November Gardening To-Do List
Sweep up fallen leaves and tidy borders.
Leaves are changing to those glorious shades of warm reds, browns, and oranges. As beautiful as they are to look at, those fallen crispy leaves can cause several issues in the garden if they are not maintained. Avoid the inevitable mulch by giving your garden regular sweeps and clearing up the leaves. Don’t forget to check your borders and flower beds for fallen leaves too.Cover your less hardy plants with protective fleece.
Not all your garden plants will have the natural benefit of being hardy to colder weather. Make sure to protect your vulnerable varieties using some fleece this winter. As the temperature starts to drop, the fleece will keep your plants nice and warm. Fleece will also help to protect your plants against harsher weather such as wind and hail.Prune apple and pear trees.
Keep your apple and pear trees in their best condition by pruning them this month. Not only will they look tidier but removing dead or broken branches will actually improve the quality of your fruit trees. Pruning will help to improve the tree strength whilst encouraging new shoots to grow in the following season. November to March is the best time of the year for fruit tree pruning to be carried out as the trees will be in their dormant stage.Spray fruit trees with a winter wash.
Keep the aphids at bay this winter by spraying your fruit trees with a reliable winter wash. The spray contains a mixture of plant oils which can then be diluted with water before applying to your trees. By treating them in this way, you will help remove debris and reduce any fungal spores. Spraying will also help to rid your trees of pests and aphids, providing the tree with a much healthier start to the upcoming season.Make sure outdoor pots and containers are raised off the ground.
Elevating your plant pots from the ground slightly allows for more effective drainage for the soil. If your plants become oversaturated, it will make them vulnerable to harmful rot and mildew. This build-up of mildew can also stain the patio or surface beneath them. Pot feet are an excellent way to give your potted plants a safe and quick lift. Creating a space for air to circulate beneath them will improve the overall health and increase the life expectancy of your outdoor plants.Dig over the veggie patch.
Once all your delicious homegrown vegetables have been harvested and enjoyed, it’s time to tidy up the vegetable patch. Clear out any old growth and dig down deep to overturn the soil, making sure to remove roots or stems along the way. Break up the soil and try to sift out the stones and debris where possible. Over the upcoming months, try to keep on top of any sprouting weeds and nip them in the bud.Clean out bird boxes and put out fresh food.
Once you are sure that your nesting boxes are uninhabited, we would recommend you get them down for a deep clean. This will help to get rid of any harmful bacteria or infestations and make the nest box safer for its next set of fledgelings. Be careful of any unhatched eggs, these may only be legally removed between the months of September and January. Use boiling water to cleanse the box of any unwelcome parasites, then allow it to thoroughly dry before returning. As we enter the colder months, it is important to help the local wild birds by providing plenty of fresh and dry food. Whether you have a bird table or some hanging feeders, every little helps.
