Gardening Tips for November
THE VILLAGE GARDENER
Must Do Gardening Tips for November
What golf and gardening star Leslie Sherard will prioritise this month
- Newly potted Japanese maple must be kept in a sheltered spot over winter.
- Do not allow fallen rose leaves to stay on the soil, or blackspot will spread.
- Great time to buy bare root shrubs and hedging at lower prices.
- One still has time to pot up tulips.
- Must send off for seed catalogues.
Sandra Anstee of the famous gardening dynasty has some thoughts on patio gardening.
- Always buy the biggest pot or container you can afford, they won’t dry out so quickly.
- Keep pots off the ground during the Winter months to prevent waterlogging.
- Next Spring use cardboard and paper in the base of containers for runner beans to help retain the moisture.
- If you’re going to grow brassicas give them plenty of room to mature.
- Don’t buy tulip shaped pots as they are so difficult to empty if there is a big root ball.
Check For Wildlife
Please check for wildlife, especially hedgehogs before lighting your bonfire. The best way to avoid harming any wildlife is to build it on the day. If you do find a hedgehog, using gloves remove it with as much nesting material as possible and place in a high sided cardboard box and place well away from any heat or activity. The next day after things have cooled, place the hedgehog as near as you can to it’s previous home. Not all people show enough care when it comes to looking after our wildlife. When Archie Condick was asked what he would do if he found a hedgehog in the bonfire, he said,” take off the foil and give it another thirty minutes”. Only joking, he said leave the foil on.
Lawn mowers
There are always things to get on with even at this time of year. Mr Robbins will always make sure his lawn mower goes in for a service around now, as come Spring everyone sends their machine in and there is usually quite a wait for it to be returned. All of us with petrol run equipment need to be aware of the new fuel at filling stations. E10 is the standard fuel. E5 fuel has more plant based ethanol in it and you may need a fuel stabilizer to get it to work in your machines. It also has a shorter shelf life.
Young Shrubs
High winds and wet weather can mean a torrid time for young shrubs, especially those in pots. Even when you have cut them back to avoid them being damaged by the elements. Wind rock can move the main stem of the plant where it meets the soil, creating a gap where water can puddle and as the weather gets colder this can turn to ice, which can do irreparable damage to the crown of the plant. Prevent this by firming the soil around the stem and add soil if there is a dip.
Alpine Plants
Alpine plants do not appreciate being soaked continuously and will need a sheltered spot in wet weather. Joyce Hoy is the go-to lady on looking after alpines as she is with most things to do with gardening.
Pruning
Still busy on the allotments, where warden Colin is waiting for the first frost to lift his parsnips and Herbie is starting to make a raised bed to help his poor back. From now until February you can prune your apple and pear trees. Apple trees really benefit from an uncluttered form, so take out any diseased or crossing branches. Don’t prune plum trees now as they are susceptible to the silver leaf fungus. You need to wait until mid Summer to prune them.
Take care and happy gardening