Many people are unsure of what to do when in their garden. And many people would like to avoid disappointment. This lists garden jobs in a "Horticultural Year" on a month-by-month basis. Each month is sub-catogorised into: general tasks, fruit and vegetable, greenhouse and patio jobs, to-do-lists concerning trees, shrubs, and herbaceous perennials.
These are guidelines only and are suitable for Southern English gardens. If you live in colder areas please adjust suggestions according to your climate, ie. the risk of frost is greater the further North you live. Also every year is different in general and this year's winter might be much milder then previous winter have been, suggesting that this year's spring will come much earlier than usually and garden jobs will have to be carried out earlier.
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JANUARY |
General Tasks:
- Repair fences, sheds, paths etc.
- Paint/oil garden furniture, benches, fence posts, sheds etc. on warm/dry days or indoors (barn or shed)
- Service machinery, clean mower, strimmer, sharpen and oil blades, clean tools
- Tidy up sheds, barns, garage and storage
- Prepare veg patch and beds, weed, rotavate, double dig, mulch, manure etc.
- Renovate garden areas and beds
- Mulch borders and veg patch
- Tidy up woodland, hire arborist
- Top up bark chips on paths
Turf & Lawns:
- Lawns can be very soft and wet, keep tread to a minimum.
Trees, shrubs and climbers:
- Shake snow off to avoid damage to plants
- Prune Wisteria
- Prune hard hedges and shrubs that have outgrown their space (Corylus, Cornus, Hypericum, Potentilla)
- Rejuvenate in stages Forsythia, Viburnum
- Trees and shrubs can be still moved as long as ground is frostfree
- Coppice hazel
Herbaceous Perennials:
- Order and purchase seeds
- Last chance to cut down herbaceous perennials
- Cut all leaves of Helleborus if not yet done, prevents the spread of blackspot fungus and shows off the flowers
- Cut down deciduous grasses (Miscanthus etc.) that have been left over winter, or burn for invigoration
Patio:
- Check plant pots for watering
- Deadhead Viola
- Protect plants from frost
Veg and Herbs:
- Organise the crop rotation for the coming season
- Purchase seeds for the season to come
- Cover beds with black plastic to raise soil temperature for early sowings
- Harvest leek and brussel sprouts
- Force rhubarb, also can be divided now
- Plant garlic and shallot sets if not yet done
Fruits:
- Prune apple and pear trees
- Prune vine and fig in mild climates only
- Cut back raspberries and black currants if not yet done
- Shake snow off fruit cage and netting to prevent damage
Under Glass:
- Keep snow off the roof and brush off polyhouses to prevent damage
- Wash pots and sort to sizes
- Force rhubarb, chicory and strawberries
- Use up stored fruit and veg
- Early sowings of veg and flowers possible if greenhouse is heated
Pond:
- Prevent pond freezing, keep breathing hole if you have fish
- Plan a new installation
FEBRUARY |
General Tasks:
- Finish digging and mulching beds
- Create new beds
- Purchase seedlings or plug plants
- Purchase summerflowering bulbs
- Plant trees, shrubs and perennials
- Top up bark chips on paths
- Hire arborist
Turf & Lawns:
- Best to still keep off lawns, use planks if needed be to protect the turf
- If it has been a mild winter and grass has been growing do the first cut (keep long), beware of the soft ground not to leave marks
- Prepare areas for sowing grass seeds
Trees, shrubs and climbers:
- Shake snow off to avoid damage to plants
- Prune hard hedges and shrubs that have outgrown their space (Corylus, Cornus, Hypericum, Potentilla)
- Rejuvenate in stages Forsythia, Viburnum, Callicarpa (when frostfree)
- Trees and shrubs can be still moved as long as ground is frostfree
- Prune late flowering Clematis if needed
- Prune Campsis radicans
- Prune hard Cotinus and Prunus laurocerasus
- Coppice hazel
Herbaceous Perennials
