Can I still plant tulips in November in the UK?

Yes, November is one of the best times to plant tulip bulbs in the UK. The cooler soil helps prevent fungal diseases such as tulip fire. Plant bulbs at a depth about three times their height in well-drained soil for beautiful spring blooms.

What vegetables can I grow in November in the UK?

You can sow broad beans, garlic, onions, and winter salads under cover or in mild regions. Spring cabbage and hardy spinach are also good choices for early crops next year.

Should I mulch my garden in November?

Yes. Adding compost, bark chips, or leaf mould helps insulate roots, retain moisture, and improve soil quality. Focus on perennials, shrubs, and newly planted trees.

How do I protect my garden from frost?

Use horticultural fleece, cloches, or straw to cover tender plants. Move potted plants into sheltered areas and reduce watering, as damp soil retains heat better than dry soil.

How can I help wildlife in my garden during winter?

Keep bird feeders topped up, provide fresh water, and leave leaf piles or plant debris for hedgehogs and insects. Avoid cutting back all dead stems — they offer shelter for beneficial wildlife.

What garden maintenance should I prioritise in November?

Tidy beds, rake leaves, clean tools, and plant bulbs. It’s also the ideal time to enrich soil with compost and plan next year’s garden layout.

Seasonal Garden Guide for UK Gardens

Green Spaces
Nov 20
3 min read

Gardening in the UK is a year-round adventure, with each season bringing its own opportunities and challenges. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, understanding your garden's seasonal rhythms ensures healthy plants, vibrant blooms, and a thriving outdoor space.

Here’s your ultimate seasonal guide to UK gardening.

Your Seasonal Garden Guide: What to Do and When

Gardens in the UK experience a variety of weather conditions, so it’s important to adapt your gardening tasks accordingly. Here’s a breakdown of what to focus on each season:

🌱 Spring (March – May)

Spring is a time of renewal. Soil warms up, days lengthen, and plants wake from their winter dormancy.

Key Tips:

Sow seeds: Start vegetables like lettuce, radishes, and peas indoors or under cover.
Plant shrubs and perennials: Early spring is ideal for establishing new plants.
Prune cautiously: Trim dead branches from fruit trees and shrubs before growth resumes.
Feed the soil: Apply organic compost or slow-release fertiliser to beds and borders.
Protect from late frosts: Keep fleece handy for tender plants.

Spring Focus: Early planning sets the tone for a productive growing season.

🌞 Summer (June – August)

Summer brings long days and higher temperatures — perfect for flowering plants and harvesting early crops.

Key Tips:

Water wisely: Water deeply in the morning or evening to reduce evaporation.
Deadhead flowers: Encourage continuous blooms in roses, dahlias, and annuals.
Harvest regularly: Pick vegetables like courgettes and beans to promote new growth.
Control pests and diseases: Keep an eye on aphids, slugs, and mildew.
Mulch borders: Retain moisture and suppress weeds with organic mulch.

Summer Focus: Keep plants hydrated, healthy, and productive.

🍂 Autumn (September – November)

Autumn is a transition season — a time to tidy, plant, and prepare for winter.

Key Tips:

Plant bulbs: Tulips, daffodils, and crocuses go in the ground before the frost.
Clear leaves: Avoid fungal diseases by raking fallen leaves from lawns and beds.
Feed wildlife: Top up bird feeders and provide water for winter visitors.
Cut back perennials: Remove spent stems but leave some for wildlife shelter.
Compost garden waste: Turn leaves and plant debris into nutrient-rich compost.

Autumn Focus: Protect soil, plan for spring, and support garden wildlife.

❄️ Winter Garden Planning: Get Ahead for a Stunning Spring

While the garden may look quiet under frost or bare branches, winter is the best time to plan for next year’s blooms and growth. By using this downtime wisely, you can make spring planting stress-free and more productive.

🌿 Key Winter Planning Tasks

Sketch your layout: Identify where new beds, paths, or features could go.
Select plants: Research flowers, shrubs, and vegetables suited to your soil and climate.
Order seeds and bulbs: Ensure you get the best varieties before they sell out in early spring.
Plan maintenance schedules: Decide when to prune, mulch, or fertilise in the upcoming seasons.

🌸 How Green Spaces Can Help

Planning a garden can feel overwhelming, especially when thinking about design, planting schemes, and seasonal maintenance all at once. Green Spaces offers expert garden design and planning services across the UK, including:

Professional garden design: Turn your ideas into detailed, workable plans.
Planting schemes: Create beautiful, low-maintenance gardens that thrive year-round.
Seasonal advice: Guidance on pruning, fertilising, and protecting plants.
Project management: From concept to planting, they handle the logistics so you don’t have to.

By starting your garden planning in winter with professional help, you can enter spring confident, prepared, and ready for a flourishing garden.

👉 Discover how Green Spaces can help you plan and design your dream garden:

Why Winter Is the Perfect Time to Plan Your Garden