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Some people think that they can forget about their garden over the winter months, but that couldn’t be further from the truth! There are still plenty of things that need to be done in the garden over December, January and February, which is why, in this article, we will be running you through all the winter gardening jobs that will keep your garden safe from the cold until the first signs of spring.
Insulate
This first job is the most important in order to preserve the plants already living in your garden.
Insulation comes in many forms so we will break it down by type. The first option is for potted plants, where you wrap their pots in an insulating material, like bubble wrap or hessian, and raise them up off the floor so the cold from the ground doesn’t transfer through the bottom of the pots. With this method, you can also cluster your potted plants together for an extra layer of protection from the cold weather, using your hardiest plants on the outside and the most delicate in the centre.
The second option is suitable for any type of plant and can also be used in conjunction with the steps listed above. It is to add a thick layer of mulch around your plants, as this will trap any remaining heat in the ground and help prevent your roots from freezing during cold or frosty periods. Using mulch also adds nutrients into your soil, helping support your plants natural growth when spring arrives, in turn making it good practice regardless of the time of year.
However the final and best method to protect your plants from the cold is to move them inside or into a warm or sheltered area. If you have the space to do so, the only way to 100% guarantee that they won’t suffer from the cold is putting them in a temperature controlled environment, such as a greenhouse, house or garage, so you can have full control over how warm or cold the plants get. We understand that this isn’t an option for everyone so don’t worry if you are only able to do 1 or 2 of the above steps to insulate your plants.
Clear the snow
British weather can be unpredictable so it’s not out of the question to assume we may get some snow this winter! The best way to clear the snow that's on your plants, without damaging them, is to take a soft brush and gently sweep it over the branches and stems, making sure not to damage or snap them. It is also a good idea to sweep snow off of pathways and away from your more delicate plants, to make sure that the ground temperature doesn’t drop too far down and avoid your soil getting waterlogged when the snow eventually melts.
Water your plants when it’s dry
It is important to water your plants at the right times, especially in winter. You want to make sure that your plants get some water during the winter, but as the weather is colder and less sunny, moisture evaporates a lot more slowly meaning that you can spread out how often you water your garden compared to summer. With that in mind, you want to wait until a dryer period of weather so you don’t waterlog the soil, because if the soil is too wet when the temperature goes below freezing, you could freeze the roots and kill your plants.
Plan any major changes
With less going on in winter, it's a good time to plan for spring. This could be anything from major structural changes, to reviewing what worked well or not so well this year, to researching new plants you want to try in the garden. Anything you are curious about for the next few seasons, now is the time to investigate those avenues and put a plan in place.
Pruning
A lot of plants can be pruned in winter ready to flower again in spring. Some roses, wisteria, hydrangeas, and types of vines can all be pruned in the winter as well as trees including apple, pear, willow and oak to name a few.
What do gardeners do in winter?
As we’ve touched on in this article, a lot of gardeners use the winter months to plan for the spring, carry out structural maintenance to their garden, protect plants from frost, and prune the plants that are dormant in the winter.
Is it worth gardening in winter?
It is absolutely worth it! While plant growth mostly slows down in winter, it’s a great time to give your garden some TLC, improve the soil, plant some more hardy plants, and make sure your existing plants are well protected from the cold.
How do I protect my garden from frost?
As we mentioned above, if you have any vulnerable plants in pots, it’s a good idea to move them to sheltered or frost-free locations such as a greenhouse or into your house. You can also use horticultural fleece to keep your plants warm and wrap pots to help insulate them where needed. This is also the time to improve the drainage of the beds and try not to let your plants sit in water when the weather turns frosty, as they may freeze.
How often should you water a winter garden?
As we touched on above, plants usually require less water in winter as the cooler weather slows their growth and the evaporation of your garden. That said, those in pots or sheltered spots can still dry out, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the soil or compost and give them some water when needed. Just be careful not to overdo it and cause waterlogging, as mentioned above, that could cause your plants to freeze.
We know that always keeping your garden looking its best can be a challenge, which is why the team here at Instant Scenery is there to support you. We offer garden maintenance, as well as landscaping and designing services, to help people like you stay on top of their gardens. Interested in what we can offer you? Then click the link below:
