What to do in the garden in November ?!
We have a good harvest (constant!) of brassicas with cabbage and kale that members can come and pick up after helping out (weeding, cleaning and turning the compost heap is always appreciated!). The Brussel sprouts are nicely coming along but we’ll leave them for now. If the stalks are falling, it is a good time to support them especially when there is high wind!
We can plant some more garlic (always a good idea after Halloween 😊). The cloves like a cold spell for their development. Good idea is to cover with straw or fleece for frost protection. Some hardy varieties of BEANS and PEAS like Aguadulce (beans) and Douce Provence (peas) can be sowed directly outdoors at this time of the year. Overwintering of shallots and Onions sets can go in now for an early summer crop. It’s a good time to sow spinach and chards in protected areas, our chards are very happy in the garden at the moment.
It’s a good moment to plant fruit trees and bushes, but we did that last year so we will not add any this year. The pears and apple trees might need a little pruning?
It’s also a good time to divide our rhubarb crowns and mulch them heavily for protection during the coming cold spells.
Finally, it’s a good time to clear old crops and compost them, add compost and sow green manure in preparation of the coming Spring! Covered bare soil will keep nutrients better.
We should put fleece tunnels or cloches over sensitive crops like our Afghan Gandana and add windbreak wherever possible as well as check that the greenhouse is in good shape!
Never a dull moment in the garden!!
