November Growing Guide

November has arrived and while many will be thinking of parking their gardening activities for the winter, others will aim to get the most out of their undercover plot for a little while longer.

If you're planning on putting in a few hours in your polytunnel this month, here's what to plant in November, plus some tips to help see you and your crops through to December.

What fruit and vegetable seeds to sow and plant in November

Broad beans

Hardy varieties of these tasty greens are one of the best vegetables to plant in November and can be grown directly from the ground or in pots or modules. They should be harvestable the following spring when they're roughly 7cm long.

Spring onion

There are plenty of spring onion varieties but winter hardy ones like the Performer are great to sow now for a winter or spring harvest. You should be able to pull them up around eight weeks after you start the process.

Garlic

November is a great month for sowing garlic as it needs a period of cold weather to develop a good root system, leading to big bulbs the following year. Try a combination of softneck and hardneck varieties for a mixture of flavours.

Apples

For something a little sweeter, plant bare-root apple trees in the ground. These come with a smaller price tag than potted trees and there's an abundance of variants to try. You can also plant pear, cherry and plum bare-root varieties in November.

What flower seeds to sow or bulbs to plant during November in the UK

Bugle

This UK native is a superb flower to plant in November and can brighten your garden with a lovely deep blue hue come springtime.

Sweet peas

You can sow these beautiful pink, red, blue, white or lavender petalled legumes in autumn or spring. Doing so in November will mean they flower earlier than many other species next year.

Tulips

November is a great month for planting your tulip bulbs in containers or direct into your beds and borders as the cold temperatures act as a traditional means of disease protection.

Narcissi (daffodils)

Narcissi – commonly known as daffodils - are planted in autumn so they are ready to be a welcome sign of spring the following year. Requiring little attention, these reliable spring-flowering bulbs can be planted in containers, borders or grass.

 

What can I harvest this month?

It's not just planting you'll be doing, with plenty of crops potentially ready to be picked and pulled as well. These include:
 

• Carrots
• Brussell sprouts
• Celeriac
• Cabbages
• Endive
• Swedes
• Cauliflowers
• Spinach

General maintenance and gardening tips for November

There are a handful of jobs to tick off before the festive season begins. Try to find time to do the following:
 

1. Pick off yellowing and dead leaves.
2. Sort plant labels for next year – a job that's always better done inside the comfort of your polytunnel, rather than out in the chilly, wet borders of the garden or allotment!
3. Order seeds for the upcoming year. Sort through catalogues and place your order in advance to ensure you don't miss out and everything arrives in good time. Any seeds you still have should keep over winter if they're stored in a cool and dry airtight container. However, parsnip and parsley are best bought fresh.
4. Clean the polytunnel cover to remove any grimy green coating and dirt. The clocks have gone back, and daylight hours are shorter, so washing the polythene will let more light in during the dark winter months. Try Algon for a safe and effective way of cleaning your polytunnel cover or greenhouse glass.
5. Save on heating bills and insulate your polytunnel with bubble wrap before the cold winter weather really sets in. Close doors and vents, and cover any ventilation net with bubble wrap or polythene film.

Buy a polytunnel or upgrade yours today

Having a polytunnel you can depend on is essential for keeping your plants thriving as the temperatures drop. Whether it's your first one or you're a seasoned user, we have a bunch of sizes to fit your outdoor space.

What's more, accessories like ground covers and raised beds can be particularly useful for avoiding the cold. Invest today to ensure you have what you need to grow flowers and vegetables in November.

Need assistance? Call 01282 811250 to speak to our friendly team. Alternatively, email info@premierpolytunnels.co.uk or request a call back. If it's extra advice you're after, check out our growing guides to inspire your future garden projects.