Preparing your garden for winter is an essential task to ensure the health and longevity of your plants. As the colder months approach, it’s important to take proactive steps to winter proof your garden and protect your plants from harsh weather conditions.

Three vital steps to prepare your garden for winter:

1. Clean up any debris or fallen leaves, particularly from lawns. You can use this matter to mulch under trees or shrubs or put it in your compost bin for use next year. Remove any dead or dying plants and trim back tall, leggy perennials such as Verbena bonariensis by about a third to reduce the possibility of wind damage. Evergreen shrubs and tender shrubs such as lavender and rosemary are best left unpruned at this time of year.

2. Consider protecting delicate plants from freezing temperatures. Covering them with a layer of mulch can provide insulation and prevent frost damage. Additionally, consider using protective covers or cloths for more vulnerable plants such as tender perennials or potted specimens.

3. Another important aspect of winter preparation is adequate watering, particularly for newly planted trees, shrubs and hedges.

One final note on winter preparation:

Lastly, pay attention to any specific needs of certain plant varieties in your garden. Some may require additional protection such as wrapping with burlap or relocating them indoors if they are not cold hardy. Potted plants can be moved into greenhouses or conservatories for the coldest months.

By taking these steps to prepare your garden for winter, you can help ensure that your plants survive the colder months and emerge healthy and vibrant when spring arrives once again.

If you would like some support in preparing your garden for winter, please contact the Frogheath Office. We can supply mulch or we can cut back significant amounts of foliage or help with drainage. Our email is info@frogheath.co.uk 

Check out what you can plant heading into winter in this blog post.