Chilly November Mornings in the Garden – How Do You Cope?

I’ve been out and about with family for a few days, and it’s been such a treat to come back and find so many lovely suggestions here.

Oh my goodness, butterandjam, reading your list has made me need a little sit down – what a lot you’ve achieved. Your compost bins sound wonderfully productive, even if the cushions didn’t quite survive the process, and I’m very envious of your seaweed mulch. It all sounds as though the soil will be absolutely fantastic next year. I hope those aquadulce beans behave themselves once the mystery nibbler moves on, and I’m curious to hear what happens with the shiitake logs – please report back if they ever decide to earn their keep!

Allira, I feel the same about Fox and Cubs – very pretty, but it does like to make itself at home. I’ve only got a small patch of it so far and I’m trying the old-fashioned method of digging out what I can and not letting it seed, but it’s definitely stubborn. Your beds sound lovely with the wildflowers coming through the mulch, even if the leaves and lavender are keeping you busy.

I’m very impressed by how much everyone is getting done. My joints won’t let me power through a big list like that any more, so I’m taking things in short bursts with plenty of perching on a little stool in between. Still, reading what you’re all up to is giving me a nudge to tackle another corner of the garden bit by bit.

Georgesgran

For some reason, our garden bins weren’t fully emptied yesterday. A neighbour has sent the local council an email, so in anticipation of another possible collection, I’ve been out this afternoon and put more leaves in to fill it up. It wasn’t particularly cold here just before dusk.

Are you my neighbour?

Casdon do you have a boot recommendation please?

For some reason, our garden bins weren’t fully emptied yesterday. A neighbour has sent the local council an email, so in anticipation of another possible collection, I’ve been out this afternoon and put more leaves in to fill it up. It wasn’t particularly cold here just before dusk.

They don't give up, Retroladywriting!

However, the plants you want to keep and nurture disappear.

I do very little in the garden at this time of year,but when I do I make sure my vest is firmly tucked into my Big girl pants. 🥶
Does anyone know why those pesky, too small to get a hold of, weeds just keep on coming and don't even mention those ones in between the patio slabs. Shouldn't they have given up by now?

We were going to chop the lavender, do some weeding before the last garden waste collection of the year but it's raining.
Oh dear.

Oh, I looked at the garden from the conservatory, wearing two gilets, and thought "noooooooooo......."

I've been meaning to dig up some beautiful begonias and save the tubers for next year, so I hope I can find the energy to do this next week. (It's pouring with rain today)
Last year my little olive tree in a big pot really suffered badly through the winter. I think I should wrap it in fleece quite soon now.

As long as the sun is shining I’m in the garden. I save all the tedious jobs for really cold days, like sorting out the canes, tidying the shed, sweeping up leaves, After years of trial and error, I use Town&Country Mastergrip gloves, they have a waterproof version, and a thermal version, they fit my hands perfectly, and have knitted cuffs which I prefer - good gloves and waterproof, short, grippy boots are the two things that make the biggest difference.

Nandalot

*butterandjam*, beware of pruning cherry and plum trees at this time of year as they can be susceptible to a fungus, leaf curl. My brother lost two cherry trees like this. Apparently, best time to prune is late summer before it gets cold.

oh, drat. Thanks

MartavTaurus

Tonight's Gardeners World, Monty is lifting dahlias. He normally wears a chunky jacket.

I've noticed lately on GW that Monty's wardrobe is changing. Less of the paysan neck scarf , crumpled linen and braces look. More jumper and belt, Also, he has had his hair trimmed really well.

I’ve not had time to do an autumnal tidy up so I have to somehow fit that in asap. I wear a pair of thin vinyl gloves beneath my gardening gloves, as that stops the damp from reaching my skin and my hand stay warmer. I usually put on a top layer of a fleece jacket to keep myself warm.

When I’ve cleared the detritus I’ve also got bulbs to plant. I’m not too concerned about that, a couple of years ago I didn’t plant them until mid-January but they still came up, albeit when everyone else had roses coming into bloom!

Goodness knows where mine came from, Beechnut!

Allira

Quite pretty but grows in cracks, borders, groceries, everywhere.

I've just seen one for sale on eBay for nearly £20, I could make a fortune if I dug them up and sold them.

20 quid 😱
We’d be millionaires together Allira.
I had mine free from my sil.

merlotgran

^Does anyone know how to get rid of Fox and Cubs^

I thought you meant real ones. 😮😂

No idea what they are. What’s the Latin name?

Pirosella aurantiaca, or golden mouse ear, or common hawkbit I think.

You could dig it up and sell it - the RHS charge £7.99 a pot! 🤣

Allira

groceries no, not in the groceries 😂
Rockeries!

😂😂

groceries no, not in the groceries 😂
Rockeries!

merlotgran

^Does anyone know how to get rid of Fox and Cubs^

I thought you meant real ones. 😮😂

No idea what they are. What’s the Latin name?

Pilosella. They are quite pretty, but can spread like mad. Sarah Raven is selling the seeds!

Fox and Cubs - Pilosella aurantiaca

AuntieE

My garden can look after itself until April. I have plenty of more interesting things to do indoors where it is warm.

You are obviously an enthusiastic gardener, so buy yourself some really warm clothes and boots for Christmas, or in the January sales.

That’s a bit dismissive, AuntieE. The OP suggested a cosy chat?

I’ll be watching Gardeners’ World tonight as I suspect it will be the last one. Monty’s also lifting dahlias so at least my timing’s right. 😂

Tonight's Gardeners World, Monty is lifting dahlias. He normally wears a chunky jacket.

https://signal-corridor.live/uploads/talk/202511/medium-3u1cs1-images-1.jpeg%3C/span%3E https://signal-corridor.live/uploads/talk/202511/medium-3o6nyk-images.jpeg%3C/span%3E

Quite pretty but grows in cracks, borders, groceries, everywhere.

I've just seen one for sale on eBay for nearly £20, I could make a fortune if I dug them up and sold them.

Does anyone know how to get rid of Fox and Cubs

I thought you meant real ones. 😮😂

No idea what they are. What’s the Latin name?

I’m doing very little in the garden until spring, if it’s looking untidy so what 🤷🏼‍♀️, the wildlife and hibernating insects will benefit.
I did prune the roses a couple of weeks ago but that’s all.
I have lots of self-seeded flowers growing, especially cerinthe which the bees love, and nigella. I really don’t want to disturb them.