Heading into November, most of the country is likely to see the first frosts, although I haven’t mulched my Dahlias yet, so I am hoping it isn’t coming too soon! The month of bonfires, warmer gardening clothes and shorter days means every moment outside in the garden is even more precious. I really enjoy this time of year for the interesting seed heads, faded flowers and bare stems. I love to observe the structure of trees with fallen leaves with stunning colour changes.
The Rhino Greenhouse is now home to a Jacaranda, Mahogany, some Geranium cuttings, herbs including my favourite Lemon Verbena and some first sowings of Sweet Peas. The blinds are up to allow for plenty of light and on milder days the automatic vents will open and everything can get some fresh air flow through.
There is just about enough time to take some annual Geranium cuttings, as long as the plants are healthy and have finished flowering. Taking cuttings to grow and fill pots and hanging baskets with for the following year is a great excuse to go to the greenhouse over winter!
Outside the greenhouse it’s time for mulching, raking up the leaves to make leaf mulch (after you’ve kicked around in them) and generally tidying up and making sure everything is secure for the winter. It’s also bare-root season, meaning bare-root perennials, roses, hedging and trees can all be planted out over winter at a much cheaper cost than buying potted plants - so if you are planning any planting, don’t miss out on bare-roots which can be bought online.
If you are already craving a colourful spring garden, don’t forget to plant out your choice of bulbs. Daffodils, Crocus, Snowdrops, Alliums and Tulips can all be planted out now into the ground or into pots and containers. You can never regret planting out bulbs because after the winter, it’s always pure joy to see them popping up through the soil and flowering as the weather improves in spring.
There’s no need to wait for spring bulbs though, miniature Narcissus and Amaryllis can be planted indoors now for an earlier burst of blooms over the festive period. No matter what the weather, there is always a way to use those green fingers!