John’s November jobs for the garden…

After the clocks have changed it really feels like we’re falling into winter, moving as nature intends alongside the plant world. It’s lovely to see the winter light shining off the berries on Holly bushes and other plants like Skimmia and Cotoneaster. Not only are these plants great for interest in our gardens, but they act as important reserves of food for our feathered friends when the temperatures drop below freezing, too.

It's a good time of year to make preparations for the Winter ahead, lifting any tender plants from the ground like Dahlias and putting them somewhere cool, dark and dry. Cutting back borders near the home to help tidy, but don’t forget to leave some plants to their own devices to help overwintering insects and creepy crawlies, as they’ll help you against slugs and green, white and black fly next year.

Here’s what you can do this month…

• Lift Dahlia tubers and store them in a cool, dark, and dry place. Pot them up in late March.

• Leave seed heads on some plants like Lythrum, Phlomis, and Astilbe for winter interest in the frosts.

• Dig over clay soils on dry days, as the frost will help break up the clay.

• Keep gathering leaves and pile them up to make perfect compost down the line. This is also good for your garden’s wildlife and eco-system.

• Last cut of the grass is due, and then keep it high for winter.

• Check any large flowerpots are slightly off the ground to allow them to drain properly.

• Plant evergreen shrubs to help provide shelter for wildlife around the garden, as well as giving colour and interest.

• Position bird feeders and ensure they are topped up over winter. This is very important when food is sparse.

• Plant your spring bulbs, a perfect opportunity to add easy spring colour into your gardens, and much cheaper than buying the same plants in spring.

• Clean your tools now they are getting less use.