Our November Gardening Guide

Published

As the crisp autumn days transform into chilly November, it's time for gardeners across England to prepare their outdoor spaces for the winter season. While the trees shed their leaves and the temperature drops, there's still plenty of work to be done in the garden. We will explore some essential gardening tasks for November, including planting bulbs for spring blooms and creating a welcoming habitat for wildlife during the colder months.

Planting Bulbs for Spring

Planting bulbs is perhaps one of the most rewarding gardening jobs to undertake in November. Allowing you to enjoy an array of vibrant blooms when spring arrives. November is the ideal time to plants bulbs such as: daffodils, crocuses, tulips, cyclamens and snowdrops.

When planting you bulbs be sure to remember these key tips:

Choose the right location: Bulbs require a well draining location with ample sunlight. Opt for pots with drainage holes and suitable depth to ensure optimal growth and bloom.
For an impressive spring bloom consider planting bulbs in clusters.
Plant at the right depth: be sure to follow the planting guidelines to get the best results. You can do this using a planting tool like a bulb planter or a trowel with depth markings. A general rule of thumb is to plant bulbs at a depth that is approximately three times the height of the bulb
Create a nutrient rich soil: Enrich your soil with well-rotted composite or shop bought manure to ensure you are giving your bulbs all the nutrients they require. It also helps to improve the soil structure, drainage and foster healthy root growth and water retention.

Planting Winter Hardy Vegetables

The milder temperate of November are great for planting vegetable that thrive the cooler weather weather. This includes garlic, broad beans, winter lettuce varieties ,onions, shallots, kale, and spinach. Planting these in November allows for root establishment during winter, promising harvests in late spring or early summer. To ensure success be sure to prepare the soil with organic matter, and protect seedlings with cloches from the harsh weather.

Pruning and Trimming

November is the ideal time for some slight pruning and trimming. This helps maintain the health of your plants and removed any dead or diseased parts to ensure they survive the winter. The best things to prune in November are:

Deciduous tree and shrubs: remove any dead damaged or diseased branches.
Hedges: Give your hedges a final trim to keep them neat and tidy through the winter.
Roses: Cut back long stems to prevent wind damage.

Tidying up The Garden

With less work to do in the garden this time of year, it is the perfect time to focus on some garden upkeep. As deciduous trees and shrubs shed their leaves, it's important to keep up with your garden tidying. Regularly rake up fallen leaves and compost them or use them as mulch. This prevents your garden from becoming waterlogged and helps prevent the spread of diseases and pests.

Preparing For Frost

As the weather decreases in November its important to start preparing for the first frost. Frost can damage the plant cells and tissues, which can lead to wilting, browning, and potential long-term harm to vulnerable plants. Begin by protecting vulnerable plants:

Move tender plants indoors: If you have potted plants that are sensitive to frost, bring them inside or into a greenhouse.
Cover delicate plants: Use frost fleece or horticultural fleece to protect plants that can't be moved.
Mulch: Apply a layer of mulch around the base of trees and shrubs to insulate the soil and protect roots from freezing.

Creating a Home For Nature

Winter can be a challenging time for wildlife, to help make a home for nature this winter you can try some of these simple tips:

Bird feeders: Set up bird feeders with a variety of seeds and nuts to attract a diverse range of birds.
Nesting boxes: Install nesting boxes for birds and bats to provide them with shelter.
Insect habitats: Build or buy insect hotels to give bugs a place to hibernate.
Leave seed heads and berries: Don't be too quick to deadhead your plants; many seed heads and berries provide essential food for birds.
Create a bug snug: create a structure using 3 poles (you can use anything straight and long e.g. hazel or bamboo ) secure your three poles to create a pyramids structure. Collect any garden cuttings, leaves, lawn or other garden mater and build layer them on top of each other until you fill your structure. This snug can be as small or large are you would like and is a great way to make a home for nature and make use of your unneeded garden matter.

November is a beauty time of transition for your garden. Where you can enjoy any crops grown earlier in the year. s. By planting bulbs for the future and making your garden a haven for wildlife, you can ensure that your outdoor space remains vibrant and enchanting even in the depths of winter.