Things to do on the plot in November, by Keith Houseman, plot 42.

Protect spring cauliflower, sprouting broccoli, spring cabbage with netting to stop pigeons doing a lot of damage, stripping leaves from the plants. Pigeons are hungry birds in the winter months especially when the snow is on the ground, brassicas are easy pickings.

Check over stored potatoes, onions, apples, pears, etc and discard any rotten specimens you come across to the bin.

Make a list of things you need for the coming season canes, fleece, fertilizer, potato sets, onion sets, etc, and of to the garden centre. Bear in mind garden clubs and societies can offer savings.

Seed potatoes of the first earlies and second earlies need placing in a bright place e.g. greenhouse, potting shed so they develop good strong spouts before planting. This gets them into early growth ready for the season ahead. Place tubers in wooden seed boxes, seed trays or egg boxes, set the tubers on end with their eyes uppermost. If tubers are in to darker place shoots will become long and spindly, also watch out for frosts as this will damage shoots, cover with layers of newspaper or hessian sacks/blankets.

A few varieties to try; First Earlies, Swift, Lady Chrystal, Foremost, Second Earlies, Maris Bard, Kestrel, Wilja and Nadine.