Your garden in November will be more demanding than previous months. The temperature has dropped and the weather becomes harsher and less forgiving on plants and flowers. This month, use your time outside to protect your garden from the November frost and keep your garden looking lovely for the months to follow.
The colder days mean that your garden is more susceptible to frost which is a stress you can do without. Make this month easier for yourself by getting organised. To protect your flowers from frost, cover them with fleece or cloches. If they are growing in pots, wrap insulation around the pots to protect the plant roots.
It's not just plants that will need help with insulation. If you want to save yourself from more hassle, examine outdoor taps for signs of frost damage and wrap them in insulating material. Finally, visit the greenhouse where you should add insulation to the structure to help keep an even temperature.
Although things are slowing down in your garden, activity is still rife due to the wildlife that likes to visit. Slugs and snails can withstand the cold weather but will most likely be hiding in the depths of the soil. Doff Slug & Snail Killer will kill slugs that make an appearance and reduce the damage caused by them.
However, your garden is more at risk from bigger pests such as rabbits and foxes. Protect your plants from foraging rabbits by covering them with fleece or using chicken wire to create a barrier. Another way to deter wildlife is to use Defenders Fox and Wildlife Repellent. The formulation works by confusing their sense of taste and smell and discourages them from disturbing your plants and flowers.
Try to encourage more birds to your garden by putting up bird feeders. Birds are a useful addition to the garden as they will feed on pesky insects; an effective and simple way to protect your plants from insect damage!
Just because plant growth has slowed down doesn't mean that you can't add to your garden. Now is a good time to plant bare root roses as they have time to establish strong roots. When planted earlier, bare root roses have more time to adjust and adapt than established roses in pots. However, be careful if replacing older roses with new bare root roses - you must remove all the old soil. If old soil is left in-situ, the granules will contaminate the new roses and cause them to sicken.
Use the cold weather to your advantage by planting tulips this month. As the cold and frost fights disease within the soil, tulips have a better chance of surviving disease due to the colder weather.
Remember to check your tender spring flowering bulbs. If they have managed to grow slightly, move them into the greenhouse to keep them protected and to continue their growing process.
Remember to clean out old pots and containers! Doing this now will save time in the spring and will also prevent pests from settling inside.
Remember to check on your greenhouse plants regularly. Although you have put in insulation, you will also need to ensure to keep windows open to aid ventilation and air flow. Always try to keep an even balance!
November's cold and dark days mean less time to spend in your garden so this month, you will have to be strategic when it comes to your to-do list. Protecting your garden from the winter is paramount to ensuring healthy and strong plants. You will be glad you completed these jobs now so that you can enjoy spending time in your garden in the sunnier months to come.