Things to do in November

 

Now that the weather has turned and the leaves have begun to fall, you may have noticed that many tender plants are past their best, however lookout for the Cyclamen around campus as they are in full bloom under the trees and sheltered places. 

The gardeners on campus are now busy collecting the leaves and removing them from the walkways, cycle tracks and the large amount of grassed areas throughout the campus grounds.

This is done primarily to make sure that the paths are safe and slip free but also to prevent damage to the grass as being buried under a layer of leaves will turn the grass yellow due to a lack of light and may also harbour disease.

If you have a large volume of leaves at home you could use this to make a very valuable resource called leaf mould or simply just add them to your compost heap. Be aware of any disease on the trees which could spread these should not be composted and should be disposed of alternatively. 

Many herbaceous perennial plants would benefit from the tops removing just above the soil.

Remove any weeds in beds and apply some mulch to protect roots and to prevent the growth of new weeds. 

November is the ideal time to plant Tulip bulbs. Check them for any decay and damage prior to planting and make sure you plant the bulbs 3 times the length of the bulb.

If you are planting them in pots, it is better to use a mix of soil and grit to improve drainage as bulbs do not like to sit in water.

If you are feeling creative you can try lasagne planting which involves planting bulbs at different levels depending on which bulb flowers and in what order. 

For example plant Tulip bulbs towards the bottom of the tub as they are usually the last spring bulb to flower. Cover them in a layer of soil then plant another layer of bulbs such as Daffodils. Cover these with another layer before planting crocus and the last bulbs which are the earlier flowering Snowdrops. This will mean you will have a constant floral display throughout the spring.

Most garden centres will now be fully stocked with winter plants that provide colour throughout the winter months. Consider planting winter pansies, polyanthus and primroses in your borders, planters and window boxes. 

Between November and March most shrubs and trees will be dormant so it's a good time for planting. You can order bare root plants from garden centres, nursery's and even mail order which are all considerably cheaper than potted up versions. When you receive your plant it's important that you hydrate them in some water for 30 minutes or so prior to planting or if you are not ready to plant, heal them into some spare ground. 

Unfortunately due to the amount of rain we have had over the past few weeks lawns may have become waterlogged and are best left alone, do what you can to avoid walking on the grass to prevent any damage, dips or compaction being created in the soil. 

Veg

If you have an empty veg bed take the opportunity to cover it in well rotted organic matter to break down over the colder months releasing valuable nutrients which will improve the soil's fertility. It's a great place to put your leaves and let the worms do the work too.

Tools

Use the winter months to check over and repair your garden tools. Get your petrol machines serviced ready for next year.