Wrap up and get in your garden this November. We continue to maintain and tidy our garden while paying attention to the dropping temperatures and the effects this could have on tender plants and wildlife.
- It is time to plant your tulip bulbs. The cooler soil temperatures help promote root development before winter sets in. Choose a well-drained location with plenty of sunlight and plant the bulbs at a depth of about 15cm, spaced 10-15cm apart.
- You may need to protect plants from the cold weather and frost. Cover them with horticultural fleece to shield sensitive plants or move any pots you can to sheltered areas for added protection. If you need further advice, pop in and ask our knowledgeable team.
- Consider raising pots off the floor onto ‘feet’ to keep the bottom of the pot out of the water, which helps prevent the compost from freezing.
- If you are watering plants during any dry spells, try to avoid splashing the leaves, as they will dry slower in the cooler weather and could cause fungal diseases.
- Start planning how you envision your garden looking next year. Use paper and pen to draw the outline of your garden and use garden magazine cuttings to plot where you see your flowers, shrubs, trees, fruit, and veg.
- If needed, add support to growing Brussels sprouts with canes and pile up the earth around the stems for extra stability. Prune fruit bushes once dormant, including blackcurrants, redcurrants, and gooseberries.
- Consider insulating the greenhouse with bubble wrap to maintain a stable temperature during the colder months.
- Plant hippeastrum (amaryllis) bulbs in pots for spectacular flowers over the festive season. We have potted and boxed amaryllis in store; these make gorgeous gifts and are very easy to grow.
- Keep any indoor bulbs watered regularly so they do not dry out. Give houseplants extra humidity to combat the drying effects of central heating.
- Continue to keep the garden tidy. It is easy to neglect our gardens in the colder months, but staying on top of jobs like clearing fallen leaves and removing any weeds that pop up will keep you on track for a successful spring garden. Repair any fences and trellis now that they are becoming free of foliage and wrap insulating foam around outdoor taps and pipes so they do not freeze.
- Remember, the birds may need a little help in autumn and winter. Set up bird feeders with high-energy foods and supply fresh water in bird baths if natural sources have frozen. Clean out and scrub bird feeders regularly to maintain hygiene. We have a large wild bird department in our pet shop full of fat balls, a variety of seeds, birdhouses, and more!
Winter blues kicking in? Come in and see us – our garden centre is full of festive cheer.