The temperatures have dropped, we’re wrapping up warm, and the heating is well and truly on. Colder weather is on it’s way and now is the time to prepare your garden for winter.
While we get back into cosy mode, it’s also time for gardeners to tend to their cherished outdoor space, preparing for the cold, dark weather. Late Autumn is a brilliant time for gardeners to have a good tidy up, take stock, protect plants and plan ahead. This season is arguably one of the most important times of year for your garden, as there are maintenance steps to prepare it for winter and ensure things bounce back in the spring. Let’s see what needs to be done.
Start composting
Whilst starting a compost bin in spring offers opportunities to make the most of the warmer weather, each season presents its own unique advantages. If you’re keen to start composting, you can easily start your heap using leftover soil from seasonal pots, fallen leaves, grass clippings and wind-fallen fruit.
If your compost heap is already in good shape, it’s also worth taking some time to give it a good tidy up ahead of the colder months. You can top up your plant beds, lather it on your driest soil and cover any lawn patches to make room for the new batch before cleaning up your garden. This way, all the waste from your garden tidy up will help to rebuild your winter stash.
If you have a chiminea or fire pit, now is the perfect time to use up your garden waste whilst also keeping toasty warm!
Remove invasive weeds
Now is a great time to deal with the renegades that have taken over your garden borders. Dig them up and place them in your garden recycling bin or smother them under tarps or garden cloth.
Most invasive weeds remain viable in a compost heap or weed pile, so resist the urge to simply shift them to another part of your garden! Removing invasive plants completely is the only way to prevent those plants from sprouting all over again.
Check your garden furniture and outbuildings
As we know, our British winters can be pretty harsh! The high winds and endless rain can cause damage to garden buildings like sheds and greenhouses, so be sure to prepare them. Inspect your wooden structures for damage such as split timber, loose nails or torn felting. Check your fences at the same time! It might be a good idea to replace or repair any loose panels before the worst of the weather hits. Better to replace the odd panel now that the entire structure in springtime, as well as any destruction caused by the fall.
Trim the perennials
Hats off to perennial plants, as we know we can rely on them to stick with us through all the seasons. However, the strength of being so hardy, can also see them quickly spreading like wildfire and taking over the garden completely.
To prevent them from dividing and conquering your entire garden, make sure you cut them back to soil level, collecting and disposing of the clippings. Make sure to leave some seed heads behind though, as these make an excellent food source for overwintering birds.
Mulch your borders
The best time to apply winter mulch is just after the first hard frost. By putting mulch down, you will help stabilise the temperature of the soil right around freezing. Applying mulch too soon may delay freezing and encourage heaving and thawing. Applying it too late may cause the roots of plants to experience temperatures below what they can handle.
Pine bark or wood chips are the best winter mulches; they enrich the soil as they start to degrade.
Garden maintenance in Surrey
Here at Rosewood, our team have been busy tidying up both domestic and commercial clients outside spaces. If you put in the hard work now, you will reap the rewards come spring and have more time available for the less monotonous tasks that come with a garden clear up. If your garden needs a helping hand, then please give us a call on 07393 821797 or leave us a message and we’ll get back to you!
