.”
Start growing amaryllis
With bold colours and trumpet-shaped flowers, amaryllis make a great Christmas gift, or table centrepiece.
If you want it to bloom in time for Christmas, then get started on planting one now.
The expert explained: “Plant in large pots of potting soil and put in a warm place like near a radiator or fireplace, watering sparingly until the first signs of growth. At around 10cm, move to a reasonably warm part of the house, and it should flower from six to eight weeks of planting.”
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