Welcome to November
November 2023
‘A garden to walk in and immensity to dream in - what more could he ask?’ Victor Hugo from Les Misérables.
Did you know the Robin is one of the few birds that sing all year round? They can often be found with us in the garden now as we pick up leaves, dig over, and mulch they are a friendly comfort through the winter months.
12th Remembrance Sunday.
21st Stir up Sunday, traditionally the gathering of the family to all take a stir of the Christmas pudding. We do this with the Christmas cake.
Things to do this month.
Still, have Halloween pumpkins hanging around? The last couple of years I have given the pumpkin back to nature. I fill it with birdseed and fat balls. The pumpkin seeds I keep and dry out in the oven for about 15 minutes on low heat and then blend them to make them a smaller size so birds can easily peck at. I cut out the carved side of the pumpkin to go on the compost pile, and put the rest of it outside, for the birds and insects to enjoy, off the ground so that hedgehogs don’t get to it and get a tummy upset.
Cut back foliage on the hellebores, to allow the spring growth to come through and this will prevent the leaf spot disease too.
Tulip bulbs can be planted this month, remember to plant them twice their size deep to keep them away from squirrels and ensure they produce recurring flowers each year.
Autumn broad beans can be sown now ‘Aguadulce’. Start them off in plug trays, after the new moon on the 13th, and once they have sprouted three or four leaves, plant them out. You do not need to cover them until the spring when the insects will be attracted to the scent of the flowers, that is the time to cover them in some protective netting.
Prepare for hard winter forecasts put cloches in place, and fleece or use old sheets to protect overwintering vegetables that went in last month.
Look out for the red Admiral butterfly that can still be seen due to the warmer climate.
