Vital job gardeners need to do in November to ensure they have delicious crop in time for Christmas

Many gardeners will have planted Brussels sprouts in time for their Christmas meal. The food, which divides opinion, needs an important bit of care at this time of year

This time of year is a great time to plant one particular crop you will need in time for Christmas.

The Brussels sprout is a love it or hate it food, but is a traditional part of many Brits’ Christmas meals. Gardening enthusiasts should be looking to take good care of the crop at this time of year in particular to make sure they have a tasty and plentiful crop.

Advice from BBC Gardeners’ World says that the crop should be planted in spring and maintained over the summer if you want them ready by Christmas. In November, one key step should be taken by gardeners to ensure a healthy crop.

“Support top-heavy Brussels sprouts with sturdy canes, and pile earth up around the stems for extra stability,” the magazine said in its fruit and veg checklist for November.

November is also a great time to make sure you have some colour coming into your garden next year. Gardening guru Monty Don told the magazine that tulips should not be planted until November.

Monty said: “Tulips shouldn't be planted till November and December.” He added: “We’re at that time of year when planting spring bulbs is the biggest and essential job for the rest of this month and throughout October. I try and get in all my spring bulbs both into the ground, into grass, into pots - except for tulips. So daffodils, irises, scillas, muscari. And some hyacinths.”

Drainage is key for spring bulbs and Monty revealed he used a pot with a large drainage hole at the bottom and with side drainage. He also covered the bottom with a crock.

At this time of year, the ground is still warm so it is the ideal time for planting some bulbs.

When planting, bulbs should have at least their own height of soil above. Planting hyacinths, Monty put six in a pot and added grit to stop compost from “capping”, which is what happens when a mix of soft and hard compost occurs.

Monty also spoke of the importance of a good planter. He said: “A good bulb planter, if you're planting any amount of bulbs, will be worth its weight in gold and will last for years and years because the important thing with bulbs is you do need to plant them at the right depth."