November 2023
A few more jobs for you …
There’s still plenty that can be done in the gardening calendar.…not quite time to put your feet up and browse those seed catalogues yet!
November is the month to plant tulip bulbs. Any earlier and the ground may still be too warm which encourages fungal disease and rot.. Tulips need reasonably fertile, well drained soil in full sun. The rule of thumb is to plant to a depth at least double the height of the bulb. Remember to add some sharp sand or grit to the compost to help drainage and raise containers off the ground slightly to prevent waterlogging.
It’s still not too late to plant other Spring Flowering Bulbs either. As long as the ground is workable and the bulbs are healthy then plant away. They may just flower slightly later, but still inject your spring garden with plenty of colour.
Dahlia tubers should also be lifted and stored over winter if you want to guarantee that the cold and wet won’t get to them in the ground. Trim down the foliage, clean off the tubers and store in dry compost, straw or sand in a frost free place.
Now is the best time to plant bare root hedging, roses, trees & shrubs. Our delivery of bare root roses will arrive early this month, when conditions for lifting are optimum for our trusted UK grower. These will then be potted up and grown on at the nursery, ready for your space next year.
Winter houseplant health
Now is the perfect time for a houseplant review. With such drastic changes in light levels, temperature & humidity, they may need to be moved around or cared for differently.
Here’s a few top tips to keep your houseplants happy this winter:
Water less - many houseplants will enter a dormant phase during winter. Decrease watering or stop altogether for cacti. Winter flowering plants such as the Christmas Cactus or Poinsettia will still need watering when the compost feels dry.
Stop feeding - again, if plants are dormant they won’t need food..
Move to a brighter spot - with less daylight hours, plants that usually like a shadier spot in summer, may need to be moved nearer the light in winter. Removing any dust or dirt from foliage will also help them absorb more light.
Keep away from draughts.…and radiators. Houseplants dislike fluctuations in temperature. Bear in mind that windowsills can also get too cold at night. Generally, if it’s warm enough for you then it’s warm enough for them