5 Tips for Maintaining Your Garden Through Winter

It can be tempting to pull the curtains on your garden and hibernate as winter approaches, but here are five things you can do now to keep your garden well and add winter appeal.

Plants

With milder winters becoming more common, most herbaceous plants die back later, so it's best to postpone cutting back the dead growth until after Christmas. Keep in mind that many dead plant tops with seedheads can serve as a winter food source for birds. Additionally, certain plants like ornamental grasses can look striking when dusted with frost.

Evergreen shrubs do not go fully dormant, so it's wise to avoid pruning them in late autumn or winter to prevent cold damage. Wait until spring! As for hardy deciduous shrubs, winter pruning is easier to do at this time when the stems are not concealed by foliage. However, be mindful of the impact on flowering. Those that flower on new growth will not be so floriferous if winter pruned. Also, those that are less hardy may suffer winter cold damage.

Understanding your plant's characteristics and requirements is key. Google the RHS or refer to a good pruning manual for guidance if you are unsure.

Your Lawn

Whilst you might be done with your autumn lawn care tasks, don’t put the mower away. During mild winter spells the grass will continue to grow and if you can get on the ground, it’s better to cut periodically when mild than leave the grass long at the start of spring. Lastly, get the lawn mower serviced over winter, don’t wait until spring when everyone wants it done!

Autumn Leaves

Be sure to remove any thick coverings of autumn leaves from the lawn, leaving them can cause the grass to die out beneath them. But there’s no need to remove them from borders unless they are smothering very small evergreen plants. They will rot down and improve the soil.

Any that are gathered up, we suggest putting them in a compost bin for spreading on the borders as compost next year.

Paving

Keep surfaces clean over winter as wet algae and dirt will make them slippery. If the paving joints are sound, pressure washing is very effective. Our garden landscapers have extensive experience in securing well-designed yet durable patios and steps.

Plant for Winter Interest

Include some plants in your garden for Autumn colour, attractive bark, berries and winter flowers such as Acer Palmatum varieties, Dogwoods, Viburnum and Sarcoccoca. Also, add early spring bulbs such as Crocus, Snowdrops and early Daffodils.

The winter lays bare a garden design and highlights any planting scheme that gives a summer show only. If you're displeased with how your garden looks during winter and aspire for more than just a cleanup, Haywood Landscapes design and build gardens across Kent and the South East to look great all year round.

Contact us here or call us on 01227 733447 for more information on our landscape gardening services.