November 2005
November Tasks for the Month

General
It is still important to keep on top of the weeding even though the season is coming to a close. If weeds can be prevented from seeding there will be many fewer problems next season.

As beds and borders are vacated, dig them over and prepare for planting. Those areas that are to remain vacant until the spring should have the soil turned over in as large lumps as possible in order that they might weather properly during the winter.

Lawn
Apply a moss killer to the lawn before scarifying. Do not scarify if the moss has not been treated as the problem will only be distributed across the turf.

Keep an eye open for turf disease like fusarium and fairy rings. There are treatments for these problems which will not become too severe if dealt with properly.

Aerate the lawn to relieve compaction using an aerator or hollow tined fork. Brush coarse sand into the holes.

A new lawn from turf or seed can be established this month, although neither will be usable until next year.

Repairs to broken edges and the levelling of humps and hollows can be satisfactorily carried out now.

Pond
Cut back faded marginal aquatics. Do not cut hollow stemmed varieties below water level as they often "drown".

Remove the pump and replace with a pool heater.

Net the pond or around it to prevent falling leaves from blowing into the water.

Flowers

Spring flowering bulbs such as daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and crocus can all be planted. Remember that bulbs are excellent for planters, containers and window boxes as well as the open garden.

As summer bedding plants fade these should be removed and the soil prepared for the next planting.

Fuchsias, geraniums and other tender perennial and shrubby plants which will not survive the winter outdoors should be lifted and prepared for over-wintering indoors.

Chrysanthemums in pots which have spent the summer months outdoors should be removed to the protection of the greenhouse.

Cut back the fading vegetation of early flowering herbaceous perennials.

Vegetables

Most vegetables can be harvested now and stored. These include carrots, beetroot, swedes, turnips, potatoes and onions.

Winter hardy lettuce can be sown outdoors. Protect the rows with pea guards as birds find the young seedlings very attractive.

Lambs lettuce, perpetual spinach and winter spinach can be sown now but should be protected from birds by pea guards.

Fruit

The apple and pear harvest is in full swing. Pick as they ripen. An indication of this is by placing a hand under a fruit and gently lifting. If it detaches from the stem easily it is ripe.

Prune and tie in all cane fruits, especially blackberries, tayberries and wineberries. Remove any unwanted suckering growths.

Greenhouse

Clear out the old tomato and cucumber crop. Remove all plants outside and give the greenhouse a thorough cleaning with a strong disinfectant, before taking them back inside.

Plants which have spent the summer stood outside, like winter cherry and Christmas azalea, should be brought in and given protection.

Pot up amaryllis for winter flowering.