Gardeners have been issued a reminder about a vital job that will help keep their plants alive over the winter. Experts from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) have shared their tips on important jobs to get done in November.
Without it your plants could become waterlogged and die. On the RHS website it urges people to “raise pots up off” the ground.
In its list of “top gardening jobs this month” it said: “Raise containers onto pot feet to prevent waterlogging. In wet weather, raise pots up off the ground on ‘feet’ or similar to keep the bottom of the pot out of standing water.”
The RHS warned that these plants can easily get too wet and advised against overwatering.
It said: “Due to their restricted root area, container plants rely on us to provide the water they need, and to take steps to make sure they aren’t getting too wet.”
It continued: “Overwatering is the most common cause of loss of container plants; watering should aim to keep the compost moist, never soggy and avoid alternating dryness and saturation.
“Plants grown in containers suffer from many of the same ailments as those grown in beds and borders, such as aphids, algae, liverworts and moss, scale insects and vine weevils.”
If you think water is not draining out freely from these containers you should, “check the drainage holes for a blockage and assess compost structure”.
General tips for watering container plants in the winter are:
- Watering may still be necessary for conifers and other evergreens, especially if you have moved them under cover where they receive no rain. Check evergreens and conifers at least weekly and water if needed
- Watering is seldom necessary for deciduous or other dormant plants
- Avoid watering if frost is forecast
The RHS added that in winter, the “main danger” is compost freezing, which may kill plants.
Therefore, you should follow this advice:
- Protect pots with biodegradable fleece or bring them under temporary cover
- In very wet periods move plants under temporary cover if the compost becomes sodden, until it has dried out a little. The “rain shadow” of walls can be sufficient
- Remove saucers in winter
Other jobs the RHS listed for November include:
- Clear fallen leaves from ponds and lawns
- Plant tulip bulbs for a spring display next year
- Start winter rose pruning early
- Sow some sweet peas indoors
- Insulate outdoor containers from frost – hessian sacking or re-used bubblewrap work well
- Put out bird food to encourage winter birds into the garden
- Add winter bedding plants such as heathers and pansies to brighten up pots and containers
- Cover brassicas with re-used netting if pigeons are a problem
For more information, visit the RHS website here.
