By Daniel Griffiths

Published: Tuesday, 09 November 2021 at 12:00 am

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It might be looking a little cold, dank and dark out there but don’t let the gloomy onset of winter put a stop to your garden growing just yet.

There’s still plenty to plant and enjoy, and a little bit of hard work in November will have you reaping the benefits come spring.

From flowers to vegetables and herbs, the gardening experts at The Greenhouse People have compiled their list of what to plant this month in preparation for spring.

So whether you’re looking to inject some colour into your garden next spring, or hoping to harvest your own tasty produce, here’s their list of plants and produce you can plant right now, and enjoy in early 2022.

Daffodils

With autumn still in full swing and winter (and Christmas) being merely notions rather than realities, it may feel a little early to be thinking about spring. But how about giving your garden a colourful treat to celebrate the end of winter?

Nothing says spring like the ever-on-trend daffodil, which look fantastic filling your garden pots with colour or showcased indoors in a vase.

Perfect for planting in late autumn thanks to their long dormant period, daffodil bulbs grow best in well-draining soil. Planting is simple. All you have to do is take care to leave plenty of space between each bulb, approximately 10 to 20cm, which will allow roots to take hold.

Tulips

Alternatively, if you’re really looking for a bigger splash of colour, treat yourself to tulips. There’s a huge variety of colours available so go for a completely uniform single colour scheme, pick two stunning contrasts or go for a full on riot of colour and mix and match as you please.

Tulip bulbs can be placed directly into the soil and most grow well in pots.

The trick with tulips is to remember to avoid planting bulbs too close to the surface of your soil. The bulbs need to be planted in soil that’s around three times their depth for optimum growth.

Roses

A rose in your garden is a gift that keeps on giving. With regular pruning and care it’ll keep on flowering for years to come and November is a great time for introducing your pick of the bunch into your garden.

While roses can be planted at any time of year, they’re set up best during the autumn months thanks to a warmer and moist soil leftover from summer. Now is therefore the perfect time for planting bare root roses while they are dormant.

Be sure to give them enough room to grow and you should have some beautiful blooms by spring.

Broad beans

And it’s not all about good looks in your garden. There are some some wonderful fruit and vegetable options that you can plant in November if you’re after more practical results.

Hardy broad beans and peas can be grown outdoors in rows and will begin to produce fruit by early spring.

Trick here is to find a sheltered patch with well-draining soil and plenty of sun to sow your seeds in, and make sure to use a cloche to protect against chilly spells through the winter. With any luck by spring you’ll reap your rewards.

Garlic & Onions

If anything, even easier than broad beans, vegetables such as garlic, onions, and shallots are great to plant now as they can withstand the cold, require little space and virtually look after themselves (touch wood)…

The easiest way to grow onions is from sets. Plant the onion sets in rows, allowing 10-15cm between each.

When looking to plant onions during the autumn period, you’ll want to select an overwintering variety, commonly known as Japanese onions, which can be harvested earlier than the spring kind.

Herbs

If you’re lucky enough to have a greenhouse, then November can still work wonders for the growing of herbs. A greenhouse will allow you to sow pots of herbs including basil, dill, chives, and parsley. If you don’t have a greenhouse, you can still get involved. Set aside a bright windowsill indoors and set your herb pots up there.

Plant them in November and you will be able to enjoy fresh herbs throughout winter by plucking and snipping just what you need, when you need it.

Remember that their growth will likely be slow during dark and cold days, but rest assured that they will pick up again when temperatures get warmer.

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