November
during the winter months
Most mornings now feel as though winter is approaching rapidly, happily we still get the odd day that is warm and bright even if it is only for a few hours.
Prune roses to prevent wind-rock
Now is a good time to prune shrub and bush roses. As we live in quite a windy area, and if they are left tall and elegant as they blow about in the wind, the roots may be lifted from the soil. Shrub and bush roses can grow very tall, so in autumn, cut back the stems between a third to a half of their height. This will stop them swaying and becoming loose in the soil. If their roots are disturbed it can damage or even kill the rose.
Plant tulip bulbs for a spring display next year
Tulips are amongst the most popular of bulbs, valued for their brilliant flower colours and shapes. Plant in autumn for a show of spring flowers. There is a large range to suit different situations and the good thing is these bulbs can be planted out up to mid-December.
Dig a hole approximately four to six inches into the soil. Place the tulip bulb’s flattened side (wide base) down and pointed end up. Space them five to six inches apart. Press the bulbs very gently into the soil, to ensure they are standing in an upright position. Back-fill the hole, and water lightly.
The great gardener Christopher Lloyd who had gardens in Great Dixter (a historic house and gardens near Rye in East Sussex) planted tulips at any time from when they arrived until Christmas and felt It made little difference to their eventual performance.
Plant out winter bedding and hardy perennials
Hardy perennials or shrubs such as “Erica (winter-flowering heather), euphorbia and heuchera can give valuable flower and foliage colour through the winter months. Plant pansies, violas and polyanthus for immediate colour.
Bulbs can be mixed with biennial bedding plants and will give a combination of colour in the early spring months. Try planting allium, anemone blanda, crocus, hyacinth, early flowering Iris reticulata and tulips.
Container planting
If planting in pots and tubs, insulate outdoor containers from frost. Bubble wrap works well. Place pots close to the house for good protection.
In wet weather, raise pots up off the ground on ‘feet’ or similar to keep the bottom of the pot out of the water and prevent compost freezing.
Put out bird food to encourage winter birds into the garden
Winter can be a tough time for birds, so keep supplies of water and food well topped up.
Wildlife container pond
I always like to have some kind of new item to try out in the garden and I have heard the saying numerous times that a garden without water is a garden without a soul. So hoping to give mine some soul I am going to make a wildlife container pond. Yes, a pond in a pot.
You do not need a large space and you can use one of those lovely old butlers sinks. Unfortunately I do not think I will be able to lay my hands on one of those as they seem to be very much in fashion. I am therefore looking to repurpose a plastic sand pit or obtain a half wooden barrel.
I was always concerned that a pond created in a container may become smelly, but apparently stagnant water is rarely a problem if you use rainwater and a few aquatic plants.
What you’ll need to make your container pond:
- A sheet of pond liner to line your container if it isn’t watertight
- Some bricks, stones or several logs
- A plank of untreated timber and square of chicken wire
- Three to five pond plants suitable for small ponds
- Rainwater
Pick your position – Locate your container in your garden where there is a little sun but not for the whole of the day. Otherwise the water can warm up too much or evaporate too quickly.
If it’s not already watertight, fit the container with a flexible piece of pond liner, securing it in place with a silicone-based sealer.
Make it wildlife friendly— Create a ramp so that frogs and other wildlife can get both in and out of your container pond. Use a stack of stones but bricks, logs or a plank of untreated wood covered in chicken wire to provide access for wildlife’s little legs.
Fill your container with rainwater
Begin planting – Three to five plants are usually enough for a mini-pond – they may look small, but pond plants can grow very quickly. Use both floating and upright pond plants.
Job done – Watch and see what creatures use your small pond.
