Gardening Advice for November

Good gardening days are often limited in November and every advantage must be taken of fine weather for planting, digging and tidying but remember to keep off wet clay soils or any waterlogged ground until conditions improve or you may damage the soil structure.

Cold wet days give you an opportunity to go into your garden shed and clean tools, pots, trays, plant supports and canes before storing them away for the winter. Check and clear guttering and bring in hose pipes before they get frozen and damaged, drain down any pipes and insulate. Avoid storing chemicals in the greenhouse or shed as they will deteriorate if they are subject to frost or damp: bring them into better insulated places such as the garage.

Although flowers are scarce this month, berries are in abundance while foliage will provide a last finale of autumn colour. Many plants will soon begin their period of winter dormancy, usually when the temperature falls below 6C (43F). Remember that birds will begin to run out of natural food supplies this month so put out clean bird feeding stations and be sure to use a good quality bird food.