Gardening Calendar - November

Growth may be slowing, but this month still offers plenty of opportunities to maximise the possibilities of winter and get ahead for spring. Pot up your winter containers, plant tulips to give yourself the best chance of a glorious display and ensure that you consider the birds who may struggle now the temperatures are decreasing.

Tender plants will need protecting from the cold and winter weather. Move plants into the greenhouse, or into a sheltered spot, but if you can’t, it is worth wrapping tender plants with garden fleece.

November is the ideal month to plant Tulips and other Spring bulbs plant now for a colourful spring display. Choose from short varieties for pots, taller stems for borders or small-bloomed species for naturalising in lawns. Why not add some spring bulbs to Winter containers to add a bold splash of colour and extend the flowering period.

Raise containers onto pot feet to prevent waterlogging in wet weather and prevent the pots cracking in freezing conditions.

Rake and sweep up the leaves from deciduous trees and shrubs as they fall and use them to make fantastic home-made garden compost and soil-improving leaf mould.

Cut back the yellowing foliage of herbaceous perennial plants, and lift and divide overcrowded clumps to maintain their vigour.

Apply grease bands to the trunks of fruit trees to prevent wingless female winter moths climbing the trunks and laying their eggs in the branches.

Keep planting onion, shallot, and garlic sets. Ensuring you dig over heavy soils adding organic matter before planting.

Spread well-rotted manure across the surface of your vegetable beds to rot down over winter to give a rich soil for Spring.

Put out bird food to encourage winter birds into the garden. Feed regularly so that birds will not waste vital energy visiting your garden when there is no food. Keep bird baths clean and topped up. Clean feeders regularly and remove spoiled food. Leave healthy seedheads and hollow stems where they offer winter food or shelter.