What to sow and grow in November

The two main things you can sow direct into the soil at the moment are Garlic and Broad Beans. Both of these can also be started off undercover in plug pots or root trainers if you prefer and planted out once they've started growing. It's recommended that you plant Garlic no later than mid December. If you don't manage to get any Broad Beans in you can always wait until the spring and plant them then.

Again, like last month you can get some Onion sets in or over wintering Onion seeds like Japanese 'Senshyu Yellow'. Spring Onions are also good now.

Land Cress, Parsley and Lambs Lettuce (also know as Corn Salad or Mâche) are all winter hardy and can be sown now.

You may have some time to start some Winter Lettuce, Cauliflower, Radish, Spring Cabbage on the windowsill, but they will need a bit of protection under a cloche or fleece when planted out.

Talking of windowsills, you can sow lots of herbs all year round on a sunny windowsill. Basil and Parsley are my favourites.

🌿5 gardening myths🌿

If you're fairly new to food gardening you might find that everyone has got some advice to give beginner gardeners. However, a lot of advice I've found is not always correct and turns out to be something that has been handed down over the years without a second thought of whether it's correct or not. So here's five gardening myths that are not at all true.

1. Don't water when the sun is hot as it will burn the leaves. If you've ever watered a piece of ground on a hot day you would probably have seen how dry it quickly becomes. This is because water evaporates quickly in the heat, so quickly it would never get a chance for the water droplets to act as a magnifier and burn your leaves. Water evaporation is the reason it's best not to water midday when the sun is at it's hottest. Saying that, if your veggies need a drink, water them sun or no sun.
2. If I cut an earthworm in half I will get two earthworms. NO! If you cut a worm in half, the top end (the side with that big bump on it) could survive and repair the damaged tissue, but it’s impossible for the other half to do much of anything except rot in the ground. Earthworms are relatively simple organisms and they can regenerate after suffering severe damage, but they still have a brain, a circulatory system, and nerves.
3. Adding sand to clay soil helps with drainage. Many plants need well-draining soil. Otherwise, the water can build up around their roots and cause all sorts of issues. Adding sand to clay soil won't help it to drain better. The best way to help your clay soil to be better draining is to add organic matter like compost.
4. Dressing tree wounds. Often, it is suggested to put tar, paint, or sealant on tree wounds to protect them from diseases and insects. However, trees have a natural healing process that the sealant only interferes with. Therefore, you’re harming the tree more than you’re helping (and spending extra money in the process). A callus will naturally form over the cut to help the tree stay healthy.
5. Adding sugar to your soil make tomatoes sweeter. It won’t make tomatoes taste sweeter if you add sugar to the soil. And if you’ve heard that baking soda or Epsom salts are alternative ways to attain the same end, these are myths as well. For sweeter tomatoes, simply select varieties that are sweeter. As a rule that means smaller cherry and plum tomatoes.