Gardeners are being urged to aerate their lawns this November to prevent waterlogging and moss growth, ensuring a healthier and more vibrant lawn by spring. The task is one of several crucial jobs recommended for the month as temperatures drop and plant growth slows.
Why aerating your lawn now matters
Craig Wilson, co-founder of Gardeners Dream, advises using "an aerator or a garden fork to poke holes in the ground to allow for better drainage through the wetter months." This step alleviates winter compaction, prevents waterlogging and moss growth, and maintains healthy roots throughout the dormant season.
November marks the transition from enjoyable spring and summer tasks to winter preparation, protection, and planting of dormant stock. Alongside aeration, Wilson recommends topping up bird baths and feeders, as colder weather makes it harder for birds to find food. Encouraging birds into the garden with fresh food and water also helps keep pests at bay.
Planting and protecting your garden
It is also the ideal time to plant tulip bulbs and winter bedding plants like pansies, which should be placed into well-prepared soil or containers with appropriate compost. Spreading mulch offers additional protection against the cold.
For vegetable and fruit growers, Wilson suggests harvesting parsnips following the first frosts, noting, "And just in time for your Christmas dinner, your parsnips will be ready to be removed from the ground." He also recommends planting onions, shallots, and garlic in raised beds for better drainage.
Safeguarding existing crops and trees
Protecting existing crops is equally important. For Brussels sprouts, Wilson recommends providing support as conditions become windier, adding a cane to keep top-heavy sprouts upright and prevent wind rock until Christmas.
Fruit trees require protection from winter moths, which typically lay their eggs amongst the foliage. Wilson advises using grease bands around trunks to stop them in their tracks.
