November brings specific tasks for our gardens as it is crucial time to prepare for the colder weather while also enjoying the remaining autumnal beauty. We discuss activities essential for maintaining garden health during the approaching winter and ensuring a vibrant garden when spring arrives. Read our blog to discover how to care for our outdoor spaces during this transitional season.
If you haven’t already done so, plant tulip bulbs in pots or the ground to flower in spring. We have several varieties available to buy either loose or in pre-packs along with other spring favourites like daffodils. Hurry though as the bulbs need to be in the ground by the end of the month.
If you Dahlias or Canna Lilies in your garden you will need to either give them a thick mulch of bark (think of a mulch as a think layer of organic matter that acts like a blanket) Or dig them up, shake off the soil from the roots and tubers/rhizomes and then store them in a dry dark place over the winter before re-planting again next spring.
Start by inspecting for any dead, diseased, or damaged branches. These can be identified by their lack of foliage, discoloured or withered appearance, or signs of pest infestation. Using sharp and clean pruning tools – such as pruning shears or loppers – carefully remove these problematic branches.
Beyond simply removing damaged parts, pruning also offers an opportunity to improve the overall shape and structure of your trees and shrubs – think of it as a haircut trim!
We have already seen a few cold nights, make sure you have some bubble wrap as home (we sell it by the metre) to wrap around pots in the garden. Not only will this protect the actual pot, but it will keep your plant’s roots and the soil warm. It is also a good idea to raise your pots off the ground using pot feet to prevent the soil becoming waterlogged.
November is a good time to tidy up your veg garden. Remove and clean stakes from summer crops that have finished and store them in a dry place for use again next year. Lay straw or cardboard on the beds of root vegetables to reduce frost damage.
Plant bare root raspberry canes between anew and March. Ensure you enrich the soil before planting with a well rotted manure or other organic matter and a slow release fertiliser.
You may want to pot up your garden herbs and bring them indoors on a well lit windowsill for the winter period.
If you plan on having a bonfire always check piles do not contain hibernating toads or hedgehogs before you light them.
Leave the seed heads on plants like grasses ad perennials as they provide food for birds and insects.
Put out feed for your garden birds; a feeder of peanuts and one of seed should attract and help the majority of garden birds.
Clyst St. Mary
Sidmouth Road, Clyst St. Mary,
Exeter, Devon, EX5 1AE.
Telephone: 01392 876281
Email: gardening@stbridgetnurseries.co.uk
OPENING HOURS
Monday to Saturday 9.00am to 5.00pm*
Sundays 10.00am to 4.00pm*
Bank Holidays 9.00am to 5.00pm Closed (25/26 Dec)
*Cafe open until 4.30pm each day and until 3.30pm on Sundays.
