Gardening in November
As autumn comes to an end, the last of the leaves are falling from the trees and the days are becoming wetter and noticeably colder. It’s a quieter time of year in the garden, and a great opportunity to reflect on what has and has not worked well in the garden, and to start planning for the next year. It’s also a great time to take a look at your indoor plants and make sure they’re ready for the winter.
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What Vegetables to Plant in November The following veggies will happily weather the cold snap – in fact, they will produce solid roots over winter and crave spring growth: broad bean garlic onion pea Many spring-sown vegetables are now harvested. Brassicas like kale and swede really come into their own during the colder months and provide a great source of nutrition: Beetroot broccoli Brussels sprouts cabbage radish cauliflower celery beet Jerusalem artichoke kale Chinese chives lettuce Parsnips radish Vegetable plant maintenance in November Vegetable plots are fairly low maintenance in November. Here are some preparations to do before any winter weather arrives: Asparagus - Cut the yellow leaves 2-3 cm (1 inch) above the ground. Cauliflower - Bend the leaves over the developing heads to protect them from frost. Artichokes - Cut the stems and add to the compost heap. Jerusalem artichoke - felled to a height of about 1 foot above the ground. This will stop them from being damaged by wind, but still allow you to find them under any snowfall. Your attention should then turn to protecting plants from hungry pests: Beetroot and Carrots - Harvest any remaining roots. Once the soil is wet, slugs and lice can destroy them. Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and kale – use netting to keep birds out of them. The following veggies will happily weather the cold snap – in fact, they will produce solid roots over winter and crave spring growth: broad bean garlic onion wrap pea What Vegetables to Harvest in November Many spring-sown vegetables are now harvested. Brassicas like kale and swede really come into their own during the colder months and provide a great source of nutrition: Beetroot broccoli cabbage radish cauliflower celery beet Jerusalem artichoke kale Chinese chives Parsnips radish Vegetable plant maintenance in November Vegetable plots are fairly low maintenance in November. Here are some preparations to do before any winter weather arrives: Asparagus - Cut the yellow leaves 2-3 cm (1 inch) above the ground. Cauliflower - Bend the leaves over the developing heads to protect them from frost. Artichokes - Cut the stems and add to the compost heap. Jerusalem artichoke - felled to a height of about 1 foot above the ground. This will stop them from being damaged by wind, but still allow you to find them under any snowfall. Your attention should then turn to protecting plants from hungry pests: Beetroot and Carrots - Harvest any remaining roots. Once the soil is wet, slugs and lice can destroy them. Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and kale – use netting to keep birds out of them
What kind of fruit is suitable for planting in November November is the best time to plant fruit trees and sugar cane as the soil is still warm and plants are going dormant. If you're considering planting fruit trees in November, fruit trees that can be planted now include: cherry peach pear Plum Prepare the soil for new fruit trees by digging a square hole and removing any perennial weeds. Drive a stake vertically from the bottom of the hole at least 1 inch into the ground, and plant the tree about 3 inches from the stake. Tie a tie near the top of the stake and tie the tree loosely to it. Refill the hole with soil and secure. Make sure to plant any grafting points of the tree above the soil (the knotty parts are a few inches above the roots). Follow the same site preparation guidelines for fruit trees, but without staking them: Fig Grape blueberry There are a variety of bare root fruit trees to choose from for fall and winter. These are usually stronger specimens than container grown plants and come in a wider range of varieties. If you're interested in late-season container grown bargains, double-check the health of your plants. Look for signs of pests and diseases, or other stresses such as drought. The plant should not be potted; gently pick up the plant near the base of the stem to make sure it cannot be easily pulled out of the pot. What fruits are harvested in November The last fruit should be harvested now, before any severe frost: Plum Grape pear Pears store well if wrapped in newspaper and kept in a cool, dark place. Prune these fruit trees to encourage new growth in late spring. Remove dead wood, congested and chafing branches to promote good air circulation in plants: Grape pear Mulch plants with suitable compost to help protect them over winter. Check fruit trees for signs of bacterial canker. The leaves will fall from the trees as expected in November, making it easier to spot symptoms of the devastating disease. Look for dark, dimpled, and sometimes weeping bark on tree trunks and branches. It is treated by removing the wound and all surrounding tissue. Add a barrier to raspberries, which suck and spread nearby, popping up where they aren't always needed. Burying a thin, hard barrier about 1 inch deep along the edge of the raspberry plot will help stop them from spreading. Check stored apples and pears for rot. Disease can spread quickly, so remove any food that shows signs of decay.
What Flowers and Bulbs to Plant in November November is the right time to plant the following bulbs: Allium hyacinth Fritillaria hyacinth iris spring flower crocus snowdrops tulip These will yield early color reveals, look forward to next year. Bulbs can be grown in the ground or in pots, or both. Consider whether a mix of different colors will be the most striking for your garden, or whether a flush of a single color will have a stunning effect. November Flower and Bulb Maintenance The following plants are frost tolerant and should be brought indoors: canna dahlia Fuchsia geranium Other work currently undertaken: Lift dahlia tubers after the first frost. Store them in a cool but frost-proof dry compost pile. Clear the sugar snap peas. Make sure you save some seeds to plant next year. Check the bulb to be planted for mold, as it can spread to other bulbs. Supplement compost in containers where bulbs were planted earlier in the year. This will provide incoming plants with fresh nutrients and ensure that pests and diseases are not disturbed.