Here are our gardening tips for November:

It feels very autumnal and even though some gardens still have an abundance of colour or plants with attractive seed heads it is important to start preparing for Spring next year before the cold wind, rain and the diminishing number of daylight hours drives most of us indoors.
Leaves
Clear up fallen leaves from lawns and put them into a plastic bin liner with a few holes stabbed in the side. Tie the top of the bag and leave them to rot down to make superb leaf mould ready for use in about June/July time. Leaf mould can be used as a mulch, soil conditioner, potting mix, or seed compost.

Overwintering tender perennials
Move tender plants like pelargoniums, salvia and echiums into a greenhouse or a cold frame. Wrap plants or pots to protect from frost and freezing winds. Wrap them snuggly in sacking or bubble wrap works well to prevent their important roots from freezing.
Raise containers on to pot feet to prevent waterlogging and compost freeze.
Roses
Prune roses to prevent wind rock. Shrub and bush roses can grow very tall by autumn, so cut back the stems by between a third and a half of their height, this stops the plant swaying and becoming loose in the soil which will prevent them growing well in the spring. This is good for all roses except climbers and ramblers.
Plant winter bedding such as pansy, viola, primrose, cyclamen, and polyanthus.

Planting in Autumn
Autumn is a good time to plant patio fruit trees as it gives them time to establish through winter and spring. There are a number of varieties which work well in containers growing to approximately 1.8 metres tall and are easy to care for.
Pruning
Pruning and renovating many deciduous trees, shrubs and hedges can be done from now throughout the dormant season. Exceptions are tender plants and also prunus species such as ornamental cherries, plums, and almonds. Pruning of evergreens are best left until the Spring.
Spring Bulbs
Still time to plant spring bulbs, but best do this over the next couple of weeks, these include daffodils, hyacinths, crocus, and snowdrops. Tulips are also available now but delay planting these until late autumn.


Plant bulbs for indoor display
Add scent and colour for Christmas by potting up displays of bulbs like amaryllis, daffodils ‘Paperwhite’ and hyacinths – these will flower in 6-10 weeks depending on the variety.
Houseplants
Houseplants will not need as much water now as the natural light decreases. Keep the compost just moist and allow the surface to dry out before watering again.

Biodiversity
There is currently much discussion about biodiversity and here are five things to help biodiversity in your garden.
- Plant perennials – planting trees and shrubs and herbaceous perennial plants helps provide food and shelter for wildlife and increases garden biodiversity
- Plant for pollinators – Help bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and other pollinators by growing a variety of plants. At garden centres labels indicate which plants are good for pollinators.
- Garden without pesticides – pesticides are not specific to the targets and can have detrimental impact on biodiversity. They can have short term toxic effects on directly exposed organisms and long-term effects can result from changes to habitats and the food chain.
- Let lawns grow naturally – mowing less frequently increases flowers, nectar, and pollen to support pollinators.
- Make a pond – Add water to provide an extra habitat and enhance biodiversity. Adding water to gardens significantly increases their biodiversity.

Do not forget the birds in winter
Winter is a tough time for birds with regard to water and food so keep both topped up in the garden.