November is an ideal time to plant bare-root trees and shrubs now they have become dormant, providing the ground is not waterlogged or frozen. It is also a good time to plant spring-flowering bulbs, before the wintery weather sets in. During the colder months, gardens provide important habitats for wildlife, so remember to fill up bird feeders and leave herbaceous perennials as they die back so the dead leaves, stems and seedheads can provide shelter for animals such as hibernating insects.
Monty is still busy in his garden this month, preparing the borders and vegetable beds for next year. In this collection of clips from BBC Gardeners’ World, he plants tulip and crocus bulbs, protects his crops from hungry pigeons and begins to transplant deciduous shrubs.
More advice from Monty:
- Autumn pruning with Monty
- Growing and caring for house plants with Monty
- Monty’s favourite plants for shade
Planting tulip bulbs in lawn
Tulips often don’t flower well in their second year or they don’t produce flowers at all. So Monty replants the biggest bulbs into grass to reuse them and make the most of any that might bloom again next spring.
Protecting veg beds from pigeons
Pigeons have become a problem in Monty’s garden, so he protects his cabbages from being eaten by netting his crops.
Digging up deciduous shrubs
Now that we are into the dormant period, Monty explains how to transplant deciduous shrubs as he digs up his spirea to move it from the writing garden.
Planting crocus bulbs
Monty plants crocus bulbs to create a colourful pollinator-friendly display in late winter and early spring, in this BBC Gardeners’ World clip.
