There are plenty of vegetable and flower varieties you can be sowing this month for next year. Here are our top recommendations for planting in the month of November… Veg to plant in November… Salad Salad can be sown indoors or in a greenhouse now. Spring Onion Certain spring onion varieties such as ‘performer’ can be sown now for winter and spring crops. They do well in pots, greenhouses and under cloches for protection. First Early Peas First early pea seeds are hardy enough to be sown now for overwintering, and will provide a spring harvest. Pak Choi Pak Choi can be sown now – protect under cloches. Flowers to plant in November… Eryngium Eryngium are a wonderful thistle-like perennials, that are loved by bees. Sow in seed trays to over winter. Bugleweed Bugleweed is a plant native to the UK and loved by pollinators. Sweet Peas Sweet peas are a well-loved and wonderful flower, that can be sown now. Allium Another well-loved and popular plant, that attracts a variety of pollinators. Sow in containers. If you’d like to find out more or have questions then please do come and talk to our experts CONTACT US

There are still a few jobs to be done before you put your garden to bed for the season. Wrap up and get outside to enjoy a bit of exercise and the crisp autumn air. Here’s a summary, but scroll down if you want more information on any of these jobs! In the Vegetable Plot Check stored fruit and veg Tidy strawberry plants Harvest parsnips Keep your eye on weeds! In the Flower Bed Cut back perennials Lift Dahlia tubers Plant trees and shrubs Around the Garden Frost protection Cover compost heap Service lawn mower Keep bird feeders topped up In the vegetable plot Check stored fruit and veg Not strictly in your vegetable plot, but check on any stored fruit and potatoes and remove any that are starting to rot so that they don’t affect the others. Tidy strawberry plants Tidy up strawberry plants by removing dead leaves and any runners. Harvest parsnips Harvest parsnips after the first frost when they will be sweeter. Keep an eye on weeds If we are experiencing mild weather, keep your eye on those annual weeds! In the flower beds Cut back perennials If you like to keep your beds looking neat and tidy, then you may wish to cut back perennials that have finished flowering. However, some have beautiful winter skeletons and seed heads that can add interest to your beds. Lift Dahlias Lift Dahlia tubers to store over the winter months. Cut stems down to the ground after the first frosts have blackened the leaves. If you live in a mild region, or have well drained soil, they can be left in the ground and covered with a deep layer of mulch. If not, use a fork to carefully lift the tubers from the ground. Rinse off any remaining soil and leave them upside down somewhere cool to dry. Then trim off any fine roots, put them in a shallow container of peat-free compost with just their crowns showing. Store somewhere dry, cool and frost free. Plant trees and shrubs Plant trees and shrubs now, whilst the soil is still quite warm, to allow them to settle before spring. Around the garden Frost Protection If you grow exotic plants outside, such as tree ferns and palms, you will need to protect them from frost by wrapping their trunks and crowns in bubble wrap and hessian, or horticultural fleece. Cover your compost heap If you have a compost heap, place a bit of old carpet or cardboard over the top to help it maintain suitable temperatures for rotting down what’s inside. Service your lawn mower It should be the right time to retire your lawn mower for the winter, so spend a little time getting it cleaned up. Remove any mud and grass from the blades and underside with a stiff brush and give it a wash with soapy water. For the wildlife… Birds this month Berries will make up a large proportion of a birds, if you have fruiting shrubs and trees – leave them be. Ivy Ivy can make a wonderful source of nectar for insects this month and birds later on, leave it be so wildlife can feast. Bonfires It is vital and important that bonfires are checked before lighting – small mammals such as Hedgehogs see them as a cosy area to hibernate and find shelter. Check your bonfires for wildlife before setting alight. Keep bird feeders & baths topped up Make sure you keep bird feeders and bird baths topped up and free from ice (do not use anti-freeze or other chemicals – float a lightweight ball on top instead). Creating habitats Create leaf and stick piles, or create a bug house out of old pots, bricks, pallets and garden debris – this encourages wildlife to create habitats and gives them a sheltered area to live. What To Plant This Month If you’d like to find out more or have questions then please do come and talk to our experts CONTACT US

