November 2006

November should bring the sharp frosts and glorious winter sunrises. We should be digging out those hats, gloves and scarves to help us keep warm but the current weather forecast shows spring-like temperatures! In October, plants should have been going to sleep but instead some are uncharacteristically coming into flower. Ceanothus, Cornus and Cercis have all been spotted in flower. Roses and Clematis continue to bloom as the autumn leaf colour continues to change and not fall!!! However, these milder conditions have given us the boost to get planting but has delayed pruning because the plants are still putting on growth and are not yet dormant.

Bare-rooted trees, hedging and roses should be lifted at the beginning of the month for planting to the middle and end of the month. The bare-rooted season has been delayed because of the lack of frosts which has caused the leaves to remain for longer on the plants. Always plant bare-rooted deciduous plants and move them when the leaves have dropped as this will cause the plants less stress. Plant roses in large holes with well rotted manure or compost dug into the bottom of the hole. Plant to the old soil mark on the stem and make sure this is buried out of sight. Firm the surface of the soil gently with your foot and mulch the surface with compost, rotted manure or bark. Don’t replant roses in the same position where a previous rose has died because the new rose will suffer and die from ‘rose replant disease’.

Plant tulips now making sure they are in a sunny aspect in free draining soil. Lighten heavier soils by planting the bulbs onto grit from preventing the base plate from sitting in water. Continue to plant other spring bulbs in informal drifts.

After the fruit trees and bushes have dropped their leaves, it will be time to start the winter-pruning later this month. At this time of the year you can remove the bigger branches. Start off with the golden rule of the three D’s – dead, diseased and damaged wood. Once these are removed work on opening up the centre of the plant to prevent overcrowding and disease. Prune back the stems of trained fruit (fans, cordons and espaliers) by one-third to encourage side shoots.

When the leaves eventually fall from the trees, they should be gathered up and then left to rot down and make leafmould. Leafmould is a wonderful crumbly brown material with many benefits. It is a ‘magic ingredient’ which can be used in place of peat to improve soil conditions. Use a rake or mower to collect the leaves and put them in a wire-netting enclosure. Tread the leaves down as you go and leave them for a year to allow the fungi to rot them down. If you want to use bin-liners then stab a few holes in the side, tie the tops and leave them in a corner.

Plants for November are; the dense plumes of the pampas grass (Cortaderia) which last well into winter. Mahonia x media Charity, will start to flower with its fragrant, yellow blooms and for vibrant stem colour don’t forget the dogwoods (Cornus). Finally, enjoy the abundant amount of berries on all the trees and shrubs.

Happy Gardening!

Contacts
The regular "In the Garden" features for Monkey Magazine are written and researched by Cat Wilkins.

If you have a comment, or would like to make a suggestion for possible future topics, please feel free to email her by clicking on this link: Cat Wilkins