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. Prune Acer (maple) species now as well to avoid them bleeding from the cut stems once the sap rises in the spring.
Now is the ideal time to plant bare rooted plants.
Plant garlic cloves and shallots, (if not done last month). Lift and divide rhubarb crowns. The first week in November is traditionally the time to make sowings of peas and broad beans.
Start winter pruning apple and pear trees.. Stake top-heavy brassica and leafy green plants. Draw up some soil around the base of their stem to prevent wind from rocking the plant and causing damage to the roots. Tidy up your strawberry plants, cutting off any dead leaves and removing runners. Aerate your lawn now before winter sets in. Either use a lawn aerator or simply insert a garden fork at regular intervals and lean it back slightly to let air in. Continue to clear fallen leaves off the lawn to keep it healthy using a light rake. Set your lawn mower to a higher cut-height for winter.
Encourage hungry birds into your garden by investing in bird baths and bird feeders. Keep the feeders stocked up with peanuts, seeds and suet products. Leave the seedheads of herbaceous plants, such as fennel, Verbena bonariensis, teasel and echinacea, for birds such as house sparrows and goldfinches. Use the prunings and clippings of shrubby material to create a dry wildlife stack.
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