https://www.hopesgrovenurseries.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/winter-blog-750x498.jpg a snowy garden with a pink sunset in the background

The cold weather can damage plants that have taken months to grow and the shorter days mean less sunlight for plants that need it to survive. It is therefore no surprise that winter gardens tend to look drab, but if you carry out a bit of winter garden maintenance this doesn’t have to be the case!

Tidying up

You can tidy your garden and protect your plants and grass at the same time by clearing up leaves and other debris that has fallen. This will also help prevent pests from sheltering, while the gathered debris can be used as compost.   

Food for thought

Putting out food in the winter will help encourage wildlife to stay in your garden, so not only are you helping to feed these critters at a time where food sources are scarce, but they will repay your kind act by keeping away unwanted pests in the coming year!

Start sowing seeds for spring

The winter is a good time to plant bare-rooted shrubs and roses as the soil is still soft enough to dig but the plants are dormant. These will come into their own in the spring, bringing much colour and joy. Adding a new hedge by planting a deciduous variety like beech, hawthorn and hornbeam can also spruce up a lacklustre looking garden.  

Preparing for the cold weather

Insulating outdoor taps and potted plants that are too large to bring indoors will prevent winter damage. This can be done using bubble wrap and tape. Cold temperatures, high winds and excess moisture can also play havoc with fencing, sheds and other garden structures, so taking the time to check these can help prevent any long term damage.

Tools at the ready

Once you carried out these tasks it is a good idea to give your tools some maintenance. Taking the time to give your tools a clean and sharpen now means that they will be ready and in top condition when they are needed later, which could several months down the line. Regular maintenance will also mean that your tools last for longer, saving you money in the long run!

As you can see, you don’t need to make drastic changes to bring about major improvements. And soon you will be reaping the rewards for the tasks you carry out now!   

About the Author

Morris Hankinson is the founder and MD of Hopes Grove Nurseries, the largest grower-retailer of hedging plants in the country. He started the business in July 1992, the day after completing his last exam of a BSc. Horticulture course at Writtle College in Essex. Morris has had a fascination and love of growing things since childhood when he was a keen exhibitor at his local Horticultural Society. Over the years the nursery has developed from a one person operation to an employer of 25 staff and so his interest is put to very good use, keeping an experienced eye on all operations across the 125 acres of nursery production.

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