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The quieter growing periods of winter aren’t an excuse to take a break from gardening. Winter is the perfect opportunity to get stuck in and prepare for the busier growing seasons ahead. With this in mind, there are several winter gardening tasks that should be on your to-do list. Read on to discover our top winter gardening tips.
UK gardens may provide a great home for many cold-tolerant crops - carrots, kale, broccoli, spinach, lettuce, chard, cilantro, cress, leeks, onions, and frost-friendly perennials are all hardy additions found in UK gardens and vegetable patches – but that isn’t the case for every plant species! The sub-zero temperatures can take their toll, with even tolerant plants benefitting from a little protection.
As well as lifting, potting and bringing tender plants indoors (or into the greenhouse or shed), mulching border plants that can’t be rehomed can provide a much-needed layer of protection for selected varieties during winter.
It’s not just plants that need protection from the plummeting temperatures. Your outdoor taps should be prepared for the winter weather too.
Outside faucets can easily freeze during winter, and a burst pipe is more than just an inconvenience. It can cause serious plumbing problems inside your home. Prep your outside tap early by closing the shut-off valve indoors before the first frosts hit. You should also drain the faucet before insulating the tap and any surrounding pipework with lagging.
Your garden’s wilder residents should also be supported during winter. Leave out extra food for birds, hedgehogs and other small mammals, as well as an easy to access and safe supply of fresh water.
Inactive nest boxes can be cleaned at this time of year too. Avoid the use of insecticides and flea treatments however as these can be harmful to wildlife. Instead empty the box and clean with boiling water. Let the box dry thoroughly before adding a handful of clean hay or wood shavings and hanging once more.
It is best to clean nest boxes in late autumn or early winter to prepare them for use as roosting sites during the cooler months.
Trees and shrubs in particular benefit from a winter prune. Pruning can prevent disease, boost plant health and encourage new growth to ensure stunning results come spring. Summer and autumn annuals can also be cleared to prepare your garden for new planting.