PG Tips: November

Plant TLC

Tie-in any loose stems of climbers to prevent them snapping in strong winds.

Now is a good time to lift and divide perennials, so long as you are prepared to make a mess before the season truly ends. Dividing plants now, while the soil is still warm, lets them re-establish before winter sets in. Feel free, at this stage of the season, to cut down the tops of plants that are still green or even in flower.
  
When clearing away the spent stems of summer bulbs, mark their position with a pebble or a short piece of cane so you know where they are as you work on the border next spring.

Start planting summer-fruiting raspberries.
 
Turn houseplants on windowsills, to keep growth even. Give less water now, to slow it down; winter growth is rarely desirable.

Spring bulbs are already for sale. Pot some now for the earliest display or buy them and keep them cool and dry for a month or so. Once potted they must stay cool; plunging the pots into the soil in a cold frame is ideal. 

General Maintenance

 The nights have started to turn colder, which means a danger of hard frosts that can damage garden taps. Use foam tap covers or put bubble wrap around each tap, then seal with a plastic bag to protect them. If pipes are exposed to the elements, lag them

Containers intended to stand outside should be brought into the lee of a building, which will mean they are less likely to spall or burst in frost. Store precious pots empty, dry and under cover

Keep mowing, but not too short. Cut above the moss. Make sure air vents in the grass box are not clogged or the mower will struggle to lift the clippings into the box.

Without getting neurotic about it, keep those leaves cleared up. The ones to worry about are those eddying in the corners of lawns and those sitting on top of cushion plants and alpines. As well as encouraging moulds underneath, fallen leaves are the perfect refuge for slugs.

When collecting fallen leaves in perforated bin bags to turn into leaf mould, make sure they are thoroughly wet when you put them in and soak with a hose if necessary. Packed dry, they will never rot.

Remove dead and decaying growth from marginal pond plants.

In dry weather, wooden fences can be treated with preservative.