January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

General Care

Fog is common in November are are clear frosty nights or howling gales. Drain your hoses ready for winter frosts. Shut off and drain outdoor taps too. Make the most of good days, clear up, collect leaves for composting,

Flower beds

You should consider lifting some plants such as begonias, fuchsias and geraniums. Dig free areas roughly leaving later frosts to break the soil down. Shrubs and trees can be planted now if the weather lets you.

Lawn

If you have been laying turf you should finish it this month. Apply fertiliser if required. Make the final cut for the winter and winterise your mower or send it away for repair if it has a problem.

Pond

It is important that wildlife have access to water so place a tennis ball in your pond to stop the water freezing over completely. Also check bird baths. Put a net over your pond if possible to keep debris out.

Greenhouse

Make sure the glass is clean to allow maximum light in during the short winter days. Ventilate your summerhouse when conditions permit. But not in foggy weather. Water annuals over wintering in the greenhouse sparingly

Vegetables

In sheltered areas you can plant broad beans. If you have cloches you could plant lettuce too if you did not last month. Cauliflowers can now be harvested and it is also time to make sure brussels sprouts are safe and secure against autumnal wind. Harvest time for Swiss Chard and radishes.

Indoors

Reduce the amount of watering so that the surface just feels dry. The roots should still be moist. Try and avoid large fluctuations in temperature round houseplants. Plants need light but do not leave them on cold window cills as they may suffer damage from the cold.