Astronomial calendar

An almanac is traditionally defined as a 'calendar of the heavens' because it follows the four seasons through each solstice, equinox, moon phase, dawn and sunset, tide and Spring tides, local traditional events and folklore.

On the arrival of November, the dawn rose this morning at 7.05am with the first sunset of the month closing the day at 4.49pm.

At the end of the month, dawn will rise at 7.52am with the last sunset closing the day at 4.12pm as the evenings start to draw in at the beginning of the Autumn season. This following the clocks that went back an hour on Sunday 29 October.

Here are some key events, dates and information to make a note of in November.

Moon phases

Monday 13 November - NEW BEAVER MOON in Scorpio

Monday 27 November - FULL BEAVER MOON in Gemini

In the garden

Clearing Leaves - clear up fallen leaves especially from lawns, grassy banks, ponds and beds

Protecting Pot Plants - raise outdoor plant containers onto pot feet to prevent water-logging

Insulating Pot Plants - insulate plant pots to protect them from frost using hessian cloth or sheep wool

Planting Bulbs - plant Tulips and other bulbs ready for the Spring season

Pruning Roses - prune rose bushes to prevent wind-rock

Seasonal Bonfire - burn any gardendebris that cannot be composted - ONLY IN SAFE AREAS WITH CONSTANT ATTENTION

Feed the Birds - using bird seed and food which is natural and made especially for birds, don't forget a bowl of water

In the hedgerows

Wild Fruits & Nuts - Wild Damsons, Crab Apples, Haws, Juniper Berries, Rosehips, Rowan Berries, Sloes, Sweet Chestnuts

Wild Fungi* - Ceps, Chanterlles, Field Mushrooms, Horse Mushrooms, Common Puffballs, Parasols, Shaggy Inkcaps

Wild Roots - Alexanders, Dandelion, Horseradish, Jerusalem Artichokes, Lovage, Ramion, Wild Garlic

Wild Greens - Chickweed, Hairy Bittercress, Dandelion Leaves, Sow Thistle, Wintercress, Yellow Rocket, Sorrel

*Make sure all fungi is identified correctly before picking and eating. Find out more on my Fungi Gallery.

In the markets

Vegetables - Cabbages, Cardoons, Carrots, Celeriac, Celery, Chard, Chicory, Endive, Kale, Leeks, Lettuces, Onions, Spring Onions, Shallots, Oriental Leaves, Parsnips, Potatoes, Pumpkins, Potatoes, Winter Squahes, Salsify, Scorzonera, Spinach, Swedes, Turnips

Fruit - Quinces, Medlars, Pears

Herbs - Chervil, Parsley, Corander, Sage, Rosemary, Bay

Catching the Early Frost

I love getting up extra early on Wintery days to experience the dazzling beauty of a cold and frosty morning. Sparkling landscapes, lanes and pathways are wonderful to capture in a photograph and may even inspire a creative project such as painting, drawing or sketching.

Regular exposure to the cold can bring about a host of surprising health benefits (as long as you are wrapped up nice and warm and don't get wet). Our bodies naturally work harder to keep us warm which means speeding up metabolism, strengthening heart and lungs and taking away the feelings that cause depression.

Being outside in the fresh air and natural light is not just for the Summer months. A brisk walk in the cold is highly beneficial and works wonders for our general health and wellbeing.

Moon dates

Don't forget to make a date with the New Beaver Moon on Monday 13 November and the Full Beaver Moon on Monday 27 November when you can tune into the beautiful lunar light energies for making plans (New Moon) and taking action (Full Moon).

I look forward to seeing you for the last Almanac of the year on 1 December 2023.