Top 9 Tasks to Prepare your Garden for Winter
As winter approaches, the weather is becoming more unstable, with darker mornings and evenings. Autumn is the time to focus on garden maintenance ahead of winter. You may want to give your lawn a final cut in November, to remove the height from any final autumn growth, and leave it until spring.
Here are our top tips for garden maintenance to prepare for winter.
1: Up-root annual flowers
Perennial plants regrow every spring, whereas annual plants die off after one growing season. By uprooting these before winter sets in, you’ll be prepared for replanting in spring. If annual plants become too much of a chore each year, consider planting evergreens or perennials next year for less maintenance.
2: Prune your evergreens
Evergreens don’t tend to grow new needles throughout the winter, so give them a final prune to neaten them up before winter sets in. If the winter ahead is particularly mild, there may be small amounts of growth but it should be maintainable.
3: De-weed your garden
Weeds continue to grow through mild winters, so it’s best to get on top of things before they get out of hand in spring. Ensure you remove weeds from the roots to prevent re-growth. You can also take the opportunity to weed between slabs and the edges of borders.
4: Sweep or blow away leaves
The combination of autumnal leaves and moisture from the wetter weather can result in slippery surfaces and stained stone tiles. Make sure to sweep away leaves regularly, or use a leaf blower to make quick work.
5: Plant bulbs for spring
Planting bulbs at the beginning of winter will ensure you have beautiful blooms appearing in the spring. After your garden has been de-weeded and cleared of debris, you’ll have a better idea of where is best to plant your spring bulbs.
6: Protect plants with organic materials
By adding mulch or wood chippings to your garden beds, you can protect your plants from the winter frosts and prevent soil erosion caused by rainfall. Mulching gives your plants the best chance of surviving the winter.
7: Support local wildlife
You can help the local wildlife to survive through the winter by providing sustenance in the form of nuts and seeds, and a source of water. If you have a pond or birdbath, placing a floating ball will help keep the surface of the water from freezing over.
8: Cover up patio furniture
Keep your furniture protected against the wetter elements by storing furniture in the shed or garage, or covering them in waterproof sheeting. This will help prevent rust or mildew from forming.
9: Maintain driveway and patio surfaces
Slabs and concrete can be subject to ice and snow through winter, and you may grit or use de-icer to keep the surfaces slip-free. This can result in a build up of chemicals and dirt which can discolour your surfaces. By pressure washing these surfaces, you can prevent the chemicals and dirt working their way into cracks and pointing and cause damage.
Garden Equipment
If you think you need new garden equipment to prepare your garden for winter, or your existing equipment isn’t working as well as it used to, get in touch to discuss our lawnmower servicing and maintenance plans.