Rated Excellent7 Steps To Prepping Your Garden For Autumn and Winter
The leaves are starting to fall from the trees and you can feel the cold air beginning to creep in, this is a sure sign that summer has gone and autumn is well and truly on its way. Autumn and the colder months ahead can be a tricky time for gardening. Your garden is almost covered in leaves, the grass is soggy due to more rainfall, and your once blooming plants are now waiting to be decimated by frost. However, keeping on top of your gardening in the autumn and winter months is crucial to keeping everything in good shape. Luckily, there are a number of easy steps you can take to do this.
Here, we take a look at how to prepare your garden for autumn and winter with 6 easy steps. Interested in creating an autumn garden your neighbours will be jealous of? Take a look below.
Autumn Garden Preparation and Care
From planting hardy plants to simply maintaining your garden throughout the colder months, there are many things you can do to keep your green fingers busy. Some steps to prepare and care for your garden this autumn can be seen here.
1. Have an autumn clean up
First things first, have a general clean of the garden. Begin by clearing out any debris, excess leaves, and getting rid of any weeds you see around your garden. Once you have collected debris, you can get into the bigger tasks of cutting the grass and strimming the edges of your lawn. We want to get the garden as tidy as possible in case you are unable to mow the lawn during the colder months.
You may also start cleaning up pots around your garden and identifying plants that might not make it through the frosty months. It is easier to get rid of these plants now, as opposed to clearing them up when they have withered and died.
2. Cut back your perennials
Perennials are hardy plants that make it through the harsh, cold months. As they continue growing throughout autumn and winter, it is often a good idea to trim them and cut them back before they get out of hand. It is certainly good to let them grow, but if they are left all autumn and winter, it is likely that they will become overgrown and unruly. This is something we certainly do not want!
3. Clean your greenhouse and maximise sunlight
If you have a greenhouse, now is the time to start cleaning it and making it the perfect environment for your plants that are sensitive to the colder weather. The aim is to maximise sunlight and air flow here. Start by cleaning the windows and make sure any trees, bushes, or plants around the greenhouse are trimmed back. Any foliage covering the greenhouse will block sunlight and defeat the whole purpose of putting your plants in there. If you find your greenhouse is too cold you can add insulation or a thermal mass so that heat is circulated more evenly.
4. Protect plants that might be vulnerable to frost
If you do not have the capacity for a greenhouse you may wish to protect your young, hardy plants in other ways. You can use protective tents to cover the plants whilst they get stronger or you can use cloches to cover crops. This will create a pocket of warmer air so your plants will not be as easily defeated by cold air.
5. Maintain and store garden equipment and furniture
As the colder weather creeps in, it is crucial to protect your garden furniture and equipment. Garden equipment like the lawn mower, strimmer, and other tools should not be left outside during the winter months. They will get damaged and rusty. Consider putting your equipment in garden storage to maintain its good condition and keep it in tip-top shape. The same goes for outdoor furniture and BBQs, make sure to cover these items up with a waterproof sheet so that they are ready to use again when the weather perks up.
6. Protect decking and patios with a high quality cleaner
Like anything, if decking is constantly exposed to the elements it is bound to endure a little bit of wear and tear. To prevent this, make sure to frequently clean your decking with a good quality cleaning product. Not only will this get rid of debris and dirt straight away, it will also add a protective layer so that rainfall and mud will not lie in direct contact with the wood and damage it.
7. Don’t forget about the birds
Gardens are wonderful places for birds. Yet, the colder months can be harsh for wildlife. Consider buying a bird house and place bird feed in it. This will help provide a wind break for the birds and give them a chance to fill up on high energy food if they need it.
Use This Time to Get Some Garden Inspiration
Nothing beats a summer garden in full bloom, we know this. So, why not use this time to get your creative juices flowing? Start thinking about what you would like to do to your garden in April as the weather starts to warm up again. Maybe, you have always wanted a luxury dining sofa in your garden or perhaps you would simply like to include a wider range of flowers. The list of things you can add to your garden is practically endless, from a wonderful stone paving feature to playhouses for the kids. Whatever your goals, start getting inspired now.
Interested in Getting Your Garden Ready For the Colder Months?
We hope you have found this post on how to prepare your garden for autumn and winter useful. We have a range of products that will keep your garden thriving all year round. If you have any questions or would like our advice, please do get in touch with us and we will do our best to get your garden looking beautiful.