November Garden Notes

Almost everywhere in the garden, nature is switching to autumn and winter mode. If you are fortunate, you may still have some flowering salvia and fuchsia which are good at resisting the initial cooler nights of November. Cut them back when they are unsightly and they will lay dormant until throwing out new shoots in April next year.

It’s best now to bring in any tender plants into a greenhouse, conservatory or onto a windowsill. Alternatively, wind around with fleece if and position close to a wall for added protection. Phormiums and cordyline can provide excellent interest and colour during the winter, But they hate snow – it will rot them from the centre. When snow is forecast, Tie up the stems and ideally fleece around the whole plant. Bulbs will withstand the coldest temperatures as will wallflowers, winter pansies and violas. They may look sad for a while but warmer weather will always revive them.

After a rough summer for lawns, they have been catching up this autumn and it may be one of those seasons when there is no “last cut” until the end of the year. If it’s dry enough to mow and not frosty, then mowing will always tidy a lawn of leaves and other debris and keep t looking at its best. On the subject of leaves, leaf mulch is an excellent soil improver so it’s a great idea, if you have the space, to prioritise a small corner of the garden for a succession of compost bins. A garden shredder will speed up the composting by at least a year.

It's soon time for Christmas trees. They seem to sell earlier every year, so I recommend buying in late November or early December and keep it outside in a bucket of water and exposed to rain and frost until you can’t resist starting Christmas inside your home !

David Hogg

Buckland Nurseries