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The last episode of Gardeners’ World always has an air of melancholy about it.
When Monty says ‘see you in spring’ it’s as reassuring as the ‘please don’t have nightmares’ line after watching Crimewatch as a child.
There are always jobs to be done in the garden and November is a great time to be looking forward and overcoming any thoughts of a gothic winter.
Getting out in the garden beats the blues and warmer temperatures in the UK make this season shorter.
Flowers are blooming for longer, lawns need cutting more and something can be planted all year round.
With that in mind, growing seeds under glass effectively keeps the magic of gardening going 12 months a year.
In real terms, winter here is mild and quite often dry, so there is ample opportunity to garden almost every day if that’s your passion.
In 12 short weeks we’ll all be looking at daffodils, crocuses and tulips.
But even a month before that we can get the odd warm spring day marvelling at the pastel resilience of primroses.
If you have a greenhouse or cold frame, then you are fortunate enough not to have to cobble one together.
Making one from reclaimed items is simple and straightforward even for a ham-fisted handyman like me.
Hellebores, geraniums, hosta and Japanese anemone can all be sown from seed now just like sweet peas.
Cactus and banana plants can also be grown indoors too.
All these will save you a small fortune were you to buy them in spring, so its worth creating a frost-free growing area.
You might also want to take some winter cuttings to grow on.
Hardwoods like buddleia, winter jasmine and robes sanguineum will all do well in sandy soil as cuttings.
Cut them on the angle with sharp secateurs and simply keep them watered in the soil where they will develop roots in a few weeks.
Don’t be tempted to pull them up and have a look, just let nature do the work.
On the plot
There are even more opportunities for growing on the plot than in the flower patch in the cooler months.
Plant new fruit bushes of your choice or take a few blackcurrant cuttings as above and place the sticks in the ground to form roots and fruit next summer.
Don’t overlook pruning the herb garden. Parsley can be cut right back to ground level, basil can be brought in and kept above 5C and kept damp. Prune evergreen herbs into a ball.
Removing the flowers will protect them from the worst winter has to offer.
If you’re unsure or want to eradicate all risk, dig them out and pot them up inside for intensive care under a watchful eye.
Sow some shallots in multi-purpose compost just beneath the surface.
This will help you deter the inquisitive blackbirds from plucking them out when planted outdoors in spring as they will have strong roots in place by then.
Harden them off by getting them slowly used to colder temperatures in the daytime when the shoots are established.
These are great pickled with a few home-grown chillies dropped in.
This is a great example of planning ahead as they will keep for months and still be delighting you in over a year’s time.
Keep putting food out for the birds so they don’t have to eat what you’ve got growing.
Now the leaves are dropping they are easier to spot and provide fascinating garden interest until the trees are less bare.
Having read so much recently about how depressing winter can be, I’m determined to show what I see as the reality of gardening in winter now global warming is starting to affect us.
Sure the days are shorter, but it’s not exactly Gotham City icicle works out there most days.
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