Gardening Jobs for November

This is by no means the only jobs that need to be done at this time of year but will give a little help in planning what to do. Remember winter weather will play a big part in deciding what we get done! But done panic, these are only guidelines; we can adjust our times to suit the weather. If weather is wet, stay off the garden because you are likely to compact the soil, better stick to other gardening tasks in that case.

Digging &Preparing the ground work for next year - 

Now is a good time to dig over any garden area that you intend using over the coming year if you haven’t already done so. It’s not the easiest job in the world so if you’re new to it, do small bits - a little at a time. By digging over your plot and digging in any compost or manure you might have will, not only add to the amount of nourishment of the soil but, give our frosty weather the chance to kill off any weeds and bugs that might otherwise give us grief next year. If your soil is a heavy clay type, any compost/manure you add will also have the benefit of improving drainage - not too many plants like to have their roots sitting permanently in water.

 

Broad Beans

Broad beans are easy to grown , in a sunny well composted( with the addition of potash) part of your garden . Tradionally grown up supporting canes and produce attractive flowers prior to fruiting for those that fancy incorporating them into your flowerbeds , the broad bean produce a white/lilac flower. Broad beans can be planted out , no later than the middle of November to get a head start for an early crop, these should be ready by June. You will have higher losses than those sown later outdoors in March, especially if we have a very wet winter. Sow your beans 9” apart and 3” deep. Again you will need to support the plant as it grows so it’s a choice again of you wig-wham crossed supports or circular. Once again I’m opting for pot growing but it’s just personal choice and of course it hasn’t been influenced by the fact I have a glasshouse at my disposal! When the broad beans are in full flower pinch out the tops, it has a number of benefits – producing an earlier bigger crop and reduces the risk of black fly attack (they like the softer young growth at the top).

Bean varieties  will benefit from being planted beside either beetroot or any of the onion family. Maize (corn) benefit from the nitrogen released by the roots of the broad beans. Rosemary also is a good companion plant for the bean family as it repels a lot of bean parasites, like bean beetle.

 

Garlic

Garlic is an easy plant to start off growing, and as it’s nice and mild at the moment it won’t too hard to get out into the garden. Nearly everybody uses garlic now in everyday cooking and there is nothing better than being able to use your own - it always tastes better.

Garlic bulbs are easily available and all you have to do is break them up into the individual cloves. Peel off the outer skin carefully; it makes sure your cloves are free from any fungus that might cause problems later. Plant cloves root down , approx. 2" deep and about 6 " apart in an area that gets sun or only light shade . They like free draining soil so if your soil is heavy or clay consider using sand/grit under the plants to improve drainage. Another solution is to use a raised be to improve drainage from the soil. Garlic likes cold weather so don’t mind if the weather turns cold after planting

 

 

Other tasks for November:

·       Hardwood cuttings

·       Pruning fruit trees & bushes

·       Last lawn cutting – not too low.

·       Plant Wallflowers to insure spring colour

·       Bulbs – not too late for these to produce spring colour either

·       Building compost heaps & collecting /clearing fallen leaves.