November gardening jobs: what to do in the garden this month

November is a month for protecting plants and structures, but it’s also a chance to plan next year’s garden. Garden designer and broadcaster Dr Mark Lane suggests browsing catalogues on wet days, using photographs taken through the year to spot gaps, and allowing yourself a little ‘November naughtiness’ with the plants you can’t do without. When the weather is kind, these are the jobs to tackle.

Planting

Plant tulip bulbs now, along with any forgotten daffodils, crocuses and alliums, before winter weather arrives. Bare-root trees, roses, fruit bushes and hedging can go in whenever the ground is unfrozen and workable. Plant garlic in well-drained soil; on heavy clay, start the cloves in modules under cover instead.

Pruning and tidying

Prune established apple and pear trees after leaf fall, but leave stone fruits such as plums and cherries until summer. Shorten long rose stems to prevent wind rock, saving the main pruning for late winter. Some perennials need tidying before heavy rain and strong winds damage their dying growth, but don’t cut everything back.

Leave something for wildlife

Mark is a firm believer that “brown belongs in the garden”. Ornamental grasses such as Korean feather reed grass (Calamagrostis brachytricha) and moor grass ‘Transparent’, and perennials with strong silhouettes like Eryngium agavifolium and Joe Pye weed, give borders structure through the winter. Leave sound seedheads and hollow stems as shelter for insects, and keep log piles and fallen leaves for amphibians, beetles and small mammals.

Lawns, pots and structures

Rake fallen leaves from lawns and paths and use them to make leaf mould. Raise containers onto feet, check drainage holes and move frost-tender plants into a greenhouse. Clear greenhouse gutters and water butts, secure sheds and fences, and remove slippery algae from path.

In the vegetable patch

Harvest leeks, kale, parsnips, swedes and Brussels sprouts, and protect remaining brassicas from hungry pigeons. Then clean tools, pots and canes, check tree ties, service the mower and plan next year’s crops

Winter gardens to visit in Lincolnshire