It’s almost winter and our gardens will be powering down for a few months. The beauty of autumn foliage can still bring us joy at this time of year, and it’s an ideal time to get outdoors and bed your garden down for winter. Some simple jobs now can save time later and ensure that your garden is in great condition and ready to thrive in spring time.
Here are some top tips to help prepare your garden for the colder months ahead.
Have a general tidy up
At the end of autumn, clear up leaf fall and other debris so that your outside space looks tidy, and trim back straggly perennial plants. If you have tubs or containers, raise them off the ground a few inches with bricks or pieces of wood to protect them from frost and prevent them from getting waterlogged.
Carry out maintenance of patios and driveways
Sweep up autumnal debris from paths, patios and driveways and clean them to remove dirt and chemicals or petrol that could cause damage during hard frosts. A pressure washer is effective, but it may cause cracks if used incorrectly. Always direct the spray at an angle and avoid holding it too close to the surface.
If your patio or driveway is made from natural stone then you should take extra care as it can be more prone to cracking than concrete or brick. It may be safer to clean it with a stiff-bristled brush and a bucket of warm mildly soapy water.
Plant bulbs for next year
Give yourself something to look forward to in the spring by planting a range of bulbs. Tulips, snowdrops, daffodils, and pansies will all flower between February and May, depending on which region of the country you live in.
Mulch beds and borders
If you have any bare areas of soil, turn it over and cover it with mulch or compost to keep it aerated and avoid the rain compacting it and leeching nutrients. This will make it a fertile feeding ground for birds and insects during the winter, and provide good-quality soil that is ready for planting in the springtime.
Store or cover garden furniture
Constant cold and wet weather can cause discoloration, rust or rot to even the most durable garden furniture. If you have space, store it away in a shed or garage. If not, secure it firmly with a waterproof sheet.
Tend your rose garden
If you have roses, you should cut back any long straggly branches to maintain the shape of the bush and to protect it from wind damage. Dead head and remove any dead wood to encourage more vigorous growth in the summer. It is also a time to plant new bare-root roses before the first hard frosts of the winter arrive.
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