How To Get My Garden Ready For Winter?
Not much happens in your garden over the winter months but it still needs nourishment and maintenance to prepare for the cold season ahead. In this article, we have included expert advice from our fantastic team here at Abingdon’s Complete Garden Services. So, after you have read this article, put on your gardening gloves and let’s get to work!
1) Clear Out
Your first step should be to carry out a complete clear out and to perform an overhaul of your garden. During the autumn, debris can build up and leave a mess. Old netting and broken pots need to be cleared away. Forgotten vegetables need to be removed and composted. The wind can scatter branches, shrubs, and leaves across the garden and these need to be raked up. Use a pressure washer to clean paths and patios of dirt and mould. Keep in mind, when washing your wooden decking, use a lower power setting to prevent any damage.
2) Lawn Maintenance
Before the weather gets too bad and the grass gets too wet, it’s a good idea to mow your lawn one last time. When temperatures drop below 5°C, your grass stops growing and therefore will not need mowing until springtime comes around again. This is also the ideal time to clean and service your lawn mower and have it ready for spring.
3) Insulate Your Greenhouse
If you have a greenhouse, you might want to consider adding insulation during the frosty nights and mornings. In the summer, greenhouses are used to keep the temperature up and speed up the growth of flowers and vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, onions, and more. But in the winter, there is less sunlight and temperatures drop, causing a high risk of killing your plants.
Pop down to your local garden centre and pick up enough fleecing or bubble wrap to cover all panes if possible. If it’s a slightly warm or sunny day, make sure to remove the insulation and let your plants breathe and enjoy the weather!
4) Protect Your Plants
There are a number of plants in your garden, such as any fruits, seasonal flowers, and delicate trees that need covering to protect them from the harsh weather conditions. Having protective sheeting over a large amount of the plants in your beds will make it easier to remove them during the day. Never use plastic coverings because it can hold moisture from the plants and make matters worse. Where you have bulbs planted, placing mulch and straw around them will help reduce frost burn. Any pots can be moved either indoors or stored in insulated or heated greenhouses, saving the need to cover them.
5) Put Out Bird Feed
It’s more difficult for birds to find food during the winter. Birds need high-fat food including seeds and nuts to survive during the winter. So it’s the perfect opportunity to top up your bird feeder or hang up some fat balls from the garden centre. If you want to leave out some kitchen scraps, soak stale bread in water, and break it up into smaller pieces so the birds won’t choke on it. Make sure any food you leave out is suitable for birds. It’s best to feed them twice daily, once in the morning and again in the afternoon. As they get familiar with the feeding routine, they will become regular little visitors to your garden!
If you need any assistance with your garden maintenance or landscaping, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team of specialists today. Remember to check our latest news for more information and tips for your garden all year around.