Written by John Boon (Burpham Gardening Club)

November & December 2020

There’s plenty to do in the garden in November & December. Here are some hints and tips from Burpham Gardening Club who are hoping to resume their meetings.

Please note that all Club meetings remain cancelled until further notice due to the Covid-19 virus and the Rule of Six. The Trading Hut remains closed. If there is anything that you need please call 01483 874123.

Things to do in the garden in November.

• Planting of Tulips should be completed by the end of this month.
• Cut down faded perennials leaving Penstemon and other late flowering perennials to continue flowering.
• Dahlias and Cannas should be lifted, dried and stored in a frost free place ready for planting next Spring, if they are being overwintered in the ground they should be covered with a mulch dressing.
• Apply an application of a mulch dressing to protect Agapanthus from the frost.

Reduce the watering of houseplants.

• Half hardy Fuchsias and Pelargoniums should be cut back and brought undercover, reduce watering so that they remain dormant during the winter months.
• Amaryllis bulbs should be potted up for Christmas flowering.
• Bring potted Hyacinths into a light cool area once they begin to shoot.
• Reduce the watering of Houseplants.
• Now is a good time to plant Raspberry Canes, Fruit Trees and Bushes.
• Start the winter pruning of Apple and Pear trees.
• Aquadulce Broad Beans should be planted now to produce an early crop ahead of the Spring invasion of Blackfly.
• Garlic cloves can still be planted.
• Continue to rake leaves off of the lawn.

Things to do in the garden in December.

• Indoor Azaleas should be watered frequently to prevent the dense root ball from drying out, rainwater is better than tap water.
• Poinsettias are a popular gift at this time of the year, they should be kept in a warm light place away from draughts, they do not like to be over watered. All other Houseplants should be kept in a bright place as winter light levels fall, on frosty nights do not leave them trapped between closed curtains and the window.
• Pinch out the tips of Sweet Peas sown in October to encourage bushy growth.

Poinsettias are a popular gift at this time of the year, they should be kept in a warm light place away from draughts, they do not like to
be over watered.

• The vegetable plot should be cleared of all left over plant debris and lightly dug over to open up the ground so that the winter frost can get in and destroy
  bugs and diseases.
• Rhubarb crowns can be forced by covering them with dark bucket.

Keep off of the lawn when it is frosty or very wet.

• Grape vines should be pruned before Christmas to prevent bleeding.
• Keep off of the Lawn when it is frosty or very wet.
• Insulate garden taps and exposed pipe work against extreme weather.