How To Care For Your Garden This Autumn and Winter
Though we spend less time on our gardens during the Autumn and Winter months, you may be surprised to hear that now is actually the perfect time to work on your outdoor spaces. After all, the work you carry out now lays the foundation for a beautiful garden come spring or summer!
It’s also important to note that gardening is good for your mental health and well-being, which is yet another reason why this should be considered a year-round hobby rather than something you can only do at a certain time of the year.
With that in mind, here are some top tips on caring for your garden this autumn and winter!
Invest in the right tools and equipment. Investing in the right tools and equipment is essential when it comes to keeping your garden in good order all year round. For example, you should make sure that you have access to a:
- Shovel
- Weed Wacker
- Trowel
- Rake
- A set of shears
- Watering Can
- Hose
- Wheelbarrow
- Weed Killer
- Lawnmower
However, be mindful of the fact that you can buy many of these products second-hand, which is great news for those working within a specific budget. For example, you’ll likely be able to find quality equipment for a fraction of its original price on sites such as Facebook Marketplace. You may also be able to buy these products for a cheaper price online than in-store. Furthermore, if you only need them for a one-off task, you may want to borrow them from a friend or neighbour.
Be willing to get your hands dirty.
If you aren’t already aware of the fact, gardening is messy! However, putting in the work to keep your outdoor space neat and tidy is always worthwhile. After all, not only will it make your garden a nicer place to spend time in, but it can also add considerable value to your home if you’re considering moving in the new year.
Clear out any weeds.
Weeds tend to germinate in spring and summer before dying out in the winter (like most plants). However, now is the perfect time to clear them out to give yourself a fresh canvas to work with and to neaten up your garden! If this seems like a mammoth task, consider purchasing a weed wacker. This will speed up the process quite considerably while also ensuring that you’re as thorough as possible and the weeds aren’t given the chance to return in 2025!
Rake up leaves and debris.
After you’ve removed all of the weeds from your garden, set about raking up leaves and any debris left behind. This again helps to ensure that your garden is as neat and tidy as possible. This is a task that you may need to carry out several times over the coming weeks and months as leaves continue to fall! On a similar note, you should also be sure to clean out your gutters during this time too. Otherwise, they run the risk of becoming clogged or blocked, which can lead to significant (and often expensive) property damage. As such, while it can be a time-consuming task, it is well worth your time to get this done sooner rather than later, especially if you live in an area where bad weather is frequent.
Protect your plants and flowers.
It goes without saying that most plants and flowers thrive in warm temperatures, which can mean that the winter months prove deadly. However, you can ensure they thrive again come spring by taking the necessary measures to protect them. For example, certain plants benefit from being covered in frost blankets during this time!
Mow your lawn and trim your plants.
It is typically advised that you mow your lawn before any frosty weather kicks in. When conducting this task, you should also trim back any bushes or plants that are looking overgrown, ensuring that they are as uniformal as possible. Remember to take care when carrying out these tasks!
Cover up outdoor furniture.
Unless you’re planning on eating Christmas dinner Al Fresco, the chances are you won’t make much use of your outdoor furniture during the next few months. As such, covering them up or storing them away, if you have the space, is the best course of action. This can prevent them from weather damage, especially if you’re expecting a lot of rain or even snow. Alternatively, you may want to apply a protective coating, such as a varnish, to any wooden furniture.
Plant flowers for spring.
Now is the time to start planting seeds that will flourish in Spring. In fact, the sooner you get to this task, the better chances you have of creating a thriving springtime garden. If you’re a novice gardener, focus on those that are low maintenance, such as Geraniums, Coneflowers and Perennials. However, you have lots of options to choose from here!
Think about your goals for next year.
Now is the perfect time to set yourself some gardening-related goals for the new year. This way, you can put the appropriate plans in place to make them happen! For example, if you’ve always dreamed about growing your own fruit and vegetables, you could start by researching how to grow sprouts.
If you’re not a natural green thumb, try not to worry. You’ve got plenty of time between now and spring to turn things around. You can improve your skills by conducting as much research as possible, such as by reading gardening blogs and magazines or watching tutorials online.
In short, while many people believe there’s nothing to be done in the garden during Autumn and Winter, the opposite is true. The more work you put into your outdoor spaces at this time, especially when it comes to sewing seeds or keeping things in order, the better your garden will look come spring.
However, if you simply do not have enough time to dedicate to gardening, don’t despair. Instead, consider hiring a gardener who can take on this task on your behalf while also bringing forth the best results possible!