The Garden House Tasks for November

Posted:10 November 2024

Bear in mind these tasks are not a comprehensive look at all garden aspects, but relate directly to our monthly workplace in the Garden House garden, inspiring and teaching the volunteers, students and Friday group gardeners who get stuck in and support the development of this unique Brighton garden.

*Plant Narcissi ‘Paperwhites’, N. ‘Avalanche’ and N. ‘Grand soleil d’or’ for flowering at Christmas and January – they need cold but not dark to flower in 5 – 6 weeks.

* Check forced Hyacinths and continue to plant for flowering in Feb – when they are 3cm tall bring into the light.

* Plant Narcissi now and tulips later in the month and into December to avoid tulip fire.

* Take root cuttings of Acanthus, Oriental Poppies and Japanese Anemones.

* Sow sweet peas.

* Prune climbers and ramblers, ramblers flower on old wood so remove old stems to allow new ones to take over to flower next year. Cut back side shoots of climbers to two or three buds from the main stem and remove old, woody stems.

* Divide perennials that flower before midsummer’s day, eg oriental poppies, pulmonarias, things that flower later are best done in spring.

* Sow peas for pea shoots for salad at Christmas.

* Lift and store Dahlias and Gladioli in boxes in shredded paper.

* Plant out winter bedding such as Violas, Bellis and Primulas.

* Cut back herbaceous perennials that are not dying well – leave more tender plants such as Gaura’s and Penstemons until spring as the foliage protects the crown over winter.

* Clear fallen leaves and store to make leaf mould.

* Cut leaves off Hellebores to allow room for the flower to emerge.

* Check cuttings and seedlings to make sure they are not getting water logged and discard any that are rotting.

* Bring in tender plants and take cuttings such as Coleus, (Plectrathus), Argyranthemums, Nemesia, and tender Salivas such as S. ‘Phyllis Fancy’ and S. ‘Confertiflora’.