- In warm and dry conditions plant bulbs and Primula
- Plant Convolvulus majalis
- Cut down deciduous grasses (Miscanthus etc.) that have been left over winter, or burn for invigoration
- Sow sweetpeas in pots and place in cold frame, protect from frost
- Tidy up ferns
Patio:
- Do not plant the spring display yet, there might be still frost coming
- Plant Primula when nights get warmer
- Clean and deadhead Viola
- Exchange compost in all-year tubs
Veg and Herbs:
- Cover beds with black plastic to raise soil temperature for early sowings
- Cover first sowings with fleece
- Purchase and chit seed potatoes
- Mulch/manure and rotavate veg patch
- Plant Jerusalem artichokes and onion sets
- Pot on herbs in pots into fresh compost
- Harvest leek and brussel sprouts
Fruits:
- Prune apple and pear trees if not yet done
- Cover strawberries with fleece for early fruits
- Prune vine and fig in mild areas only
- Cut back raspberries and black currants
- Shake snow off fruit cage and netting
- Plant bare-rooted plants
Under Glass:
- Sow Begonia und Busy Lizzy
- Open vents on warm days
- Sow pots of early veg (leeks, peas, beans, onions and carrots)
- Purchase and chit potatoes
- Spray Fuchsia with water to encourage budding
Pond:
- Prevent from freezing if you have fish
- Build new pond or water feature
MARCH |
General Tasks:
- Last chance for spring clean: weed, dig/rotavate and mulch if not yet done
- Divide perennials
- Clear path from weeds, moss and algae with pressure washer
- Order Nematodes (natural enemy to vine weevil and slugs) so it is in stock when needed
- Protect early emerging buds and seedlings with cloches or fleece
Turf & Lawns:
- Level mole hills and re-seed
- First proper cut on lawns
- Renovate edges
- Lay turf
- Purchase spring feed
Trees, shrubs and climbers:
- Plant pot-grown plants ie. shrubs and roses
- Prune roses, Salix, Buddleja davidii, Hypericum, Eucalyptus, fig and coloured-stemmed Cornus and Rubus
- Move deciduous shrubs and trees
- Plant bare-rooted material before shooting
- Prepare large deciduous trees or shrubs for moving next year by digging a trench around the rootball and filling it with leaf mould to encourage root growth
- Renovate overgrown climbers (Stauntonia, Trachelospermum etc.)
- Prune Phlomis, Salvia and Lavandula
Herbaceous Perennials:
- Tidy up alpine and rock gardens
- Sow wild flowers
- Plant summerflowering bulbs (Allium, Gladiolus, Lillium)
- Divide perennials
- Move and divide snowdrops as long as they are still in leaf
- Deadhead daffodils before setting seed to conserve energy for next season
Patio:
- Scrub patios and paths or wash with pressure washer to remove dirt and algae
- Plant out the spring display
Veg and Herbs:
- Prepare the last beds (rotavate and mulch)
- Purchase and chit seed potatoes
- Sow early crops of spinach, broad beans, carrots, beetroot, chard, onions, parsnip, leek and radish if mild
- Sow tender veg like salad and peas under cover
- Sow in pots: brassicas, french beans and sunflowers
- Plant sets of onions and plugs of artichokes, brassicas
- Plant early potatoes (watch potential frost !)
- Prepare Asparagus beds (mulch)
- Harvest the very last brussel sprouts and leek, remove all plant material and mulch
- Plant hardy herbs
Fruits:
- Spring clean fruit cage and orchard: weed and mulch
- Plant any new rhubarb or strawberries
- Plant out pot-grown fruit trees and strawberries, keep watered
- very last chance to prune apple and pear trees before shooting
- Protect early flowers with fleece from frost or use antifreeze-irrigation
- If need be manually pollinate peaches and apricots under glass
Under Glass:
- Clean greenhouse and wash the glass panels
- Keep heating but be modest with watering
- Sow tomatoes, chillies, peppers and aubergines on heated bench
- Sow annuals, sweetpeas, basil and parsley in pots
- Pot on plug plants purchased from the gardencentre
- Plant Begonia, Gloxinia, Canna and Dahlia in the greenhouse (outdoors only when frostfree !)