As the garden dies back, now is the time to replenish summer colour with winter flowering plants, and start thinking ahead to Spring to ensure a beautiful display of colour and some early veggies. Here’s a summary, but scroll down if you want more information on any of these jobs! In the Vegetable Plot Harvest squash and pumpkins Harvest cabbage Bring in green tomatoes and peppers Harvest apples and pears In the Flower Bed Start planting spring bulbs Add winter colour Lift and divide perennials Mulch beds Around the Garden Clear leaves Prune climbing roses Clean tools and greenhouse In the vegetable plot Harvest Squash and Pumpkins Make sure you harvest your remaining squashes and pumpkins before the frost hits otherwise they will be mushy! Harvest Cabbages Once you have harvested cabbages, leave the root in the ground and cut a cross in the top of the stem this will encourage growth of smaller leaves which you can harvest. Bring in green tomatoes and peppers Bring any remaining green tomatoes or peppers inside and hang them upside down to ripen. Harvest apples and pears Harvest apples and pears and store so that you can continue to enjoy them in to winter. Store them in a single layer, not touching each other, in a crate, polystyrene tray or shallow wooden box (a container that allows good air flow through the sides and over the top). Put them somewhere cool (2.8-7oC for apples, cooler for pears), dark, well ventilated, frost free and slightly humid. Ensure they aren’t somewhere that will attract mice. In the flower beds Start planting spring bulbs Daffodils, Tulips, Iris and Alliums. Spread them though borders, round the base of trees and in pots. Add winter colour If you’re not looking to put your garden to bed completely for the winter, think about adding some colour to take your through to spring with some of the gorgeous winter flowering plants such as Polyanthus, Winter Pansies and Cyclamen. These can be added to borders, or you can put them in pots and place them in your beds and borders to add colour amongst your evergreens. Lift perennials Lift and divide perennials whilst the ground is still warm. Mulch beds When you’ve tidied your beds, mulch them to insulate the roots over winter and keep weeds at bay. Around the garden Clear Leaves Clear leaves from your lawn and hard surfaces (a much easier task when they are dry). The easiest way for getting leaves off your lawn is to run your lawnmower over it once a week. For patios, decking and paths a leaf blower is the ultimate method! Blow them on to the lawn for the mower to pick up, or on to a tarpaulin to then tip in to the compost bin. Alternatively, put the in to a black plastic bag on their own to make leaf mould compost. If you have space, you might consider leaving a pile or two in a corner for hedgehogs to hibernate in.If you have a pond, put a net across it to prevent leaves and other debris falling in to it. Prune climbing roses Prune climbing roses to encourage new blooms, strong growth and a good shape in the spring. If you’re unsure about how to prune certain plants, Steve, our plant expert, will be happy to give you some advice. Clean tools and greenhouse Get your greenhouse and tools ready for next year. In the greenhouse, choose a dry, mild day to empty your greenhouse out and give it a good airing. Brush down the framework and surfaces, clean the windows and sweep the floor. Then give all surfaces a wash with disinfectant to remove any pests. Replace any broken glass. To store your tools for winter, scrap off any clinging mud and give them a wash in some warm, soapy water. Oil any metal blades to avoid rusting. For the wildlife… Seed heads Leave attractive seed heads develop on flowers, which will make a tasty snack for birds. Provide fresh food & water Ensure bird feeders and baths are topped up regularly with fresh food and water. Make sure the feeders and baths are clean to prevent the risk of spreading disease. Ponds Give your pond a tidy and clean it of debris and fallen leaves. It’s time to start thinking about leaving a lightweight ball to float on the surface of your pond to stop it freezing over as the weather drops. Late-flowering plants Late-flowering plants will be really beneficial for insects and birds – we recommend asters, sedums, crab apples and hawthorn. What To Plant In October If you’d like to find out more or have questions then please do come and talk to our experts CONTACT US