November has stayed surprisingly mild, yet colder nights are creeping in. In northern regions, early frosts are appearing, so now is the perfect time to prepare your garden before temperatures dip further.
GREENHOUSE GROWING:
If you have space, a greenhouse is one of the most effective ways to protect plants as winter approaches. It creates a sheltered environment, softens frosts, keeps excess rain off foliage, and captures warmth on bright days so young plants, salads and half-hardy specimens keep growing. A British-made Keder Greenhouse goes further, with multi-layered bubble-design, insulated cladding that reduces heat loss, diffuses light and withstands harsh weather, giving vulnerable plants a more stable home. Visit kedergreenhouse.co.uk for more details.
PROTECTING CONTAINERS:
Pots are more exposed to cold than borders because their roots sit above ground, and thin terracotta or ceramic containers are especially at risk of cracking as water freezes.
Group containers against a house wall, fence or dense hedge to trap extra warmth, reduce wind exposure and create a sheltered microclimate. Raise pots on feet, bricks or wine corks to improve drainage and keep them above the coldest air. Wrap sides with bubble wrap, fleece or hessian and cover tender plants with fleece on frosty nights.
MULCH SHALLOW-ROOTED PLANTS:
Plants with shallow root systems are easily unsettled by freeze-thaw cycles. Heucheras, strawberries, young perennials, and many alpines can be lifted out of the soil by this movement. Use mild conditions to weed around them, then apply a generous mulch. Aim for five to seven centimetres of compost, bark chips or leaf mould. This helps stabilise temperature fluctuations, protects roots and gradually improves soil texture.
In rock gardens or gravel beds, slate chips or decorative aggregates can also act as protective insulation while maintaining a neat, contemporary finish.
GIVE EXOTIC PLANTS A HELPING HAND:
Plants with a subtropical background benefit from targeted protection. Tree ferns, hardy palms and Mediterranean shrubs like star jasmine appreciate a gentler microclimate.
For tree ferns, focus on the crown where fresh fronds emerge. Pack it with dry straw, loose fleece or bracken, then wrap the upper trunk securely. In colder northern gardens or exposed sites, lightly wrap the fronds too. Borderline hardy shrubs and climbers like a root mulch combined with a loose fleece jacket around lower stems. On milder days, unwrap them so moisture does not build up, then recover when colder nights return. If you prepare now, your garden will enter winter stronger and ready to spring back beautifully. Learn more about protecting tender plants from frost at my YouTube channel, @daviddomoney.
Focus Plant: Ivy
ivy comes into its own early December, with its glossy evergreen leaves keeping borders, walls, fences and containers full of life. It's also a wildlife ally, giving shelter to overwintering insects and, on mature plants, supplying nutritious berries.
Mild weather means you can still plant container-grown ivy while soil is workable. It thrives in sun or shade, though variegated forms hold their colour best with light. Before planting, lighten heavy soil with compost and grit to prevent waterlogging. In pots, choose a peat-free, soil compost and ensure drainage holes are clear so water can escape.
Water new plants in dry spells. A mulch of leaf mould or fine bark protects the roots. If you're training ivy as a climber, secure wires or a trellis and tie in young stems. For cover, plant at generous intervals.
Save any major pruning for late winter or early spring.Fun fact: Ivy has two growth phases. The youthful climbing phase bears the familiar lobed leaves, while the mature flowering phase produces rounded leaves and late-season blooms that feed bees.
Did you know?
Hellebores are unusual as their colourful "petals' aren't petals but tough, leaf-like sepals. These last longer, so each bloom stays for many weeks, which is why hellebores give such reliable winter colour.
The tallest known tree is a coast redwood in California called "Hyperion". It is just over 116m tall - taller than Big Ben by about 20m. Its exact position is kept secret to reduce foot traffic and protect the tree.
Wasabi's famous heat comes from natural chemicals called isothiocyanates, rather than capsaicin like in chillies. These quickly turn to vapour in your mouth, causing the sharp, spicy blast to shoot up intensely into your nose.
The Wardian Case was a sealed glass and wood box which worked like a travelling greenhouse. In the 1800s, it allowed delicate plants to survive long sea journeys without drying or being damaged by the salt air. This helped new species to reach Europe, changing gardening forever. Learn more about their modern counterparts - terrariums - at my YouTube channel, @daviddomoney.
5 Jobs for the Week1 Clean bird feeders because wintering birds depend on safe feeding stations when natural food is limited. Empty the feeder, scrub it with warm, soapy water, and use a small brush to reach crevices. Rinse thoroughly, allow it to dry completely, then refill with fresh seed or suet. Regular cleaning keeps feeding areas healthy and welcoming throughout the colder months.
2 Check stored produce for rot by inspecting apples, potatoes, onions and squash in their trays. Lift each layer and look for soft spots, bruising or sour smells. Remove affected pieces so the rest of your harvested crop stays in great condition for winter use.
3 Bring potted figs and olives into protection as late November turns colder. Move them into a cool greenhouse, porch or unheated conservatory. Wrap containers with fleece or bubble wrap and raise pots on to feet so roots stay insulated and drainage remains steady through winter.
4 Set thermostats and check thermometers in greenhouses and sheds to monitor night temperatures accurately. Test frost-protection systems and heaters on a mild day, then adjust settings to the level you want so your plants have reliable back-up during cold snaps.
5 Check vegetable cold frames regularly, especially after wet or windy weather. On mild days, open lids slightly to ventilate and release excess moisture, then close them before dusk to hold the day's warmth. This routine keeps hardy salads, herbs and young plants growing strongly with consistent protection.Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DavidDomoneyTV
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