Tips To Prepare Your Garden For Winter

[Suus Ert]

It won't be long before we have short and cold days and us gardeners need to be prepared for when this time approaches as there are a couple of things that are essential to plan ahead and to action before the December month.

I am based in the United Kingdom, where the winters are extremely cold as some of you cold climate gardeners in other parts of the world can relate to.

Although the winter can be a beautiful season, it may also damage our beautiful garden including the plants, flowers and perhaps our wood garden shed, if we do not take the necessary precautions. Therefore, please hear me out and let me know if you find my advice useful.

 

Take Care of Your Garden Shed

First of all, it is important to make sure the joints that hold the garden shed together are loosened up because the winter causes wood to swell.

One important tip here is to also ensure that no garden tools or other equipment is lying on the floor, because heavy snowfall may cause your shed to flood, which may cause corrosion to your valuable equipment.

 I always clean and oil my tools and equipment before the winter approaches. I’d recommend you trying it, as I can imagine that you will be just as excited as me when bringing out your clean tools when spring is around the corner!

 

Take Care of Your Plants

I would also recommend exposing your garden to a large supply of moisture by watering your garden as some winters (depending where you live) can be very dry.

This is especially important when you have many shrubs because they need a lot of water.

 

If you are like me, and love colourful shrubs, I would recommend you buying the Cornus Sanguinea also known as dogwood, as this particular shrub really adds warmth and colour to your garden during those cold winter months.

 

The last thing I would like you to know is to protect your garden from the winter through winter mulching.

The main idea behind this task is to ensure that the plants are kept in dormancy as mulching will ensure a steady temperature.

You can mulch your garden with any shielding and loose material such as pine needles or shredded leaves.

And finally, please don't forget the golden rule: Remove the mulch in the spring when there is no danger of frost any more.

Sometimes this can be hard to estimate so my tip is; if you smell fresh mud again, then it is time to remove your mulch!