November Newsletter
- clairecharrie
- Nov 18
- 3 min read
Anyone else feeling the chill? We have been spoilt with a very mild November so far but we and our plants are about to get a shock as temperatures drop by over 10 degrees. Time to hunker down and start planning your garden layout for the next season and ordering seeds.
Here’s a quick guide on things to do in the garden in November
Protect from frost
Cover tender plants: Use fleece or plant jackets to protect tender plants from frost.
Insulate pots: Wrap pots in bubble wrap or place them on pot feet to protect from waterlogging and frost.
Bring some plants indoors: Bring potted herbs like parsley and chives inside to continue harvesting into winter.
Tidy and prepare for the coming growing season
Clear leaves: Rake fallen leaves from lawns, paths, and ponds and use them for compost or mulch.
Prune and cut back: Gently prune roses to prevent wind damage and cut back spent perennials.
Dig and prepare soil: Dig over borders on dry days, incorporating organic matter like compost or manure to improve the soil over winter.
Clean up: Wash and disinfect greenhouses, pots, and seed trays ready for next season.
Plant now for spring
Plant bare-root trees and shrubs: November is an excellent time to plant bare-root roses, trees, shrubs, and hedges while they are dormant.
Plant fruit bushes: Plant fruit bushes like currants, raspberries, and blackberries.
Plant garlic and onions: Plant cloves of garlic and sow onions for a spring harvest.
Plant winter bedding: Plant out winter-flowering bedding plants for colour.
Winter care and planning
Feed birds: Put out high-energy food and a fresh water source for garden birds.
Water houseplants less: Reduce watering for houseplants as they need less in cooler temperatures.
Talks and Events
Wednesday 26th November 2025
Talk at Cookham Dean Horticultural Society
Creating an Allotment Show Garden for RHS Hampton Court - Claire and Aleks will take you on their journey of creating two allotment show gardens for RHS Hampton Court.
Click for details:
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Saturday 29th November 2025
Christmas Table Decoration Workshop
Join us on Saturday 29th November from 10.30 am-12 pm. You will make a natural table decoration using log slices, fresh greenery, tealights and candles. There will be mince pies and tea, coffee and hot chocolate. £15 per person.
Click to book your place:
Recipe of the Month
This recipe is from Sheila, one of our wonderful volunteers
Butternut Squash and Lentil Lasagne
Ingredients
1 Butternut squash, peeled and cut flesh into small cubes
1 Onion, diced
2 Cloves garlic, chopped
1 Carton passata
1 Packet of baby leaf spinach
1 Tin lentils
200g Feta cheese
Fresh lasagne
200ml Greek yoghurt
1 egg
Method
Place onions and garlic in olive oil in saucepan and saute until soft.
Add passata, butternut squash and lentils to pan. Simmer for ~30 mins until squash is soft
Place half of squash mixture in bottom of oven-proof dish. Add cubed feta and spinach on top.
Add layer of lasagne
Place remaining squash mixture on top
Add layer of lasagne
Beat together yoghurt and egg, and pour on top
Bake at 200oC for 30 mins
We will be taking our winter break from 13th December, and we start up again on Saturday 24th January.
A full programme of events for 2026 will be published in our February newsletter
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