UK winters have a reputation for being harsh and unforgiving, especially for gardens. Follow these simple steps to ensure your garden can thrive even when temperatures drop.
Wrap up pots to keep shrubs warm
Anything planted in a pot is at risk of cold damage during the winter. Remember to wrap your pots in bubble wrap to protect the shrubs from winter frost. Not only will this step protect the roots, but it will also prevent the pots from cracking as it gets colder outside.
Tidy up your borders
Right before winter is the perfect time to tidy up your borders. Dig up any annuals and plant any wallflowers, pansies, or daisies. Cut back your perennials to about 5 cm above the ground to ensure they survive the cold. You’ll want to try and edge up your garden as best you can, so that it looks somewhat tidy through the winter and doesn’t leave your paths muddy. Beyond this, also consider getting a weed wacker to do a final weed trimming for the year, this should prevent even the hardiest of weeds from growing out of control whilst you spend the winter inside. You should also spread a thick layer of compost or bark chips once you clean out everything.
Rake up fallen leaves
Rake up any debris and loose leaves from your pathways using a landscaping rake or a garden rake. Not only can this make your garden look nicer, but it can also prevent your paths from getting slippery during a winter frost. Compost the leaves and use them to cover your borders.
Install a greenhouse
If your area receives freezing winter days, then it is best to get a greenhouse in the garden. A greenhouse can capture heat well and foster a warm environment for the plants to thrive. During the winter, a greenhouse will provide just the right atmosphere for the plants to grow. In fact, not only will it ensure your plants get enough sunlight, but it will also help lower your heating bill, in case you were using a heater to warm up the greens in your garden. Well, in case you are interested in this suggestion, it would be advisable to compare greenhouses of different brands before finalizing one for your garden.
Cover woodland plants with fleece
Even your sturdiest plants, especially if they’re young, need to be protected during winter. Use fleece or enviromesh to create a protective barrier between your woodland plants and the elements. This simple act prevents root rot by keeping the soil drier.
Don’t forget the wildlife
Animals need a little extra help to survive cold winters. Consider leaving out a feeder and watering bath for the birds. Watch to make sure the water doesn’t freeze. Hedgehogs and other creatures may try to hide in your garden. Make sure there is no hibernating in your garden before you decide to light a garden fire.
Put a net over the pond
While water features are beautiful during the spring and summer, they can become difficult to manage during the winter. To prevent clogged filters or pumps, cover your pond with a special netting material. A meshed net will catch falling leaves, so your pond will stay clean all winter long. Additionally, you may want to speak to a pond management service who will access your pond and suggest the best long-term solution to ensure that your pond is kept safe during the colder months.
Clean garden tools
Before you put your spade and lawnmower into storage, be sure to clean them. Send your mower in for servicing. Shears and spades should be sharpened before temperatures warm back up. You should also oil any metal tools to prevent rust.
Make necessary repairs
Check the condition of the lawn tractor tires, inspect the blades on the lawnmower, the hoses on the pressure washer, and the chains on the wood chipper, and get them repaired or replaced. This is so that when the next time you need to use your gardening tools, you wouldn’t be put off by having to do maintenance and repairs.
Protect your garden furniture
Wood furniture may rot or crack during the winter. When it gets colder, you should sand down your garden furniture and treat it with a high-quality wood preservative. Covering these pieces will help protect them from rain and ice until spring rolls around.
Remember the taps
Outside taps and sprinkler systems are very vulnerable during harsh winters. To avoid plumbing problems, you should cover any garden taps with an insulated cover. If possible, stop the taps and sprinklers and then drain them. Forgetting to do this may result in a burst pipe or extensive damage to your irrigation system. If this does happen, then call for sprinkler repair near Tampa, FL or similar immediately, as delaying will only cause the problem to grow. Damaged taps and sprinklers can affect other areas of your pipework or even your water quality, not to mention costing you a pretty penny should you need to replace the entire system due to wholly preventable damage.