- Spray cacti and succulents with water
- Water tender perennials and fuchsias thoroughly
- Keep strawberries watered, hand-pollinate if needed
Pond:
- Lift any nets, clean and dry before storing them
- Service and repair fountains, pumps, filter and lighting
- Only feed fish when active on warm days
APRIL |
General Tasks:
- Keep weeds under control, potentially spray them off on paths and gravel
- Fertilize roses
- Plant potatoes
- Sow seeds
Turf & Lawns:
- Feed lawns on warm days when rain is forecasted to wash it in
- Scarify lawns to reduce moss
- Spray off weeds with selective weedkiller
- Mow every two weeks depending on growth
- Sow grass seed on new areas or fill bald patches
- Lay turf
Trees, shrubs and climbers:
- Move evergreen trees and shrubs (box, conifers, bay leaf)
- Fertilize acid-loving plants like Rhododendron and Azalea
- Prune Jasminum nudiflorum and Hydrangeas
- Tie in young shoots of climbers
- Plant out pot-grown woody plants
- Purchase hedging plants and plant them
- Prune tender shrubs and trees
- Prune Phlomis, Salvia and Lavandula if not yet done
Herbaceous Perennials:
- Deadhead daffodils before setting seed to conserve energy for next season
- Only cut/remove foliage of bulbs when gone yellow (daffodils, snowdrops, Crocus etc.)
- Keep dividing perennials
- Plant Dahlias and Cannas when frostfree
- Replant and fill gaps in rock and alpine gardens, mulch with a fresh layer of gravel
- Plant out seedlings of hardy annuals or sow direct now
- Remove frost protection gradually
Patio:
- Pot on spring flowers and summerflowering plants
- Pot on evergreen dwarf conifers
- Plant troughs and balcony planters
Veg and Herbs:
- Water in dry spells
- Keep weedfree !
- Sow directly or in pots now: broad beans, brussel sprouts, peas, cauliflower, broccoli, beetroot, leek, radish, kohlrabi, salad, spinach, parsnip, chard, chicory, carrots and onions
- Plant potatoes
- Plant new asparagus and artichokes crowns
- Sow fresh herbs
Fruits:
- Plant strawberries if not done yet
- Plant vines and figs and tie in new shoots
- Fertilize currants and blackberries
- Prune cherries, plums, peaches, figs and apricots
Under Glass:
- Vent greenhouse on warm sunny days, close vents in the afternoon to keep warmth into the night
- On warm and sunny days move tender plants outside for short periods to gradually harden them off
- Prick out seedlings
- Pot on Begonia and Gloxinia
- Propagate Hydrangea via cuttings
- Prepare Amaryllis and Cyclamen für their dormancy
- Sow tomatoes
- Sow tender veg into pots: sweetcorn, green beans, pumpkin and courgette
- Fertilize strawberries and if needed pollinate manually
- Thin out veg seedlings
Pond:
- Divide overgrown plants or replant pond
- Only feed fish when active on warm days
MAY |
General Tasks:
- Prepare areas for bedding plants
- Plant out bedding plants and Dahlia, sweetpea, tender veg and exotic plants
- Keep weeding !
- Stake perennials
- Check for pest and diseases and act accordingly
Turf & Lawns:
- Feed lawns if not done in April
- Remove broadleaf weeds
- Cut grass every week, depending on growth
Trees, shrubs and climbers:
- Prune Forsythia and Ribes sanguineum after flowering to rejuvenate or increase flowering for next season
- Tie in young shoots of climbers
- Remove reversed (green) shoots on variegated plants
- Harden off tender exotic plants to grow outdoors over the summer months
- Prune topiary like Buxus, Carpinus, Fagus, Cupressus or Thuja
Herbaceous Perennials:
- Stake perennials to support their heavy flowers in summer
- Divide Primula after flowering
- Plant out Dahlias and other exotic tender plants
- Sow perennial seeds
- Cut back spring flowering groundcover like Alyssum, Arabis, Aubrieta
- Deadhead flowers of spring flowering bulbs (Camassia etc.) and fertilize for a good bloom next season
- Plant out sweetpeas and tie in young shoots
Patio:
- Overwintered pots in Orangerie or conservatory can be moved outdoors. Monitor frost forecast if you live in colder areas
- Plant patio pots and troughs
- Check daily if watering is required
Veg and Herbs:
- Keep veg well watered
- Sow successions of beetroot, carrots, brassicas, cauliflower, peas, radish, salad and chives
- Sow directly: beans, sweetcorn, courgette and pumpkin
- Sow chicory
- Plant out brassica and cover with butterfly net to prevent damage
- Plant leek seedlings
- Harden off tender veg and plant out
- Earth up potatoes
- Plant main crop potatoes if not yet done
- Harvest Asparagus
Fruits:
- Water softfruits well to keep them juicy
- Water new plantings
- Protect strawberries from birds (netting) and Botrytis (mould)
Under Glass:
- Keep greenhouse well aerated
- Install shade netting or apply paint
- Prick out seedlings and pot on
- Harden of young bedding plants or tender plants and move outdoors temporarily
- Take cuttings of Pelargonia, Fuchsia and other tender plants (can be propagated until September)
- Plant tomatoes, peppers, chillies, aubergines, melons and cucumbers
- Check daily to water, tie in shoots and if fertilizer needs to be given
Pond:
- Surface plants can move in
- Water lily can be divided or planted
- Remove pond weeds and undesired plants
- New fish can move in
JUNE |
General Tasks:
- Water plants
- Stake perennials
- Deadhead any spent flowers
- Weeding!
