Winter is the perfect time to spruce up your garden
Oct 20, 2022
Four in five UK adults don’t plant bulbs during the winter months according to TV plantsman and horticulturalist Michael Perry (AKA Mr Plant Geek). It’s a message that needs to be shared as only 2% of us tackle our gardens in the winter months, with 39% reporting that the lack of warm weather is the deterrent.
Most people don’t realise how much gardening you can get done in the winter months. Most of us are missing out on reaping the benefits to gardens and gardeners.
These are the top 5 gardening jobs we put off: 1. Ordering seeds for Spring, 2. Pruning fruit trees, 3. Digging garden beds, 4. Creating a compost heap, 5. Covering the ground.
So, although 80% of adults don’t plants bulbs in the winter, they might reap the rewards if they did and while 30% of people spruced up their garden in the spring, only 24% actually protect their plants from the cold in winter. Now might be a good time to consider a gardening strategy for all seasons.
TOP 10 WINTER GARDENING TIPS
1. The winter is the perfect time to add plants to your garden, particularly in bare root form - when they’re dormant. You can buy a wide range of bare root fruit trees and perennials, which establish much more easily than potted plants do in the warmer months.
2. Don’t neglect your winter containers - you can use a range of colourful plants, such as hellebores, primroses and pansies, to add as much colour to your front garden or patio as you would in the height of the summer.
3. Before it gets too cold, mulch your plants with fresh compost, leaf mould or bark - this will keep the moisture locked in and start to nourish the soil. Plus, in the warmer months, it will also prevent any weeds from coming through!
4. It’s always a good idea to leave the seed heads on your plants through the autumn - as they have a great architecture and provide homes to insects. However, if they start to break down, it’s best to clear them from the surface of the soil, as they could spread bacteria.
5. You might find that the quieter days in winter are the perfect time to clean up your garden - by pressure-washing surfaces and clearing neglected-looking areas.
6. If you’re doing a big garden tidy up, pruning dormant shrubs and clearing away dead seeds or plants. Containers such as Hippobags are useful as unlike domestic garden bins, you can add soil and book a collection to take it away so it can be reused, recycled or disposed of ethically.
7. Any waterlogged lawns can be aerated by using the tines of a fork - try to avoid walking on the lawn too often during the winter as it needs its rest – just like us!
8. If you do want to add some instant colour to your borders this winter - then reach for evergreen shrubs. There are so many available in all sorts of different colours and shades.
9. Take time to do some forward planning – use the quieter, winter months to take time planning your perfect summer garden. Order bulbs, seeds and young plants and plan your borders ahead of time, making them fuller and longer lasting.
10. Make sure your garden is wildlife friendly – as they’ll need you most during the winter months. Top up your bird baths and leave out a full supply of tasty foods like fat balls and mealworms.
