Keep raking up leaves from lawns and paths, and off the beds if they are laying thickly, if not they can be left for the worms to break them up and incorporate them into the soil.
Tie-in long whippy shoots of climbers and wall shrubs. Prune roses to prevent wind-rock and this is also the time to prune most deciduous trees, but a lot of deciduous ornamental grasses can be left until the spring.
Prune grapevines after leaf fall, but before the end of December to avoid ‘bleeding’ of sap.
Now is the ideal time to plant bare rooted plants, they need to be planted promptly, before they dry out. They can be heeled into the soil for a short period if conditions are not suitable for planting. Plant tulip bulbs now, once other spring bulbs are in, thereby lessening their chance of being infected by the fungal disease Tulip blight.
Keep overwintering brassicas covered with netting to prevent pigeon damage. Plant garlic cloves and shallots, (if not done last month). Lift and divide rhubarb crowns. Parsnips can start to be harvested after the first frosts when their flavour will have been sweetened.
The first week in November is traditionally the time to make sowings of peas and broad beans Start winter pruning apple and pear trees. Turf can still be laid now, providing the ground isn’t frozen but keep off lawns in wet weather to avoid compacting the soil.
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