- Check for pests and diseases and act accordingly
Turf & Lawns:
- Mow weekly
- Water new lawns
- Use liquid fertilizer for a quick boost on poorly lawns
Trees, shrubs and climbers:
- Propagate roses and shrubs via cuttings
- Remove water shoots of roses (break them off is better than cutting off !)
- Tie in new shoots of climbers and roses
- Propagate Clematis via rooted runners
- Remove spent flowers of Rhododendron
- Clip vigourous hedges like Ligustrum, Lonicera (mind birds nesting!!)
- Clip box topiary and fertilize
Herbaceous Perennials:
- Stake perennials to support their heavy flowers
- Lift tulips and hyacinths as soon as leaves collaps and turn yellow. Dry bulbs can be stored in cool, dark places until autumn
- Tidy up perennials after flowering for a second flush
- Plant out bedding plants
- Plant Cannas and lillies out if not yet done
- Sow biennials and fast growing annuals for late autumn interest
- Sow spring flowering plants in the greenhouse
- Propagate short-lived plants like Salvia, Lavandula and Dianthus via cuttings
Patio:
- All pots can live outdoors now as no risk of late frosts anymore
- Still able to plant pots and troughs
- Feed pots weekly for best results
- Check watering daily
- Remove spent flowers
Veg and Herbs:
- Keep veg watered
- Sow successions of salad, chinese leaf, carrot, sweetcorn, beans, courgettes, pumpkin, chicory and chives
- Move tender veg outdoors
- Plant leek seedling outdoors
- Plant brassica and cover with butterfly net
- Harvest salad, radish and chives
- Last chance to pick some Asparagus if any left
Fruits:
- Water in dry spells
- Thin fruits of plums, apple and pears if too congested
- Train espaliers, tie in shoots, thin out etc.
- Protect strawberries from birds (netting) and Botrytis (mould)
- First harvest of unforced rhubarb and strawberries possible
Under Glass:
- Keep greenhouse well aerated on hot days
- Spray water regularly to cool plants down
- Apply second coat of shading if necessary
- Water and fertilize plants regularly (daily)
- Pot on rooted cuttings
- Propagate cuttings of Pelargonia and Fuchsia
- Pinch tomatoes and fertilize weekly for best crop
- Pollinate melons
Pond:
- Remove unwanted plants, weeds and algae
- Add new fish
JULY |
General Tasks:
- Prepare garden for potential holiday absence
- Install automatic irrigation systems
- Harvest fruit and veg
- Fertilize greenhouse plants
- Water regularly and throroughly
- Remove weeds
- Cut down wild flower meadow after seeds have dropped
- Check for pests and diseases and act accordingly
Turf & Lawns:
- Leave grass a little longer to keep greener in the summer heat. Short grass will soon go brown, requiring many gallons of water to revive
- Do not water lawns unless prolonged drought, this keeps the grass more resilient.
