Just because the temperatures are dropping, it doesn’t mean it’s the end of the garden season quite yet, and in London, it will feel a bit warmer for longer! Autumn is one of the most important times of year for your garden, as there are maintenance steps that should be done to prepare it for winter and ensure things bounce back in the spring. It can also be a great time of year for planting new items such as fruit trees, bulbs, evergreens, and more. Here are 5 ways you can prepare your garden for winter.
Prepare Your Plants for Winter
The first step in preparing your garden will be to prune your perennials. This should be done carefully, however, as some don’t take well to autumn pruning. Be sure the ones you prune are safe to do at this time of year, such as roses. Autumn is also the time of year for dividing up and planting bulbs, ready for spring.
If you have any softer plants that need extra protection from the cold, move them into a greenhouse or cover them with fleece.
Create Some Winter Beauty
Why not give your garden a little winter interest this year in the form of evergreens. Evergreens will stay green all year-round, are low maintenance, and are easy to prune and shape. Autumn is the perfect time for planting them and they can be used to fill in any bare spots you currently have in the garden.
You can also put out bird feeders for a different type of “winter garden beauty”, as there are some lovely varieties that will frequent your garden throughout winter.
Create Some Winter Beauty
Why not give your garden a little winter interest this year in the form of evergreens. Evergreens will stay green all year-round, are low maintenance, and are easy to prune and shape. Autumn is the perfect time for planting them and they can be used to fill in any bare spots you currently have in the garden.
You can also put out bird feeders for a different type of “winter garden beauty”, as there are some lovely varieties that will frequent your garden throughout winter.
Ensure Water Features are Winter-Proofed
If you have a water feature such as a small man-made pond or fountain, you’ll need to winter-proof it. Remove the water, as you don’t want it to freeze up and potentially crack the feature. For ponds, you’ll need to skim out any debris that has fallen in, place a mesh net across the top, and then hold it in place with something heavy.
Be Sure to Properly Dispose of Any Waste
All outdoor waste needs to be disposed of properly, and the good news is that much of it can be placed in a compost bin. First, use what is already in there and composted as fertilizer for your garden beds.
Equipment and Tools Maintenance
Any lawn and garden equipment that you used for raking, trimming, clipping, and so forth should be cleaned and stored in a moisture-free location over the winter months. If you’ve got equipment and tools that need repairing, it’s best to do that before storing them, so they are ready for use in the spring.
Don’t Forget to Prepare Your Lawn for Winter
Your lawn also needs a bit of attention and care to ensure it is lush and healthy when spring arrives. It’s good to start with raking the lawn, removing any moss and thatch. You can then use a top dressing with a sand consistency and spread it thinly over the lawn. Make sure that the lawn has adequate drainage, as this will be important in the spring.
Another tip is to use those leaves that you have raked up as organic matter. You can do this by raking them into a pile, putting a very small sprinkling of water on them, and then allowing them to naturally dry out in the sun and fresh air. After they have dried out, you can use them just as you would use mulch, as they will be quite crumbly.
Now that you’ve followed the 5 ways you can prepare your garden for winter, your garden is ready for winter which may include some new winter beauty features.
