Country Images Magazine North Edition November 2017 | Page 48

Gardening November 2017 with Mark Smith O n my travels I’ve noticed the planting of liquidambar, mainly in new housing areas – I love this tree and I think it’s a more attractive tree than the usual mass planting of sorbus. Liquidambar is a beautiful tree for this time of year and well worth a look, however it needs a medium to large garden. Many more people are planting ornamental trees rather than fruiting trees this year. Have you got a space in the garden for a small growing tree? There are plenty of different varieties that are suitable for a modern small garden – they create a focal point that is evident all year round, especially if you choose a tree with attractive bark in the winter. A tree also provides a home for and encourages wildlife in the garden. It’s that time of year again…and I have already recommended to people if they have new plants to give a good thick layer of bark around the base of the plant normally twice as thick as you would for weed control. This acts as a good insulator against very hard frosts that kill very young roots, the frost penetrates the bark but no further. If you have a greenhouse try to keep as many tender plants as possible in there and make sure the greenhouse is well insulated with bubble wrap. Make sure your terracotta pots are raised off the floor with pot feet or simply garden stones, this will make sure there is air flow under the base of the pot and help against it cracking in cold weather. Felley Mill Fencing Garden Fencing Panels Traditional Fencing Trellis Posts & Accessories Equestrian Fencing Agricultural Fencing Metal Fencing Allotment or Vegetable Patch: • If you have not done so already, wrap grease bands around the trunks of fruit trees to protect them from winter moths, I tend to leave grease or bands on all year round to stop any crawling pests. • Many varieties of apples and pear will still be cropping. • Now is the time to plant soft fruit including gooseberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackcurrants and blackberries. • Or you could take hardwood cuttings for your soft fruit instead of buying plants. • Spread a thick layer of homemade compost or farmyard manure to dig into your soil over winter. • Make notes about how well the grow-your-own did this year, this will help for planning vegetable and fruit crops for next year. In the Greenhouse: • Insulate the greenhouse with bubble polythene, the large bubble wrap is the best. • Replace any old glass or polycarbonate with new panels. • Bring peaches or nectarines in pots inside the greenhouse for winter protection. Dispose of any old leaves around the base of the pot and remove any leaves still left on the tree. • Dispose of any capillary matting if it has seen better days and buy fresh – old matting can harbour disease. • Check heaters are working efficiently and buy fuel. • Check garden centres or nurseries to see if they have any special deals on greenhouses or cold frames etc. Buy one now ready for early next year. General Garden Maintenance: • Continue to spike lawns and brush sand and sulphate of iron into the holes to improve drainage which greens up, kills and prevents moss in lawns. Apply an autumn lawn food. • Remember it is bonfire night this month so check bonfires carefully before lighting, to make sure there are no sleeping hedgehogs underneath. • Wrap outside taps with insulation material to prevent them freezing. • Order bare roses, and prepare the soil well with homemade compost or composted manure before planting. • Collect and compost any fallen autumn leaves. • Take hard wood cuttings from cornus, ribes, salix and roses – please contact me for advice about certain plants and shrubs. Fully insured for: Felley Mill Fencing 12 Main Road, Underwood, Nottinghamshire, NG16 6GF Tel: [phone] Email: [email protected] 48 | CountryImagesMagazine.co.uk Tree Surgery, Hedge Cutti ng, Hedge Removal, Pruning, Landscaping Free Quotes Local, Reliable, Professional and Mature Businessman Please call Steve for advice and a free no-obligati on quotati on. T: 01773 856602 T: 01629 828101 M: 07739 834553 www.clipemandfellem.co.uk