October flew by didn't it? No not really, it was dark and the weather was pretty uninspiring.
But let's not get too down about it! November is about to start and that means you can take on the chores needed to get your garden in tip-top condition for next spring.
Tulips
Now is a great time to start planting your tulip bulbs into the ground, as these are early risers between February and March.
You know the drill by now, pop the bulbs in a well-composted soil bed and make sure they have all the plant feed and water they'll need to grow and develop – it'll be worth it in the wee months of 2014!
Help out birds
We love birds us Brits. From the rare Kingfisher to the majestic peregrine falcon, we all take great enjoyment in doing our bit to help our feathered friends get through the frosty months of the year.
But with a cold winter forecast ahead (the worst in 100 years according to some weather agencies) its absolutely vital you do your bit and get your feed out in November, according to the Royal Horticultural Society.
The normal fare of tree-hung feeders will likely suffice, but make sure you also put out some water for thirsty birds, as dehydration can be a big problem – especially if conditions are freezing cold.
Keep cleaning those leaves
Yes, we know, getting the rake out and cleaning leaves is a tedious, horrible task.
So why not move into the 21st century and get an amazing leafblower?
We have a load of absolutely fantastic deals for garden vacuum blowers, including the
Ryobi RBV-3000VP Variable-Speed Electric Blower-Vac with Power Mulching – currently priced at just £99.95 (including VAT).
The device comes with variables speed and has a patio wheel for when carrying the electric blower around the garden becomes a little too much to bother with!
Be careful about bonfires
Bonfires are a great way to get rid of excess debris in a garden after the big pre-winter clean is finished.
But care must be taken that any local laws on bonfires aren't breached as many suburban areas have banned the practice for fear it reduces air quality and worsens pollution.
This shouldn't be as much of a problem in rural areas, where bonfires are a vital lifeline and a fact of life for people living far away from towns and cities.
However, complacency shouldn't creep in and you should always take care to ensure common sense safety measures are taken to prevent any nasty accidents.
Collect some logs for your fire
If you're lucky enough to have a log-lit fire (they're great!) then it's probably a good idea to stock up on fuel wood for the winter ahead.
Acting now while the weather still has some hint of dryness is a great idea, but – once again – any fuel must be stored sensibly as dry kindling is always a dangerous fire hazard for people in rural areas, especially if kept near anything that could ignite it.