Garden jobs for November

GARDEN JOBS

Here are some of the top jobs to be getting on with in the garden this month...

1. Clear fallen leaves This isn’t just to keep the garden tidy, wet leaves can be slippery on paths, and leave your lawns soggy and brown. It’s also especially important to clear leaves from ponds to ensure water is healthy for fish and other wildlife. Leaves can be gathered up to make leafmould.

2. Raise containers up onto feet to prevent waterlogging In wet weather, raise pots up off the ground on ‘feet’ or similar to keep the bottom of the pot out of the water and prevent compost freezing.

3. Plant tulip bulbs for a spring display Tulips are amongst the most popular of bulbs, valued for their brilliant flower colours and shapes. Plant in autumn for a show of spring flowers. Choose from a large range to suit the situation.

4. Prune roses to prevent wind-rock Shrub and bush roses can grow very tall by autumn; cut back stems by between a third and half their height. This will stop the plants swaying in the wind and becoming loose in the soil. 5. Plant out winter bedding Combining it with evergreens ensures good colour and interest throughout autumn and beyond, and by limiting your colour palette (purple, white and green is a good mix) it looks a bit more contemporary.

6. Cover brassicas with netting if pigeons are a problem. Pigeons peck at leaves, tearing them, often just leaving the stalks and larger leaf veins behind. To avoid accidentally trapping or injuring birds and other animals, always ensure netting is kept taut, and check regularly for holes 7. Insulate tender plants from frost When it is not practical to lift or move tender plants, the best way to protect them from the winter cold and wet is to wrap them up. Get this done when the first frost warnings of the autumn come, usually around now. Bubblewrap works well.

Now is the time to plant out winter bedding

8. Lift and store dahlias, cannas and tuberous bedding begonias Alternatively, in milder areas with good drainage, you can protect the tubers by covering them with an extra thick mulch - (there is a risk your plants will succumb to long periods of cold/wet though.)

9. Tidy up stakes and other supports as late flowering herbaceous plants die down for winter. Leave attractive seedheads in situ where possible as they look attractive covered in frost and provide overwintering spots for insects like ladybirds.

10. Feed the birds In winter provide foodstuffs with a high fat content to help keep birds warm. Feed regularly too so they won’t waste vital energy visiting your garden when there is no food.