We’ve had our first frost and the autumnal leaf colours are at their peak. From here on until mid-December gardening for me is all about leaf clearing and having the right tools for the job certainly helps make life easier. Whilst I still can, I mow up leaves on the lawn and only use the leaf blower as a last resort, then for clearing leaves off the flower beds I couldn’t be without my Burgon and Ball shrub rake. I find if I have a dip at the edge of the flowerbed this becomes a leaf trap which makes clearing the leaves a much quicker job. They are available with a long and short handle and is one of my most used tools.
For picking up the leaves I use my Gardman Jumbo Leaf and Grass Scoop, which are brilliant. If I could only find something to hold open the jumbo bulk bags I’m filling that would be amazing, in the meantime though my children get that job when I can persuade them into the garden.
I am lucky enough in my garden to have a variety of environments for wildlife. There is a hedgerow with rhododendrons, laurel, viburnum tinus, virburnum opulus, my wild small woodland area which has a mix of evergreen and deciduous trees, a privet hedge and is full of spring bulbs like bluebells, daffodils and then I have the lawn edged with 2 long flowerbeds. In the wood and hedgerow areas I leave all the leaf litter as this provides habitats for wildlife, breaks down and enriches the soil. The flower beds will be left to dye back naturally with only minimal clearance every couple of weeks over the winter as this is what I look out on from the kitchen, with a proper clear up being done gradually late winter, early spring as new growth emerges.
After such a wet month, I spotted my Echinacea seed heads have started to sprout already, which is something I have never seen before. To make the most of these seedlings I have cut off the seed head and have potted it up and put it in the cold frame. If they continue to grow I will divide the seedlings when they get a bit bigger and pot on. You’ve got to love free plants.
Having spent the morning out in the garden clearing leaves there is nothing like having a walk around the garden to see what is changing. I unearthed some cyclamen coum and noticed lots of seedlings. Cyclamen are wonderful for autumn (Cyclamen hederifolium) or early spring (Cyclamen coum) flowers and so a few more were purchased from Longacres this month. Some cyclamen hederifolium tubers have been planted under a large beech tree to add some early autumn colour next year and some tender cyclamen replaced the chrysanthemum that was by the front door for some late colour.
November is a great time to plan for next year. Inspired by a friend and her number of spring bulbs in pots I have ended up buying more bulb pots and bulbs to plant up for the patio. For the first time, I’ve used RHS Horticultural potting grit and bought these handy size bags from Longacres which are perfect for a small number of pots. It certainly helps relieve the back from lugging around the larger bags, although I now may have to go back for more as I’m loving the finished look and may well be planting up some bulbs as Christmas presents.
Talking of Christmas, gardening gifts are always a great idea for gardeners. Here are some ideas which you may like.
- Gardening diaries for keeping notes on plants, jobs to do etc.
- Gloves (Town & Country Mastergrip) which allow to do even the most delicate of gardening jobs
- Any Burgon & Ball hand tools, I’ll be adding the compost scoop to my wish list this year
- Burgon & Ball neon hand tools are great for those who tend to lose their hand tools in the flowerbeds or for teenagers who are interested in gardening, available in neon pink or neon yellow.
- Burgon and Ball Folding pruning saw – winter is a great time for seeing the shape of a tree without its leaves on and this saw is perfect for cutting smaller branches.
A trip to Longacres is a must at this time of year. Gardening products at such great prices and an amazing venue for Christmas shopping and seeing Father Christmas. A wonderful place to visit and something for everyone.
My favourite part about this time of year is taking the time to take a closer look in your garden or whilst out on a walk, you’ll see so much new life is already underway it gives hope and something to look forward to next year. No wonder gardening is so good for your soul.
