November in your garden
November in your garden
"Dull November brings the blast......then the leaves are swirling fast"
The days have become shorter, the colours fade in the garden as Mother Nature starts her hibernation. There are still some wonderful autumnal days to venture out and get some jobs done.
The Kitchen Garden
Veg
- Harvest the remaining leeks.
- Start planning your vegetable patch for the coming year and ensure good crop rotation. This will help to prevent a build up of pests and diseases in one particular area of your garden. Vegetables may be grouped into the following main categories, brassicas (cabbage, kale, cauliflower, brussel sprouts), legumes (peas and beans), roots(carrots, parsnips, turnips, radishes) and others (tomatoes, potatoes, onions). Try to ensure that the same group of crops is not sown in the same place for more than one season.
- If days are dry, dig over your veg patch and incorporate farmyard or poultry manure. This will ensure a good breakdown of organic matter over the winter months.
- Check your garden tools and wash any clay/soil from them. Consider a light cleaning with wire wool to remove rust particles and apply some lubricant with a cloth to protect over winter months.
Herbs
- Move herbs close to the house or onto a warm windowsill indoors for convenience.
- Consider drying bunches of your favourite herbs indoors, ready for use at Christmas.
Fruit
- Tidy any strawberry beds, remove dead foliage and surplus runners.
- Consider planting an apple or pear tree now. There are many varieties that don't take up much space in the garden.
Greenhouse/polytunnel
- Water your winter onions and garlic and keep weed-free.
- Harvest the remaining peas and peppers.
- Add organic matter to beds to ensure good breakdown over winter.
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