November

The Garden Revealed

Herbaceous plants die down & many trees and shrubs shed their leaves in autumn revealing the backbone of the garden. This makes the evergreens stand out even more than usual and conifers, bush ivy and bamboos provide an attractive green oasis in the garden. If you find that your garden has too little greenery and lacks winter structure then plant evergreens now for year round interest. You don't have to stick to green either, there are shades from yellow to blue to be found in conifers and heathers or try a Pyracantha smothered in berries or a variegated holly with foliage in green and gold which is great for Christmas displays.

You may also find that you want to brighten up the patio or areas that would have housed pots during the summer. You can reuse these pots to provide some winter colour by insulating with bubble-wrap, in order to prevent the plants from freezing, then filling with fresh soil and hardy plants. Remember to keep the drainage holes clear so that the water can escape. There is a wide range of plants and bulbs to choose from including winter-flowering heathers, pansies or cyclamen for colour and ‘miniature' evergreens, potted ferns, ornamental grasses & herbs to give structure. You can also use plants with berries or coloured foliage for colour such as Cotoneaster, Euonymus, Gaultheria, holly, Leucothoe, Pieris, Skimmia & silver leaf Cineraria.

Planting

Now is the time to plant bare-root fruit, roses and ornamental trees - they need planting in their final position as soon as they arrive. If the ground is waterlogged or frozen, heel plants in by digging a trench elsewhere and covering the roots. We have an exclusive offer this winter of ‘The Lakeland Rose' as a bare root plant. The great charm of this rose is to be found in the simplicity of its scented, apple-blossom blooms. It has an easy-growing habit, healthy foliage and abundant blooming producing two main flushes per season, once in early summer, and again in autumn. You will also find the new stock of container grown Roses coming into the Garden Centre from October.

Beeches are best planted and replanted when the leaves have gone golden yellow. That is when the chance of good development is greatest. It is crucial for that development that a particular soil fungus is attached to the roots. So make sure that you buy beeches when they are still (entrenched) in the soil. That offers the greatest likelihood that the roots are in good condition and that fungus is present.

• Reduce the risk of fungal diseases by planting tulips this month and don't forget to buy your summer-flowering bulbs to create a magnificent display next year.
• Plant shallot sets now & continue planting garlic in the ground or in pots if it is too wet.

Maintenance

Many standard roses have two budding (graft) points: one just above the roots which is protected from frost by a covering layer of soil, and one at the top where the (flower-bearing) branches attach. Ideally pull a black plastic bag (with holes) over the crown and tie around the trunk.

Protect Perennials - There are some herbaceous perennials which are not tough enough to survive our winters outdoors because they originate from milder climate zones. They especially do not cope with soil which remains wet for too long whilst temperatures are too low. Some examples are cultivars from the Chrysanthemum Maximum Group, Helianthus, Acanthus, Lavatera, Lithodora, Gunnera and Agapanthus. This list is not complete and it is best to refer to the plant label for information. A layer of straw can help, or cover with garden fleece and then remove it again when the temperatures climb a little. Good drainage is also important. Many plants can rot in soil which is cold and wet for an extended period, even though they might tolerate lower air temperatures for a short while. Try placing glass or acrylic sheets over sensitive rockery plants.

• Put out food and water for birds to help them get through the winter.
• Rake up leaves from the lawn and bag them or stack them to make leaf mould.
• Raise containers onto pot feet to prevent waterlogging.
• Net all brassicas to protect against damage from pigeons.
• Place cloches over any tender plants or herbs that like to remain dry at the roots over winter such as oregano and basil.
• Continue to harvest leeks, parsnips, kale & Brussels sprouts.
• Check tree ties to make sure they are not too tight and check tree guards are in place against rabbits.
• Spray peaches to protect against peach leaf curl.
• Keep overwintering cuttings of tender perennials just moist and maintain good ventilation to avoid fungal problems.
• Lift & divide large rhubarb crowns to increase stock.
• Insulate vulnerable container plants that are remaining outside over winter.
• Keep watering recently planted evergreens during dry spells.
• Check greenhouses for pests & diseases before bringing in plants to overwinter. Keep greenhouses & conservatories ventilated to reduce humidity & fungal diseases.

Pruning

• Reduce borderline-hardy plants such as Perovskia and Penstemon by a third. Complete their pruning in spring.
• Prune roses on exposed sites to prevent wind rock.
• Prune Acers, vines, birches, laburnum and any other plants that 'bleed' badly in spring.

Ponds

Drain water pumps and pipe work to avoid freezing - If the pond freezes over and remains frozen for some time, gas which is released from the muddy bottom can collect under the ice. At the same time the oxygen-rich air in the water is gradually used up. This can create an unhealthy situation for the plants and animals which spend the winter just above the bottom of the pond. You can easily avoid this by placing an ice preventer in the pond to ensure a good gas exchange with the outdoor air.