In The Flower Garden
- Spread compost (Mulching) on to flower beds for worms to work in over winter
- Collect fallen leaves showing signs of blackspot from around roses
- Fork compost into borders, but take care not to spike emerging bulbs
- Deadhead pansies regularly
- Plant lily-of-the-valley
- Tie string or wire around conifers and yew to prevent heavy snow damaging branches
- Fill empty containers with winter heathers and trailing ivy
- Firm soil around roses loosened by storms
- Replace wobbly tree stakes and worn plant ties
In The Fruit and Vegetable Garden
- Net crops to protect them from pigeons
- Protect sprouts for the Christmas table from windy weather
- Take hardwood cuttings from fruit bushes
- Get ready for planting asparagus in spring, removing weeds and digging over the soil, and adding compost
- Order onion sets and seed potatoes
- Plant new fruit trees, bushes and cane fruits
- Start to plan next year’s crop rotation
- Prune large fruit trees to control their shape and size, and to increase productivity
- Cut out about a quarter of the oldest stems from currant bushes
- Lift and divide congested clumps of rhubarb, replanting into soil enriched with well-rotted manure
In The Greenhouse
- Water azaleas with rainwater
- Take the last chance to bring on forced indoor bulbs for festive decorations
- Water potted fuchsias sparingly to prevent the compost drying out completely
- Tidy the greenhouse and pick faded leaves from pelargoniums and other plants
- Bring potted strawberries under cover to encourage earlier fruiting
- Order seeds and make a sowing plan for greenhouse crops and bedding plants
- Check heaters are working efficiently and top up paraffin if necessary
- Pinch out the tips of autumn-sown sweet peas to promote bushier growth
- Bring pots or glasses of prepared hyacinths indoors to flower
- Protect potted peach trees from winter rain and peach leaf curl by bringing under cover
Generally Around The Garden
- Place cloches over tender plants to give them extra protection from frost
- Sharpen blades on hoes, secateurs and other garden tools, and wipe with an oily rag before storing away
- Do a final collection of any autumn leaves still lying around
- Search through seed and bulb catalogues for new things to grow this coming season
- Repair wobbly or damaged fences and treat wooden structures with preservative
- Put out fresh water for birds every day in frosty weather
- Wrap pots with sacking or insulating material to protect the roots of plants
- Pick evergreen foliage for indoor decorations, storing in water in a porch or shed before bringing into the house on Christmas Eve
Ramblings!
To see more “ramblngs” go to……
Matt asked about collecting leave from outside his house. See my answer here….
