Hints & Tips

October & November in the garden

This month it's great to look forward to next year, look around your garden and decide what you want to change. If planning a new garden or individual borders, use the winter weather to your advantage, as winter frosts can help break up heavy clay soils, leaving the soil more workable next spring.

Dig over the ground, adding good quality, weed free manure and remove any weeds, making sure all the roots are removed.

November is a good time to plan the plants you wish to include in next years garden. There is now substitute for a master plan to work to, so check out our planting lists, planting plans and planting designs.

Any trees or shrubs that you wish to move can safely be transplanted now, and perennials can also still be planted. Roses respond well to planting this time of year, whilst the soil is still warm enough to encourage a little root growth.

Any plants appreciate being well watered before planting, stand bare root roses and trees in a bucket of water for an hour, and if the dry weather continues, watering may be required after planting.

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This month we have the traditional bonfire night celebrations in thousands of gardens all over the country. If you are planning a display in your garden, remember to have a thorough tidy up of the whole garden beforehand.

With people wandering about in your garden after nightfall, its important to have any fallen branches and debris cleared away to reduce the risk of tripping over. It's also important to remove garden debris away from the area you use for a bonfire, just in case.

Have a great November in your garden.