01 - House Plants

Most outdoor house plants begin slowing down for winter dormancy. Plants such as Ixora, Gardenia, and Hydrangea should be protected from frost and kept under cover.

Water sparingly and only when the soil feels dry. During peak winter, most plants need watering only once in 10 days. A diluted liquid feed made from fermented cow dung helps plants cope better with the cold.

02 - Indoor Plants

Keep indoor plants away from sudden temperature changes caused by heaters, fireplaces, cold drafts, doors, and windows.

The secret to healthy indoor plants in winter is maintaining a fairly constant room temperature. Protect them from frost at night and avoid placing them near direct heat sources.

03 - Roses, Dahlias & Chrysanthemums

Roses are in full bloom this month. Remove wilted flowers regularly to encourage continued flowering.

Dahlias require full sunlight and well-prepared beds enriched with decomposed gobar manure, neem khali, bone meal, and leaf compost before planting rooted cuttings.

Chrysanthemums begin flowering now and can be displayed beautifully according to colour and size.

04 - Bulbous Plants

Bulbs are among the easiest and most rewarding winter plants. Healthy bulbs should be large, firm, and free from cuts or marks. Bulbs always create a better display when planted in groups rather than individually.

Gladiolus, Narcissus, and Hyacinths can still be planted this month.

Use an equal mixture of soil, gobar manure, leaf compost, and Okhla khaad.

Feed each pot with:

• 2 tbsp neem khali
• 1 tbsp bone meal
• ½ tsp DAP
• ¼ tsp single super phosphate

Bulbs store their own moisture, so water sparingly initially. Once flowering begins, regular watering is necessary.

05 - Vegetables

Winter vegetables such as peas, beans, radish, turnip, beetroot, methi, spinach, coriander, brinjal, cabbage, cauliflower, knol khol, and lettuce can be sown at intervals of 15 days for a continuous harvest.

Transplant seedlings sown earlier. Onion bulbs and garlic cloves should be planted without delay.

Late cauliflower, cabbage, knol khol, and lettuce seedlings can be transplanted into prepared beds enriched with manure.

Ginger and turmeric can be harvested once the foliage dries and then stored in a cool, airy place.

06 - Seasonal Flowers

November is one of the best months for winter annuals.

For sunny areas: grow Petunias, Dianthus, Dahlias, Sweet Peas, Poppies, Lupins, Cornflowers, and Larkspur.

For shaded areas: grow Cineraria, Salvia, and Impatiens. Impatiens are best bought as seedlings rather than grown from seed.

You can also grow Hollyhock, Marigold, Pansy, Stock, Sweet William, and Carnations.

Good quality desi seedlings, especially desi Salvia and Cineraria, are available at Sunder Nursery.

First feed after 15–20 days of planting:

• Neem khali and bone meal in the ratio 2:1

Second feed after another 15 days:

• Neem khali : bone meal : DAP in the ratio 2:1:0.5

Third feed when buds begin showing colour:

• 2.5 kg neem khali
• 1.5 kg bone meal
• 0.5 kg DAP
• 250 g potash

07 - Herbs

Delhi winters are excellent for herbs.

Celery, parsley, oregano, thyme, basil, rocket, and chives grow beautifully during this season. Ready plants in small polybags are easiest to establish in terracotta pots.

Tulsi plants need protection from frost. Keep them in full sun during the day and cover them at night. Older Tulsi plants survive winter much better than younger ones.

08 - Lawns & Hedges

Remove winter frost from lawns every morning by lightly sprinkling water or washing the frost away gently with a pipe.

Deep watering should only be done once every 2–3 days during winter.

09 - Succulents

Repot, divide, or replant succulents into fresh potting mix and water only after a week.

Though many succulents are said to thrive indoors, in Delhi conditions only Sansevieria and Zebra Haworthia perform consistently well inside homes. Jade plants and many other succulents lose vigour and begin shedding leaves indoors over time.