Gers November Garden Notes

Bulbs, Lawns, Poinsettias & Winter Prep

As the colder days creep in, Ger McGaughs November garden show brought a burst of colour, practical tips, and plenty of encouragement for gardeners of every level. If there’s one thing Ger loves, it’s seeing people get out into their gardens whenever the weather allows—and this month, he’s seeing plenty of you doing just that.

Spring-Flowering Bulbs: The Best Value in the Garden

Ger kicked things off with what everyone seems to be talking about—spring-flowering bulbs. More people than ever are picking them up, and for good reason. Bulbs are one of the most economical ways to guarantee flowers year after year, and they’re a fantastic project for children and parents to do together.

Whether it’s daffodils, tulips, crocus, or hyacinths, planting bulbs now brings guaranteed spring joy.

And for listeners asking: yes, you can order bulbs over the phone! While McGaughs stock isn’t fully online, you’re always welcome to call and we’ll post orders nationwide.

Understanding the Garden: Sometimes Things Fail

Ger reminded everyone of an often-forgotten truth: not everything in the garden succeeds, and sometimes it’s simply out of your hands. Weather, timing, soil—gardening is full of surprises. But that’s part of the journey and the joy.

Mind Your Lawn

A big November must-do:
Put an autumn lawn feed on now.

This will keep your grass strong and healthy through winter, especially if we get a very wet spell. And yes—it is now too late to plant a new lawn, as Ger confirmed to one listener.

Apple Trees & Fruit Care

A caller asked whether to pick up fallen apples—Ger’s answer was crystal clear: Absolutely yes.
Once ripe, they’ll fall by themselves anyway, but leaving them on the ground can attract pests and disease.

This is also the time to:

• Cut back apple trees

• Give them a winter wash (mix the product with water and spray only the bark to clean and protect the tree)

• Add well-rotted farmyard manure around the base to prepare for spring growth

Poinsettias: Beautiful but Finicky

It wouldn’t be November without talking poinsettias.

Ger described them as “absolutely brilliant—but difficult to mind.”
Why?

• They hate being chilled.

• They don’t like getting too warm either.

• They need hours of darkness to turn that classic Christmas red.

Ger also had a warning: some poinsettias are grown too fast from seedlings and become top-heavy, which is why you often see them wrapped in plastic sleeves to hold them upright. His advice is simple—buy from a good Irish nursery, like the quality stock supplied at McGaughs.

Bare Root & Root Ball Trees & Outdoor Colour

Lots of people are picking up artificial trees already, and for outdoor displays, the root-ball and bare-root trees and hedging have now arrived.

Hydrangeas: To Cut or Not to Cut?

Hydrangeas normally shouldn’t be cut back at this time of year, but a listener sent in a photo of a particularly top-heavy hydrangea. Ger said in that case, yes, it will need a trim—but wait a few weeks, then cut it back only a little.

Monkey Plant Propagation

One gardener had a monkey plant that seemed to be dying, though a few green shoots were visible. Ger’s advice:
Now is the perfect time to try propagating it.
Use Better Plants Rooting Powder to give those cuttings the best chance.

Fallen Cordyline Troubles

A caller rang about a fallen cordyline. Unfortunately, Ger explained that cordylines do not replant easily. You can try—but success is unlikely.

Carpet Roses

For anyone growing carpet roses, the message was simple:
Cut them back tight and train them towards the wall, physically pushing and encouraging them to grow in that direction.

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If you missed the show, hopefully this roundup keeps you on track for a productive November in the garden. Listen back to the full show here. And as always, McGaughs are only a phone call away for advice, bulbs, or supplies delivered nationwide.

Happy gardening! 🌱🌼