This Month in Your Garden - November

‘To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.’ – Audrey Hepburn

Whilst the weather is likely to become more settled after the first week of November it is almost certain to turn colder. Things are slowing down in the garden, but there is still plenty to do to create tomorrow’s garden. You can take that literally by planting out winter flowering annuals such as pansies for splashes of seasonal colour. Hellebores, Christmas roses, too, will brighten the dullest days.

The Lawncare Guide - November

A lawn unto yourself

No one is likely to spend much time on the lawn in November and through the winter. Indeed, if there’s frost or snow, the grass should not be walked on if possible because of the damage that can cause. But if the temperature is above 5º C, grass continues to grow and while the frequency will lessen, mowing may still be required. 

Lawn Care: Questions & Answers

Q. A friend has identified yarrow weed growing in my lawn. I have tried a weedkiller, but it doesn’t seem to work. 

The Vegetable Plot - November

Rotate and propagate

Just as with farming, the vegetable plot needs rotation, alternating crops of vegetable families to different areas each year. It is helpful to divide the plot into sections, so in year one section one may grow potatoes, section two Legumes, onions, roots and section three Brassicas. 

The Big Glut - November

 Pumpkin soup 

Tasty autumn warmer by Annie Rigg for BBC Food 

Ingredients

• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 bay leaf
• 25g/1oz unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium pumpkin (prepared weight about 850g/1lb 14oz) deseeded and roughly chopped
• 1 medium-sized floury potato, such as Maris Piper, roughly chopped
• 1 litre/1¾ pint vegetable or chicken stock, a little extra may be needed
• 100ml/3½fl oz double cream
• 3 tbsp pumpkin seeds
• salt and freshly ground black pepper