GARDEN JOBS IN NOVEMBERThese seeds are great to sow in November, before the busy festive season is underway - do not forget to get some unusual seeds for Christmas for your gardening friends!
For a vast majority of the country (sorry Scotland) November is not normally blighted by heavy frosts but the odd bit of white is sometimes seen in more exposed areas. On days when the soil is not frozen and, more importantly, when it is not too heavy with water November is the time to turn your soil either by forking or digging. This process will improve the soil in many ways. It will bring many pests that 'over winter' in the soil to the surface where they will be eaten by birds or killed by even the lightest frost. It will enable you to remove any remaining weeds, including their roots, and the odd potato that always seems to be hiding despite how many times you dug the soil during the harvest.
Now and over the next month or so is also the best time to fertilize the soil. We feel that natural is always best so worm casts, chicken manure or very well rotted horse manure will improve the soil. If you are not planning to use the soil over the next couple of months then there is no need to dig the fertiliser in, simply leave it on the surface (maybe a light rake to break any lumps). If you do this then the rain and frosts will start to break it down and worms will pull it into the soil. Much of the hard work will be done for you. |
