If you’re a keen gardener, you will still be out in the garden regardless of the slow down for the autumn and winter months and the colder weather coming in. If you’re a vegetable gardener in particular, there is still a lot to be done.Now is the ideal time to consider planting broad beans, which if you decide on planting should be just about ready to harvest in late spring. If you decide on planting now, you may well find they avoid being subject to blight or the dreaded black fly. Ideally, they need to be sown in milder dry weather, if the soil is wet and heavy the seeds could rot. In well drained, sheltered soil you will find they will thrive and a perfect remedy to overcome the onset of early frosts and for protection through the winter months is the use of a garden fleece.
A garden fleece will offer frost protection from the worst of the winter elements whilst allowing plants to develop beneath them. Made from a breathable weatherproof lightweight material they will provide a protected insulated environment for plants.
If you are feeling a little more cosmopolitan, November is a great time to plant garlic cloves for harvesting next summer. Ideally buy bulbs from seed merchants which are virus free and bred for local growing. If not, you can sow shop bought garlic, but the results may prove a little more hit and miss. If the weather is mild, plant out in prepared ground and cover to protect from the worst of the weather. If you are concerned about the weather being a little too harsh, you could plant in trays and set out the baby plants next spring.
It is worth remembering that if a particularly dry period is encountered, you will need to water the garlic seeds, as the cloves need to swell to result in a good crop the following summer.
Other jobs which can be done around the garden in November include collecting autumn leaves from lawns (a lawn vacuum makes short work of this task) and borders and composting them. Moving and transplanting shrubs which have outgrown their original position and pruning rambling roses which have flowered.If you are mainly a vegetable gardener, then you will want to consider preparing the soil ready for next spring. If you are looking to keep warm, then get the beds not in use turned over and mulched accordingly with manure and compost. For those that are in use, get the garden tools out and in-between growing crops to make sure there are no weeds. Collect all vegetable refuse and dispose of to the compost heap. Don’t allow it to rot near growing plants.
You still have time to plant trees and shrubs around the garden. Do so now before any frost sets in, frost protection jackets are ideal if you are concerned for any newly bedded in trees or shrubs.
November is a busy time in the garden, as with any other time. Wrap up well, enjoy the changing weather, and keep a warm pot of coffee nearby to enjoy as you work.
The mentioned above are available from the following:
Leaf Vacuum www.mowermagic.co.uk
Garlic Bulbs www.thompson-morgan.com
Compost Bin www.wigglywigglers.co.uk
For more information on composting:
Checkout www.gardenorganic.org.uk