Trees, shrubs and climbers:
- Deadhead roses and shorten shoots after flowering
- Harvest lavender and dry
- Prune Philadelphus, Deutzia and Wisteria
- Take cuttings of shrubs
- Clip vigourous hedges like Ligustrum, Lonicera (mind birds nesting!!)
- Prune Magnolia now
Herbaceous Perennials:
- Deadhead spent flowers on perennials and roses
- Cut off flowers spikes of Lupinus, Delphinium and Aconitum
- Divide exhausted Iris rhizomes to rejuvenate
- Fertilize perennial borders
- Harvest seeds of alpines, perennials and Cyclamen, dry and store appropiately
- Plant autumn flowering bulbs like Colchicum
- Water and deadhead annuals regularly to keep fresh and neat
- Pinch out buds of Begonia
Patio:
- Water, fertilize and deadhead plants in pots regularly
Veg and Herbs:
- Sow successions of carrots, peas, spring cabbage, kohlrabi, salad, radish and chicory
- Keep watered during dry spells
- Harvest veg as soon as ready, however, root veg (potato, carrot, parsnip) last longer when kept in the ground. Check for slug!
- Harvest herbs, process and freeze them for the winter months
Fruits:
- Water during dry spells
- Tidy strawberries, remove runners and replant for next year
- Harvest raspberries, currants and gooseberries
- Thin fruits if too crowded/congested
Under Glass:
- Water plants daily
- Ensure greenhouse is vented
- Spray surfaces regularly to cool down
- Add another layer of shading if necessary
- Prick out seedlings of biennials and winterflowering plants
- Plant winterflowering Cyclamen and water lightly to encourage growth
- Harvest fruit and veg from the greenhouse
- Fertilize more regularly as plants grow faster
Pond:
- Ensure pond is well aerated (install fountain and remove algae) as hot temperatures will reduce oxygen in water
- Replenish water that has evaporated
- Divide water lilies
AUGUST |
General Tasks:
- Water and fertilize regularly, especially newly planted shrubs or trees, plant pots, greenhouse plants and veg
- Weed and spray off paths
- Deadhead flowers
- Harvest seeds of annuals and biennials
- Stock up on multi-purpose compost, pots and trays
- Check for vine weevil and use pesticide if necessary
Turf & Lawns:
- Cut regularly but do not water or fertilize
- Purchase autumn lawn feed
Trees, shrubs and climbers:
- Water and fertilize Camellia and Rhododendron if not enough rain
- Prune Pyracantha
- Clip Buxus-, Carpinus-, Fagus- and Cupressus-hedges later this month. Check for nesting birds first !!
- Last chance to prune summerflowering shrubs like Philadelphus, Deutzia etc.
- Last chance to prune Wisteria
- Deadhead roses
- Propagate Lavandula, Rosmarinus and Salvia via semi-ripe cuttings
- Propagate Clematis and Rhododendron via rooted runners
- Cut yew hedges now
- Clip box topiary and hedges on cooler days
- Prune birch to avoid bleeding
- Last chance to prune Magnolia
Herbaceous Perennials:
- Collect seeds of perennials, annuals, biennials, shrubs and trees
- Pot on seedlings
- Plant autumn flowering bulbs like Colchicum
- Divide exhausted Iris rhizomes to rejuvenate
- Take cuttings of alpines
- Divide bananas
- Deadhead Dahlia
Patio:
- Water, fertilize and deadhead plants in pots regularly
Veg and Herbs:
- Harvest beans, salad, courgette, beetroot, onions, early potatoes, tomatoes and artichokes
- Sow successions of peas, leeks, spinach and spring cabbage
- Harvest herbs and freeze
- Propagate herbs via cuttings
- Clip thyme and rosmary to keep bushy
- Pinch out tomatoes to stop top growth
Fruits:
- Prune gooseberries, currants and summer fruiting raspeberries after harvesting all fruit
- Harvest blackberries, apricots, peaches and raspberries
- Remove strawberry runners and pot up
Under Glass:
- Water plants daily
- Ensure greenhouse is vented
- Spray surfaces regularly to cool down
- Take cuttings of Pelargonia and Fuchsia
- Sow spring bedding plants
- Plant or pot Hyazinths now for flowering at christmas
- Remove yellow leaves of tomatoes, pinch out sideshoots and keep fertilized
- Harvest tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, aubergine, melon and chilli
Pond:
- Remove yellow and brown leaves of water lily, also remove leaves that are too big
- Ensure pond is well aerated (install fountain and remove algae) as hot temperatures will reduce oxygen in water
- Replenish water that has evaporated
- Remove algae
SEPTEMBER |
General Tasks:
- Water if required, deadhead flowers
- Weed and spray off paths
- Organise compost bays for the soon coming autumn leaves
- Birds have finished nesting, so all hedges can be cut now
Turf & Lawns:
- Aerate and apply autumn feed to lawns after the dry summer heat
- Repair poor patches
- Sow grass later this month
- Do not lay turf until October
Trees, shrubs and climbers:
- Plant or move evergreens and conifers
- Prune roses after flowering
- Cut hedges like Buxus, Carpinus, Fagus, Cupressus etc.
- Clip box topiary and hedges if not yet done
- Last chance to cut Liguster and Lonicera hedges this year
Herbaceous Perennials:
- Cut down plants that have gone brown and finished for the season
- Deadhead Dahlia
- Collect seeds
Patio:
- Plant winterflowering bulbs (Galanthus etc.)
- Stop fertilizing pots
- Jet wash patio and paved paths
- Move tender plants into sheltered spots or protect from frost with fleece
Veg and Herbs:
- Sow spring cabbages
- Take butterfly netting off brassicas
- Harvest courgette, sweetcorn, beans, salad, chives, cauliflower, potato, onion, garlic, brassicas and artichoke
- Keep immature tomatoes on the plants to ripen on windowsill when it gets colder
- Cut down Asparagus when gone yellow
- Pot up tender herbs like basil and parsley to go indoors later
Fruits:
- Harvest blackberries and autumn raspberries, first harvest of apples and Conference pears
Under Glass:
- Reduce watering and feeding
- Move tender plants into greenhouse over night
- Pot up springflowering bulbs
- Sow annuals for early spring display
- Reduce watering of tomato, courgette, cucumber, aubergine etc. Do not feed anymore and remove plants as soon as they have finished to make space for tender plants in greenhouse
Pond:
- Feed fish until first frost
- Last chance to remove algae this year
OCTOBER |
General Tasks:
- Tidy up beds: cut down finished plants, deadhead spent flowers
- Planting season starts
- Strim wild areas in woodland or meadow
- Rotavate wild flower meadow and/or remove grass
- Purchase springflowering bulbs like tulips, daffodils and Scilla
Turf & Lawns:
- Lay turf now
- Cut grass less
- Apply autumn feed to lawns if not yet done
- Collect leaves regularly to prevent lawns from turning yellow
Trees, shrubs and climbers:
- Plant trees and shrubs
- Plant bare rooted material only when fully dormant (all leaves have dropped)
- Stake new plants to prevent wind rock
- Cut 1/3 of Buddleja and similar shrubs
- Prune late flowering roses
- Propagate roses (not all roses work) via hardwood cuttings
- Pot on rooted cuttings taken in summer
- Clip hedges
Herbaceous Perennials:
- Collect leaves of the bed and plants to prevent mould and fungus growth
- Lift tender plants, bulbs and tubers to store frostfree over winter
- Plant Tulipa and Narcissus
- Cut down herbaceous perennials unless seedpods wanted for winter decoration
- Divide and move herbaceous plants
- Collect and dry seeds
Patio:
- Keep pots moist but water sparingly
- Remove gone off foliage to prevent mould
- Replace summer display with winter display
- Jet wash patio and paths on warmer days
Veg and Herbs:
- Harvest leek, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, potato, carrots, parsnip and pumpkin
- Harvest apples and pears and store them cool and dark
- Harvest the last raspberries
- Protect salad with fleece to extend season
- Dig beds when everything has been harvested and removed
- Cut down Asparagus
- Lift all remaining potatoes and store
- Sow winter green manure (yellow mustard, field beans etc.)
