As the crisp, cold air of November settles in, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has issued crucial advice for gardeners looking to protect their plants from the destructive winter months ahead.
The respected authority highlights a simple yet vital task for this month that could mean the difference between life and death for your container plants. By taking action now, you can prevent a common but often overlooked gardening tragedy.
The Simple Lifesaver for Your Pots
The RHS strongly recommends elevating containers onto pot feet to avoid the dangers of waterlogging. This straightforward measure involves raising your pots just a few centimetres off the ground using specialised pot feet, bricks, or even small stones.
During the wet winter months, pots left sitting directly on soil or hard surfaces can quickly become saturated. Excess rainwater accumulates beneath them and, with no means of escape, soaks back into the compost. This process deprives plant roots of essential oxygen, leading to rot and, ultimately, the plant's demise.
By creating that small gap between the pot base and the ground, you allow water to flow freely out of the drainage holes. While the elevated look might not be your preferred aesthetic, your plants will be in a far stronger position to survive until spring.
Why This November Task is Non-Negotiable
The threat to plants is a combination of freezing temperatures, persistent rainfall, and poor drainage. The damage often happens silently beneath the soil's surface, with gardeners none the wiser until they discover the lifeless plants in spring when it is too late to intervene.
This method of plant loss is one of the most frequent during winter, but it is also one of the easiest to prevent. The RHS's guidance, also reported by the Express, offers a proactive solution that requires minimal effort for maximum reward.
Don't Forget the Tulips
While protecting existing plants is paramount, November also presents a key planting opportunity. The RHS points out that now is the ideal time to plant tulip bulbs for a vibrant spring display.
Whether you choose shorter varieties for pots, taller stems for borders, or smaller species to naturalise in lawns, planting in autumn ensures a spectacular show of colour when warmer weather returns.
By following these straightforward gardening recommendations from the RHS, you can ensure your outdoor space not only survives the winter but is primed to be at its absolute best for the following summer.
