Things To Do In Your Winter Garden
The days are lengthening (if not necessarily getting warmer!). So gardening experts Two Wests & Elliott Ltd have given their top tips for looking after your garden in winter, and what steps you can take to start prepping for spring.
Start the new year off right
During the winter, our gardens take quite a beating. Even though you wouldn’t think it, January is actually a great time to start your garden maintenance.
If you would like your garden to be ready to go for spring, now is the time to get stuck in. So we are here to provide you with some simple tips to kickstart your spring garden journey today.
Step 1 – Tidy up your lawn
Pic: Shutterstock
Starting by raking up those fallen winter leaves. Leaving them on the ground could lead to a build-up of moisture which is a feeding ground for potential diseases.
If you already have a pile of leaves in a corner, however, don’t disturb it. There may well be a hedgehog hibernating in there.
Pic: Shutterstock
Other things you can do are:
- dispose of rotten plants
- clean and oil your garden tools
- clean out your shed or greenhouse
- organise your gardening resources
- start prepping your ground for planting.
Step 2 – Check the ground for winter pests
Waiting for you to uncover those grubs! Pic: Shutterstock
By discovering where the pests are in your garden, you can start to disturb them and essentially make them rise to the surface.
One method is to turn over the top of the soil after clearing any fallen leaves. You can then score the top of the soil with a rake. This will force larvae to the top, allowing the winter frost – or hungry birds – to do what they do best.
Step 3 – Start your pruning
Pic: Shutterstock
Winter pruning happens when plants are dormant. During the winter, there are fewer leaves on the trees. This allows you to prune your trees and shrubs more easily by seeing their structure more clearly.
Remove any branches that are pressing on another; rubbing in the wind can damage the bark and allow pests and diseases in. Find more tips here.
Step 4 – Look after the wildlife
Pic: Shutterstock
The cold air has the ability to freeze over bird baths, depriving the birds of much-needed water. Set yourself a reminder to regularly remove ice and put out fresh water, along with topping up your bird feeders, as food sources are also likely to be scarce.
Step 5 – Get your garden beds ready
Pic: Shutterstock
Start by digging out all that decaying manure and compost. Inspect the beds for any repairs that may need to be done and dispose of any roots from weeds that you may see.
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