Just because the days are closing in and the weather getting colder and wetter doesn’t mean that most of us can’t get out into the garden. We don’t have to hibernate over winter – though it is harder to drag ourselves away from a warm room. There are plenty of jobs we can be getting on with so I’ve put together a list (though not exhaustive) of tasks we can motivate ourselves to do before darkness descends.

Tips for looking after your garden in winter

1 Clear fallen leaves

Aside from the obvious aesthetic interference of having a lot of leaves strewn over the garden, they aren’t good for its health either. Over time, the leaves will decompose but this will take some time and while they remain in place, they may affect the growth of anything underneath.

There are mowers that come with a leaf collection function and these are ideal for clearing leaves off the lawn. But really who wants the hassle? Just grab a brush, rake and something to put the leaves in. If the leaves have fallen on paths, decking, patios or other walkways, you will need to sweep these in order that they don’t make the area slippery and dangerous.

2 Protect your plants

If you have spent the spring and summer tirelessly caring for a mature garden then you aren’t going to want all of your hard work undone as the cold sets in. So, one of the most important winter jobs is to ensure that your plants are well-protected.

For potted plants the simplest way to do this is to move them into a greenhouse or polytunnel. But sensitive plants and trees in the garden may need additional protection. Using a fleece is a great way to protect plants from winter frosts but you might also add an additional layer of mulch which is natural and effective.

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3 Look after the soil

The cold weather won’t only affect your plants, it could also affect the soil so it is just as important to protect this over winter. One of the best ways to do this is to add in some raised beds as this will allow you far greater control over the soil.

Adding mulch to the soil is an excellent way to protect it but even so, you will still want to monitor its ph. levels. Should you find that it becomes too acidic, you may need to add some lime to counteract this.

4 Tidy your polytunnel

We’d bet that you’ve spent a lot of time in your polytunnel over the summer and all of that hard work has probably left a mess behind. Since maintaining your plants won’t require as much attention over the winter, you could use any spare time to tidy your polytunnel or greenhouse.

You might throw out waste, organise your essential gardening tools and give everywhere a good sweep. However, you can go one step further and disinfect the entire structure using an appropriate garden disinfectant. Just be sure to make sure the tunnel is well ventilated over the coming days until it thoroughly dries out.

5 Preparing the lawn

As we go through October and winter approaches, it is vital that you prepare your lawn for the cold. The last mow should take place at some point during the autumn with most people opting for October. But mowing is not the only thing that should be on your list.

You should remove debris and moss from the lawn. For small amounts of moss, you can get straight in with the rake but if things are a little more severe, you might want to use a moss killer before removing it. You can compost anything you pull out.

6 Encourage wildlife

Over winter, food sources for local wildlife become much scarcer. Now there are a lot of gardeners who won’t want wildlife coming into their garden, especially during the summer when many plants are thriving.

However, if you want a fully functioning ecosystem, you will need to protect the wildlife and putting out bird feeders is a great way to do this. You might also consider making some bug feeders as while you may not see them as often, insects will still be prevalent in the garden throughout the colder months.

7 Planting over winter

Most people will grow plants over the summer but if you want your garden to come alive during those cold winter months then it is important to choose the right plants. Of course, going for evergreen trees and shrubs is an excellent place to start but be sure to familiarise yourself with their maintenance.

If you’re planting veggies in the polytunnel then go for things like cabbage, beetroot and watercress all of which will do very well over winter. You might also start planting spring bulbs like daffodils and snowdrops ready for that pop of colour early next year.

8 Pruning

Many of the plants in your garden will require pruning over winter so now is a great time to get out those shears and get clipping. Roses are one of the most common UK garden plants that need winter pruning and January or February is the optimal time.

It is best to cut the plant back by about half and create as rounded a shape as is possible. Make sure to check for any stems that are damaged or diseased and make it a priority to get rid of these.

You might also consider pruning your fruit trees or bare rooted plants but this needs to be done much earlier in November and only if the soil is not frozen.

9 Garden hardware

If you have outside taps it’s a good idea to protect them over the winter months and unfortunately, this is something that a lot of gardeners forget to do. If you don’t protect them then there is a very real risk of a burst pipe once the frost sets in.

Simply lagging the tap and pipework will help protect it during the cold weather. The last thing you want is a cracked pipe because you didn’t take a few minutes to lag it.

10 Protect your pond

If you have a pond in your garden, then you are also going to want to make sure that it is adequately protected. One of the easiest ways to do this is to add a net cover over the water. The reason for this is that fallen leaves can get into the pond and as they decompose, they will upset the delicate balance of the ecosystem.

You can collect leaves that fall on top and pop them into your compost bin. The net can be held down using bricks or if the pond is on grass, pegs will work well.

11 Give the shed a makeover

Winter is an ideal time to lavish some love on that neglected shed at the bottom of the garden. Sure, you’ll want to paint or plant around it in spring or summer, but there are still jobs you can do including adding extra storage or insulating it so you can spend some time in your bolt hole over the colder months. We talk about other ways to improve your shed in this article.

We have a fantastic range of winter plants available right now in the nursery. Click here to start shopping and we’ll deliver your order straight to your door.