Jobs to do as winter approaches and the garden quietens. Rake up leaves on the lawn. Tie-in long whippy shoots of climbers and wall shrubs. Bare rooted roses can be planted now. Prune bush roses to prevent wind-rock and clear up any fallen rose leaves, especially if they suffered from black spot and rust, to reduce the chance of infection next year.
Plant tulip bulbs now, once other spring bulbs are in, thereby lessening their chance of being infected by the fungal disease Tulip blight. Fix grease bands on fruit trees to protect against winter moth. Spray peach and nectarine trees against peach leaf curl.
Plant garlic cloves and shallots. Lift and divide rhubarb crowns. Start winter pruning apple and pear trees. Parsnips can start to be harvested after the first frosts when their flavor will have been sweetened.
The first week in November is traditionally the time to make sowings of peas and broad beans. Prune Acer (maple) species now to avoid them bleeding from the cut stems once the sap rises in the spring. Keep feeding wild birds.
Note: Images taken by Jill Mayes
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