As the clocks have gone back and the days become shorter, there’s a feeling of winter on the way, but it’s still autumn, and gardens are full of glorious autumn colours with tree leaves turning magnificent shades of orange, red, and gold. November is a wonderful time to enjoy these final autumn hues and get some essential tasks done in the garden before winter takes hold. Here’s some things to do in the garden before winter sets in.
Keep Planting Bulbs
November might bring cooler, shorter days, but it’s still the perfect time to plant bulbs, especially tulips. Unlike other bulbs, tulips thrive when planted a bit later in autumn, so if you haven’t planted yours yet, there’s still time. However, don’t wait too long because winter will be here before you know it. When planting, remember that depth is crucial; bulbs planted deep in the soil perform much better, producing healthier blooms in spring.
Gathering Leaves for Homemade Compost
With leaves carpeting the lawn and borders, it might be tempting to clear them away. However, fallen leaves are a treasure for homemade garden compost. Sweep them up and mix them with summer grass clippings, garden trimmings, and kitchen peelings. This mixture will break down over time, producing a rich compost that improves soil health and promotes garden biodiversity. Homemade compost is a wonderful way to sustain the garden naturally and it’s free.
Prepare the Veg Patch
As the last of the crops are harvested, now’s the time to dig over any vegetable patches. Incorporate organic matter, like compost or well-rotted manure, to improve the soil’s structure and nutrients for next year. This investment in soil health pays off, giving vegetables a much better start when planting resumes in the spring.
Final Grass Cut
As we head towards the final lawn cut of the year, raise your mower blades to the highest setting. Leaving grass slightly longer helps it withstand the winter cold. After your final cut, take time to clean your mower, removing any residual grass, and store it in a dry place until next year.
Clean Tools
After all the hard work of the year, make sure to clean your tools thoroughly before storing. Wipe them down, remove soil and debris, disinfect and allow them to dry completely before storing them. To keep your hand tools in excellent condition over winter, store them in a bucket filled with sand and oil. This prevents rust and keeps blades sharp. Proper care and storage will ensure your tools are ready for action again when spring arrives.
Bird Care
Our gardens are a haven for our wild birds over autumn and winter, when food and water become scarce. You can easily help them by providing a good supply of quality bird food, fat balls and a supply of clean fresh water. You’ll be more than repaid many times over by the sight of beautiful birds in the garden from tiny blue tits and festive robins to more haughty woodpeckers and cheeky blackbirds. Bird feeders, bird tables and bird houses make a great gift idea too for Christmas.
Planning for Next Year
With all that planting, digging, and preparing done, treat yourself to a warm cup of tea indoors. Take a moment to flip through a gardening book or seed catalogue, or start planning your garden for next year with a pen and paper. November may bring tasks, but it’s also a wonderful time to reflect and dream about the seasons to come. Enjoy these last days of autumn in the garden, knowing your work now will reward you with a flourishing garden next spring!
