November Gardening Tips
You may think that you can neglect your garden in the winter months as the nights get darker and the days get colder, however there are still plenty of activities to be done in the garden. At Gravelmaster we see winter gardens to be just as beautiful if not more beautiful than summer gardens. Additionally the more you prepare now the less you will have to prepare next year!
To prepare your borders for the winter months add mulch around plants after freezing. Mulch can help protect your plants from sudden changes in temperature which can cause frost heave. Frost heaving can cause the roots of a plant to break off which will expose a plants crown and its remaining roots to freezing temperatures. Most plants die during their first winter so it is essential you take action prior to a drop in temperature.
Depending on which plants you have specific action may be required, however a general rule of thumb is to wrap plants with protective material. The kind of protective material which will be suitable include fleece, hessian, straw and polystyrene these will all help insulate plants. Close monitoring will be required however if you do decide to wrap plants as there is a chance that the plants could sweat leading to rotting. Remove the protection if we have a dry spell then replace again when you see necessary.
We hope that these tips have aided you in your November gardening activities. Follow us on twitter @Gravel_Master where we regularly share gardening tips and tricks. You can also like us on Facebook to receive exclusive discounts and offers.
Tidy/Prepare Borders:
After a fantastic summer of stunning plants in the garden around November time all that’s left are the soggy remains of the once beautiful plants. These plants can be cut back and put on a compost heap. Also make sure you clear away any fallen Autumn leaves as leaving these near plants can attract pests which could leave your plants vulnerable during winter months.To prepare your borders for the winter months add mulch around plants after freezing. Mulch can help protect your plants from sudden changes in temperature which can cause frost heave. Frost heaving can cause the roots of a plant to break off which will expose a plants crown and its remaining roots to freezing temperatures. Most plants die during their first winter so it is essential you take action prior to a drop in temperature.
Planting:
September right through to November is the optimum time to plant your bulbs in preparation for next Spring. November is the last month before the frost kicks in, read our guide on tips to planting bulbs in preparation for next Spring for full instructions on planting.Prepare Soil for next year:
To prepare your soil for next year you need to prepare the soil early meaning you will save time next Spring. Continue digging your soil until it becomes hard, use compost, mulch, manure and any other products you see fit this will help replenish the goodness in the soil. For optimum soil preparation you can add a layer of compost or mulch to the top of the soil and then use a spade or fork to work the products in. This will help nourish the soil, however does require a fair bit of hard work nevertheless you will reap the benefits next year.Protect your plants:
During winter months many plants will be left vulnerable to the deadly frost and excessively wet weather. Continue to water your plants until you see fit especially if we have had a dry spot during the winter, as plants still require nourishment. Depending on your location this will impact the action you need to take in order to protect plants. If you live in a residential area you may not need to take much action, however if you live in the open countryside and suffer from harsh winter action will be necessary.Depending on which plants you have specific action may be required, however a general rule of thumb is to wrap plants with protective material. The kind of protective material which will be suitable include fleece, hessian, straw and polystyrene these will all help insulate plants. Close monitoring will be required however if you do decide to wrap plants as there is a chance that the plants could sweat leading to rotting. Remove the protection if we have a dry spell then replace again when you see necessary.
We hope that these tips have aided you in your November gardening activities. Follow us on twitter @Gravel_Master where we regularly share gardening tips and tricks. You can also like us on Facebook to receive exclusive discounts and offers.