- Purchase garlic and shallot sets if not yet done
- Plant out spring cabbages, shallots and garlic sets
- Remove yellow leaves of cabbage
- Lift chicory and force in dark place
- Pot up herbs to go indoors
- Last chance to pot up strawberry runners
- Sow another succession of broad beans
Fruits:
- Plant fresh strawberry plants (runners) if soil is still warmish
- Harvest apples and pears and store
- Prepare areas (dig and mulch) for planting in a couple of weeks
- Prune blackberries
Under Glass:
- Prepare greenhouse for the cold season, tidy up, remove shading paint and install heating system
- Move tender plants into greenhouse
- Reduce watering as nights get cooler and growth slows down
- Sow early flowering annuals
- Pot up tulips and hyacinths
- Sow winter veg in greenhouse (spinach, chives, carrots)
Pond:
- Tidy up pond, remove algae, dead plant material, sludge from the bottom etc.
- Cover with net to prevent autumn leaves messing up pond
NOVEMBER |
General Tasks:
- Dig over beds
- Prepare for the cold season: tidy up, clean toold, sharpen and oil blades, service machinery, gather rubbish
- Collect all hose pipes, drain and store frostfree
- Stock up on compost, pots etc. if not yet done
Turf & Lawns:
- Last cut if still growing but keep longer
- Collect leaves and clear lawns
- Sow grass seeds or lay turf
Trees, shrubs and climbers:
- Plant new plants whether pot-grown or bare rooted
- Stake newly planted trees to prevent wind rock
- Propagate by hardwood cuttings after leaves have dropped (Salix, Cornus, Forsythia etc.)
- Sow hardy plants now and expose to frost to break dormancy
Herbaceous Perennials:
- Cut down herbaceous perennials unless seedpods wanted for winter decoration
- Plant tulips and hyacinths if not yet done
- Lift and divide perennials
- Lift Dahlias after hit by first frost
- Plant lilies
- Collect leaves off plants
- Cut leaves of Helleborus to avoid blackspot fungus, also time to divide clumps
Patio:
- Protect pots from constant rain and strong winds
Veg and Herbs:
- Organise crop rotation
- Clear beds and dig/rotavate
- Plant garlic and shallot sets
- Force chicory
- Harvest leek, winter cabbage and brussel sprouts
- Lift all carrots and parsnips to be stored cold but frostfree
- Sow directly another succesion of broad beans for early spring harvest
Fruits:
- Plant summerfruiting raspberries
- Check fruits in storage if mouldy
Under Glass:
- Open vents on warm days but retain warmth for the night
- Reduce watering to minimum
- Check potted bulbs, move indoors as soon as the bud shows colour
- Sow hardy plants
- Check plant material for mould and fungal diseases
Pond:
- Clean pumps and filters
- Check lighting, wires and fountains, protect from frost
DECEMBER |
General Tasks:
- Dig beds as long as frostfree
- Let frost break down empty beds, dig every other week
- Plan new designs or renovation projects
- Collect the last leaves
- Service machinery, clean mowers, strimmers, sharpen and oil blades and tools
- Tidy up sheds, barns, garage
- Wash and sort pots
Turf & Lawns:
- Try and keep off lawns in wet weather
- Collect leaves so grass does not turn yellow
- Repair lawns if frostfree
Trees, shrubs and climbers:
- Move trees and shrubs if ground is frostfree
- Stake newly planted trees to prevent wind rock
- Rejuvenate shrubs
- Cut branches for winter decoration (hazel, birch, dogwood, willow)
- Organise christmas tree
- Hire arborist
Herbaceous Perennials:
- Collect decorative seedheads
- Sow hardy plant seeds
- Cut down herbaceous perennials unless seedpods wanted for winter decoration
- Divide and mulch Helleborus, cut off foliage
- Clear areas where snowdrops are soon showing, potentially mulch with bark chips
Patio:
- Protect pots and troughs from soggy winter rains
- Plant christmas display
Veg and Herbs:
- Force chicory
- Force rhubarb, also can be divided now
- Plant garlic and shallot sets
- Harvest leek and brussel sprout
- Store harvested fruit and veg frostfree
Fruits:
- Use up stored fruit and veg before getting mouldy
Under Glass:
- Check plant material for mould and fungal diseases
Pond:
- Prevent pond from freezing if you have fish, do not smach ice as the noise can harm fish
- Create breathing hole for fish and other water creatures