With summer long gone and winter on the horizon, many of us are hanging up our gardening gloves for another year and hitting pause on our outdoor endeavors until spring arrives again. But you might be missing a trick in the process, as preparing your garden for the challenges of the cold months ahead is one of the best things you can do to ensure it’s ready to go when the pleasant weather returns – and doesn’t take time A few simple steps could leave you with one huge task in March 2023.
The good news is that preparing your garden for the winter months is a relatively easy task. Removing dead plants, tidying borders and general tidying up is all you need to do, so add these five things to your to-do list for the next few weeks and get them done and dusted off before Christmas.
Trim and clean your borders
Neat your edges to create a defined edge, trim back faded perennials and apply a dense layer of compost. Credit: Virrage Images/Bigstock.com
Cleaning up the remnants of summer past may seem like a tedious task, but it’s essential if you want to ensure your flower beds look as impressive as you want in 2023 and that your plants continue to thrive. It’s also a great time to put in some spring plants, so dig up any old bulbs and plant in a few pansies, crocuses, tulips and hyacinths and you’re almost guaranteed a vibrant display when the brighter, warmer days return.
Neat your edges to create a defined edge, trim back faded perennials and apply a dense layer of compost and you’re good to go.
Give your lawn some TLC
Like the rest of your garden, lawns are often neglected in the fall and winter, but take advantage of the dry days while you can. Credit: fresh_house/Bigstock.com
Like the rest of your yard, lawns are often neglected in the fall and winter, but take advantage of the dry days to scavenge weeds and moss and nourish them with some fall lawn fertilizer to keep them healthy when the frosty weather sets in, and you will be glad later that you made the effort.
If your garden is in need of a new lawn then now is the right time too, giving it time to settle, take root and establish itself in time for the summer of 2023.
Plant a mature hedge
Fall is a great time of year to plant a hedge
If you want a little more privacy in your garden and want a solution that will support the environment and ease your personal worries, then fall is a great time of year to plant a hedge. While most plants are purchased as seeds or seedlings, there is no need to buy a hedge for your luxury garden – and a mature hedge is a great option where most of the hard work has already been done for you. With a selection of fully grown plants already knitted together, not only do you not have to wait months for your hedge to grow, but you can also enjoy a seamless effect right from the start. If you’re looking for a quick fix, look no further.
Plant evergreens
A great way to keep your garden looking as green as ever is to plant some evergreens
Gardens can quickly look bare and depressing during the winter months, when leaves fall from trees, flowers die off and shrubs turn brown – but a great way to keep your garden looking as green as ever is to plant evergreens.
Clematis, Leucothoe and Sarcococca are great fall planting options and will brighten up your outdoor space even when the sky is grey, and are great choices for filling in gaps in your borders. Whole bay and holly are beautiful seasonal options that also complement each other well when added to your hedges.
Put away your garden tools
Put away your gardening tools so they’re in top condition again next year
It may seem obvious, but gardening tools like spades and trowels are often left outside year-round and the wet weather of autumn and winter can lead to rusting – so dry each piece carefully and store in a dry place to ensure that it stays in optimal condition when you need it again next year.
It’s also a good time to do some other general maintenance beforehand – like sharpening shears and secateurs, and rubbing linseed oil on wooden handles to keep them from rotting. It’s quick work and you’ll be glad you took the time when spring 2023 finally arrives and you can spend your days outside enjoying your garden again.
