November from the Potting Shed
Do not burn leaves is this months message.
If you can leave leaves around on the ground that is the best solution. It is great for the soil, also valuable hiding places for invertebrates, small animals and insects to hide under. Collecting leaves off thegrass is OK and also off paved areas. If you collect the leaves using a mower this chops up the leaves and if it is over grass you will also get some in the mix and this speeds up the breakdown of the leaves into leaf mould. Leaves can be put in a large heap surrounded by chicken netting or kept in plastic bags with holes in. If the leaves are moist it should be ready to use in 12 months time. Longer if they are dry leaves.
Now is the time to plant and sow overwintering broad beans, onion sets and garlic. If the ground is wet then they can be planted/sown in cell trays and planted out into the garden later in the winter or early Spring.
Autumn is a good time to plant trees and shrubs and fruit bushes. It gives the plants chance to get some roots into the surrounding soil and be more resilient to drier summers. Remember that it is a square hole so that roots go outwards and not round and round. No need to add fertiliser or rich compost to the soil, it is better to use RootGrow mycorrhizal fungi that help the roots expand into the surrounding soil. Water in and then apply a mulch over the top. If the roots in the pot are compacted then score down the root ball two or three times to encourage new roots to venture outwards.
Geoff