What to sow in November
- You can still sow overwintering broad beans. They’ll establish before the cold sets in and give you an early crop next year.
- Peas such as Douce Provence or Meteor can be sown under cover. They can be sown outside too, but only in mild areas where frost risk is low.
- November is an excellent month to buy and plant new fruit trees and bushes. The soil is still warm enough for roots to settle in, but avoid planting if the ground is frosted or waterlogged — it’s better to wait than risk poor establishment.
What to do in November
- Thin out congested spurs on trained fruit trees to improve airflow and fruiting next year.
- Prune apples, pears, quinces and medlars while they’re dormant. This is the ideal time for shaping and removing dead or crossing branches.
- Prune red and white currants and gooseberries to maintain an open structure and encourage strong new growth.
- Leave parsnips in the ground until you need them — they actually taste sweeter after a good frost.
- Remove yellowing leaves on Brussels sprouts to reduce disease and improve airflow around the plants.
- Clear plant debris from beds and borders. This helps prevent pests and diseases overwintering in the soil or hiding in old stems.
- Clean and store bamboo canes somewhere dry so they’re in good condition for next year — damp storage encourages rot and weakens them.
