As autumn fades and temperatures drop, gardeners across the UK are urged to complete key tasks before winter arrives. Craig Wilson, Co-founder and in-house gardening expert at Gardeners Dream, has identified essential November jobs to prioritise, with particular emphasis on safeguarding Christmas dinner essentials.
Harvest and Protect Key Crops
Parsnips should be pulled after the first frosts, which transform starches into natural sugars for sweeter flavour, just in time for Christmas dinner. Brussels sprout plants, vulnerable to damp and windy conditions, may need staking to prevent wind rock and root damage before harvest.
November is also the ideal time to plant onions, shallots and garlic, preferably in raised beds for better drainage. Fruit trees benefit from grease bands around trunks to deter winter moths laying eggs in leaves.
Prepare for Spring and Winter
Tulip bulbs should be planted now for a spring display, as cool soil conditions help prevent fungal diseases like tulip fire. Apply autumn mulch to borderline hardy plants to protect delicate roots from cold snaps, and plant out winter bedding flowers such as pansies into well-prepared soil or pots.
Tender plants and bulbs should be moved indoors or to a heated greenhouse as temperatures continue to drop. Bird baths and feeders should be topped up, as natural food sources diminish and birds help keep pests at bay. Lawns should be aerated with a fork or aerator to improve drainage before winter rains set in.
