Gardeners can ensure their spring garden is in top condition by following some key steps this winter as one TikTok user revealed what gardeners should know for November
Gardeners should avoid resting on their laurels this November, as an expert explained the key things people need to do now to ensure a healthy garden.
TikTok user Michael, known as ‘themediterraneangardener’ to his 250,000 followers, shared his top gardening tasks for this month. It includes which bulbs are best to plant, what to do with leaves and empty plant pots and other garden repairs. Tulips can be planted at this time of the year, Michael said. “It is finally time to plant tulips and lasagnes pots and borders and you will want to lift dahlia tubers and store them in a dry, frost-proof place.”
Another TikTok user also said “September to November” is the best time to plant tulips. TikTok user ‘plant_daddyuk’ said in a post on October 15, the TikTok star said that tulips are one of the best flowers to plant at this time of year. BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine also said tulips are “perfect for adding colour to borders in April and May and grow very well in pots”.
The magazine advised: “Tulips are spring bulbs, planted in mid to late autumn. Tulips are technically perennial, but years of breeding to get the most beautiful blooms means that many varieties only flower reliably for one year. Many gardeners plant new bulbs each autumn to ensure a good display. If you’re growing tulips in pots, you need to plant fresh bulbs each year.”
Further gardening tips shared by ‘themediterraneangardener’ suggest adding “some winter colour into” empty pots with “violas, heathers, conifers and hardy tub plants.” Falling leaves should also be collected, Michael explained.
“As the leaves fall you want to collect them up off your lawns which you can keep and turn into leaf mould,” he said. “After you have collected the leaves, it is a good time to clean and pack up your outdoor furniture. Outdoor cushions will be damaged in freezing temperatures.”
You can carry out further farden maintenance by dealing with weeds, driveways and borders. “Dealing with them in autumn will reduce weed problems in spring,” Michael said. “Finally, cut down faded perennials that are looking tatty and mulch the surrounding soil,” he added.
Mulching is good for helping soil retain water. It also suppresses weeds and provides nutrients among other helpful uses. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) said: “Mulching is generally used to save water, suppress weeds and improve the soil around plants but it also gives your garden a neat, tidy appearance and can reduce the amount of time spent on tasks such as watering and weeding. Mulches help soil retain moisture in summer, rain to penetrate the soil in winter, prevent weeds from growing and protect the roots of plants in winter.”
