The garden. A place that is enjoyed and used for many, many hours in spring and summer. Then, for many, they are cast aside until the following year. Almost all of us have a garden that is in need of a little bit of love and attention. Winter shouldn’t make a difference in caring for a place that will house many happy summer memories.
There are some plants that lay dormant over the winter months, but they still require plenty of care.
Your winter garden, when tended to properly, will be even more glorious come spring.
Here are some simple maintenance tips to keep your winter garden well kept and cared for.
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
Prune
Late autumn and winter is the right time to cut back a lot of hedges, hardy bushes, and trees. Suppose you have a pesky tree; it is better to get a tree pruning service to come out and deal with that for you. There are specific methods of tree care that is better handled by a professional. For other smaller pruning jobs, a quick google will let you know what you need in terms of where on the branch to cut back and when.
Pruning will give you the absolute best blooms and flowers during the following year. If you do have flowering plants and bushes, then make sure that they are well fed and watered between the rain. This will mean they are kept healthy and strong. Giving you the best year yet.
Lawn
A summer lawn is lush and green, but the grass in winter will still be growing. It just might not be as fast. The risk for your lawn in winter is it can become compacted. Compacted grass means the roots won’t see any of the water that it needs to stay healthy.
You can simply use a lawnmower to cut the grass back to a shorter length. This will keep the roots healthy and ready for growth again come springtime.
Color
Wintertime is known for being grey and frosty. Yet, you can still have plenty of lush colors in your garden. There are a number of plants that bloom in the winter and can give you those bright pops of color that you adore. If you don’t have anything planted already, then here are some great winter garden plant options.
- Winter jasmine
- Japanese maples
- Holly bush
- Winterberry holly
- Heather
If you don’t want to add new plants, then a great way to add color is to choose a range of brightly colored garden ornaments. Birds struggle to find food often over the winter months; a few brightly painted bird boxes can be ideal for keeping the wildlife around you healthy.
Winter Vegetables
This one will take a little bit of planning. However, if you are careful with your timing, you can plant your vegetables in the winter. They will be ready to bloom and be eaten in the springtime. You ideally need to choose an area in your garden that has a lot of winter sun. The young seeds will need that warmth in order to germinate.
Snow peas, green beans, and peas are the perfect option for planting in the winter. If you have mild winters, then you could choose broccoli, onions, scallions, turnips, or lettuce.
When the spring sun arrives, you will see an increase in how quickly they grow, and you will have a great spring vegetable haul.
Mulch
Mulch is the key part of ensuring that your winter garden is cared for, and everything that you plant or intend to keep is protected. Mulch will keep weeds back and protect the base of your plants. Organic mulch can help to feed your plants as it slowly breaks down over time. The ideal time to place your mulch is after it has rained (which often happens in the winter). When the soil is wet, it is easier to pull whole weeds, including the roots, rather than just the plant.
You are also likely to see a big increase in pests like slugs and snails. They can cause a lot of damage in the late autumn and winter and can destroy new growth very quickly. Using a tray of beer, you can catch many of the slimy creatures and keep them off of your plants. You can also remove them by hand if you like and place them somewhere else.
Your winter garden can be a thing of beauty, and careful preparation can give you something extraordinary in the spring.
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