November GardenAdvice for Sally Burns

Summary of the Garden

Soil & pH:
Your garden overall is slightly acidic. There is notably thin, acidic soil under the beech tree. In the lawn, a low pH was identified and treatment with bio-lime was previously advised.

Aspect & micro-climates:

• The front garden is currently laid as gravel, which makes it well-suited to drier, sunnier planting.
• The side garden is shaded under the beech tree, so it needs planting suitable for acid soil and shade, plus soil improvement.
• There are lawn areas in shade where a fescue mix was recommended for better growth under low light.

Key plants / features to note:

• The potted hibiscus (which when repotted will need ericaceous compost)
• Hydrangeas and other acid‐loving shrubs
• The proposed pleached hedge for structure and screening
• The beech tree (its root system and canopy create the challenging thin, acidic soil under it)
• Lawn areas requiring overseeding
• Vegetable/fruit area where strawberries & soft fruit are grown

Fruit & vegetable crops you wish to grow:
Beetroot, carrots, courgettes, parsnips, potatoes, swede, turnips, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, gooseberry, peach, pear, cabbage, onions, peas, spring onions, cucumbers, runner beans.

Blog / report highlights & goals:

• Improve the soil under the beech tree (use spent mushroom compost / leaf-mould)
• Plan for winter crops such as lettuce in the veg area
• Cut back strawberries, plan fruit cages/netting for raspberries/gooseberries
• Consider adding a trained fruit tree (cherry or pear) as an architectural feature
• Consider micro-irrigation so water is delivered efficiently
• Think about implementing the pleached hedge on the right side of the garden for structure

Personalised Tasks for November

Plant-specific tasks:

• Hibiscus (potted): If you haven’t yet repotted the hibiscus into ericaceous compost, now is a good time while the plant is becoming dormant or ready to be sheltered. Place into a suitably sized pot (e.g., ~12-inch size) with ericaceous compost. Keep the plant somewhere above freezing, reduce watering but don’t allow the compost to dry out completely.
• Hydrangeas & acid-loving shrubs: Top up mulch of well-rotted leaf-mould or spent mushroom compost around the roots (avoiding piling mulch against stems).
• Beech tree side‐bed & understorey area: Apply a thin layer of spent mushroom compost lightly worked into the topsoil to build humus and improve structure, taking care to avoid heavy digging under the tree’s roots.

Fruit & soft fruit tasks:

• Strawberries: Cut back spent foliage, remove old runners and diseased leaves; apply a light mulch to protect crowns over winter; plan fruit cages/netting for next season.
• Raspberries / Blackberries: For autumn-fruiting types remove the fruited canes and thin remaining canes; for summer-fruiting types keep the new canes, remove old ones, tie in and tidy for winter; add bird protection / netting if required.
• Gooseberry / Blueberry: Blueberries prefer acid soil – site them in acid beds or containers with ericaceous compost; mulch with ericaceous mulch. Gooseberries can be pruned lightly in winter.
• Fruit trees (Peach / Pear): Planting bare-root now (November–March) while trees are dormant is ideal. Plant to correct depth, stake and water in. For established trees, prune structural branches while fully dormant; remove dead wood on peaches now and plan structural pruning later.

Vegetable tasks:

• Plant garlic cloves and overwintering onions now. Protect spring onions with fleece if frost is expected.
• Lift main-crop potatoes before a hard frost; store in a cool dark place.
• For brassicas (cabbage etc) protect with netting/fleece against birds and caterpillars; mulch with well-rotted compost.
• For root veg left in ground, protect with straw or heavy mulch; store harvested roots in frost-free place.
• Clear spent courgettes and cucumbers; dispose of diseased foliage away from the compost heap; tidy beds and prepare for winter.
• Order seeds for next season, plan crop rotations and sowing slots.
• From GardenAdvice: You can refer to their monthly tasks for November – see Gardening tasks November for a helpful reference. GardenAdvice.co.uk

Climate-based tasks (Bath/temperate maritime):
Expect mild, wet winters with occasional frosts. Protect tender containers and potted plants (insulate pots with fleece or bubble wrap). Check greenhouse seals and vents. Explore the complete seasonal maintenance guide at Complete Guide to Seasonal Garden Maintenance GardenAdvice.co.uk

General garden tasks:

• Spread spent mushroom compost or leaf-mould under the beech tree and across borders to build humus (also referenced under Autumn tidy-up) GardenAdvice.co.uk+1
• Plan lawn overseeding for thin/shaded areas (use fescue mix) and apply bio-lime to raise low pH in the lawn.
• Turn and insulate the compost heap; check for hibernating wildlife before disturbing it.
• Move tender pots/containers into shelter and reduce watering.
• Schedule patio/decking winter clean and restoration when weather allows.
• For fruit trees and roses, do a winter wash on a mild, calm day to reduce overwintering pests. (See Care Notes on Winter Gardening Tasks (November Focus) for detailed advice.) GardenAdvice.co.uk

Additional Recommendations

Priority tasks this month:

• Cut back strawberries, apply winter mulch
• Improve soil under the beech tree with spent mushroom compost
• Plant bare-root fruit trees (pear/cherry) if you have them ready for this season

Suggested improvements:

• Consider installing a micro-drip irrigation system for containers & veg beds
• Put in place fruit netting / cages for raspberries and blackberries to protect from birds

Problem prevention:

• Perform winter wash on fruit trees and roses to reduce pests and diseases
• Apply mulch to prevent freeze-thaw damage to roots
• Remove diseased foliage (do not compost diseased material) to prevent overwintering infections

Long-term projects:

• The pleached hedge on the right-hand side offers structure, screening and a tidy boundary feature.
• A trained fruit tree (pear or cherry) with solar lighting as a feature: plan and plant bare-root in the November–March window.

Useful GardenAdvice Resources

• Browse the gardening calendar and download weekly/monthly guides: Gardening Calendar GardenAdvice.co.uk
• Shop for composts, tools and supplies: GardenAdvice Shop
• More on autumn and winter harvesting and veg sowing: Sow Now for Autumn and Winter Harvests GardenAdvice.co.uk

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November is a pivotal month in your garden plan — this is the time to build soil health, protect established plants, plan for next year’s productivity, and set the scene for early spring success. By following this tailored list for your garden and referencing the linked GardenAdvice resources, you’ll be well placed to make meaningful progress without being overwhelmed.