It has been a long hot summer. However, the nights are beginning to get longer and the weather is getting cooler. Fall is upon us with Winter close in sight.
It’s the time of year when you can open the windows and allow the fresh air to blow through your sunscreens, or even enjoy the outdoors under your patio shade structure.
Then there’s the garden and landscaping. It may feel like there’s less work to do in the garden during this time of year but with winter rapidly approaching, is your garden ready for the coldest time of the year?
To help you get started, here are 8 tips for preparing your garden for the winter.
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Preparing Your Garden For Winter
Don’t Neglect Protect!
With the nights getting longer and the weather getting colder – it’s clear to see that winter is approaching – is your garden ready?
It may be the coldest time of the year but it’s important to remain vigilant in the winter months to prepare you for a stress free spring and summer season.
Here are our 8 Great Top Tips for preparing your garden for the winter and giving yourself a proper head start on spring.
1. TIME FOR A TIDY
Give your garden a good clear out and start the new year off with a clean slate. Out with the old and in with the new!
- Clear your garden of leaves, moss and weeds
- Wash and sanitize your plant pots and containers
- Clean your gardening tools and work area
- Throw out any broken tools which are beyond repair
2. GET ORGANIZED
A neatly organized workspace clear of clutter will save time and provide you with easy access to tools so you can work on your gardening ideas effortlessly and efficiently.
- Organize your shed and take an inventory
- Purchase or replace items such as tools, plant pots, storage solutions, or seed packets.
3. MAKE REPAIRS AND DO MAINTENANCE
Make hay while the sun shines – there may be less sun in the winter and fewer plants to tend to but it’s a prime time to prepare for when the sun returns in the spring.
- Mend fences, climbing plant surfaces, walls, raised beds, plant supports
- Sharpen and oil your metal gardening tools
- Maintain any heated water features, ponds and bird baths
4. PRUNING
The birds have taken the last of the summer fruits and your trees and bushes are looking a little bare. You’ll certainly reap the rewards in the spring when you take the time to cut away dead or overgrown branches.
- Prune trees and and bushes for a better bumper crop and to prevent them from overgrowth
- The final mow of the season. Avoid cutting the grass on a frosty or overly wet day.
- Maintain any heated water features, ponds and bird baths
5. WHAT TO PLANT IN THE WINTER
If you’re looking to keep your thumb green throughout the winter, then there are still a few seeds left to sow before the snow settles in.
- Winter bulbs such as tulips can be planed in November
- Broccoli, sprouts, cabbages, kale, leeks and parsnips are winter hardy vegetables
- Begin propagating seedlings
6. PROTECT & STORE
Some plants and trees will need added protection to keep them from freezing during the winter.
Whether you protect them in a greenhouse or cover them with a cloche to keep them cozy, a little preventative care can go a long way.
- Protect trees and shrubs with a good layer of mulch to maintain a consistent soil temperature, to insulate roots, and slow moisture loss
- Store houseplants and vulnerable plants for replanting next year
7. PLAN FOR NEXT SEASON
Now that you’ve had a clear out and organized your work areas, you can get to work planning next year’s garden. Start with a sketch of your land and draw up dream garden. Now you have a plan to work from once the warm weather returns.
- Which changes would you like to make? New raised beds? New garden path? New garden feature?
- Build or acquire raised beds
- Prepare the soil for next year
8. CONTINUE FEEDING THE WILDLIFE
Many wildlife creatures who thrive in your springtime garden may struggle to find enough food to sustain them over the harsh winter months.
- Keep a bird feeder filled with high energy food
- Keep an eye out for hibernating hedgehogs who may wake up for a mid-winter snack
