Winter is often the harshest season for our gardens, with even the most seasoned green thumbs experiencing one or two plant casualties. But just because the temperature has dropped, frost has fallen and the days are longer, it doesn’t mean you can’t have an outdoor patch that flourishes.
With the proper preparation and care, your garden won’t just survive – it will thrive in the winter! Here’s how you can keep your outdoors looking radiant when the season turns.
Preparing the Soil
A healthy garden starts with healthy soil so before winter sets in, you need to make sure it’s packed full of the good stuff your plants will need. Introducing organic matter has many benefits, such as soil structure, nutrient content and water retention. Compost or well-rotted manure are great options!
Mulching is another excellent way to protect your soil from erosion, retain water and suppress weed growth. You can always test the pH to determine if it’s a suitable home for your plants and if it needs anything added to it.
Choosing the Right Plants
Not all shrubs and flowers are built the same. Some plants are better suited to colder temperatures and can handle lower light levels and even snowfall. You don’t even need to give up on vibrant colouring and lush stems.
Hardy perennials, evergreens, and winter-flowering plants can add life to your garden during the winter, but their positioning and terrain will determine how successful they are. You ideally want adequate access to sunlight and protection from harsh winds, but some specimens will prefer more rocky soils or vice versa.
Protecting Your Plants
Thriving in winter is no mean feat so vulnerable plants may need some extra protection from the frost. Cloches, fleece and mulching are all effective techniques for creating microclimates that keep growing plant babies toasty and warm.
For particularly fragile seeds, polytunnel covers can give plants the push they need to grow by enclosing them in a controlled environment. Here, they are shielded from the worst of the cold conditions.
Watering Wisely
While many plant species go dormant during winter, they still require some water. Overwatering can lead to root rot while under-watering can stress plants, so you need to find the perfect balance.
Think about the reduced evaporation rates and adjust your watering accordingly. Remember that deep infrequent watering is preferable to frequent shallow watering.
Caring For Your Lawn
Even in the barren atmosphere of winter, a healthy lawn provides a warm backdrop for your garden. You can get the best results by aerating your lawn to improve drainage and feeding it with winter fertiliser to help it bounce back from the stresses of the season.
