His Garden for November 2006

This month I will sow a line of Broad Beans. I usually follow the method followed in January this year. However, a method I sometimes follow is to draw a drill with a rake approx. 3 inches deep, and sow the beans 6 or 7 “ apart as shown in photo below.

It is not too late to sow a line of early Peas. Please see October 06.

A line of Turnips will be sown in a well prepared seed bed. In drills ½ an inch deep, 8 or 9 inches between drills.

This month Spring Cabbage potted up last month, will be planted out. For method followed, please see September 06.

Spring Cabbage sown in tray in propagator in September 006, and placed in Grow House. Potted up.

I will not sow any more Spring Cabbage, until the Spring.

You will notice that some young plants, recently planted out. Have been damaged by caterpillars. I have found that as long as the hearts are not damaged, they will not come to, too much harm.

A dressing of well-rotted farmyard manure, four or five inches deep, will be applied to the Asparagus bed.

Pruning Gooseberry and Red Currants. Please refer to November 005.

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Below Gooseberry bush after pruning.

Black Currants.

I prune out as much old wood as possible. While leaving plenty of young wood. Which will carry the fruit.

Artichokes. Pleas refer to September 005.

I have planted Tulips and Daffodils and other bulbs this month. One can also, plant Polyanthus and Primroses.

I would lift Gladioli and Dahlias, and store in a dry frost free shed.

Roses can be planted this month.

When planting Roses, I dig a hole deep enough, so that the stems will be an inch or so above the bed, when the back filling is completed, the hole should be wide enough, so that the roots can be spread out as evenly as possible. Fork the bottom over. Fork in a fork full of well- rotted manure. Cover with enough soil, so that the roots do not come into contact with the manure, when positioning the bush. As I back fill, I lift the bush up and down slightly, as the first two or three inches of soil is filled in. This operation, helps to ensure that the soil falls evenly round the roots. As I continue to fill in, I lightly tread the soil in to make the bush firm. Then, spread two or tree handfuls of Bone meal over the area. Water in, then every other day, until the bush is established, depending up on the weather.

Roses. One can still prune Roses, to help to prevent wind rock. Please refer to photo last month.

Shrubs that have flowered can still be pruned, proved it is not frosty. Please see January 006.

However, I do not prune Hydrangeas until the Spring. As the dead flower heads, to some extent protect the buds from frost.

As I have mentioned in the past, these methods are a rule of thumb that I follow.

Please see December 05, regarding pruning Apples and Pears.