With Autumn well underway, you’ll want to start preparing your garden so it’s ready for the harsh weather over the approaching winter season. The more you can do now, the more you’ll be able to see the benefits in Spring when your garden can blossom once again.
Below are a few tips to prepare your garden for winter.
Clear Debris
You should clear away any debris that has built up, including supports for plants that are no longer needed and pots that are not being used. You should also sweep away any leaves from your patio, decking, or artificial lawn, as they can cause damage. If any leaves have made their way into your flower beds, you can leave them where they are – they’ll be a great source of nutrients for the soil.
Clean Your Paving and Decking
It’s likely that mould and algae will build up over the winter months with more rainfall. By taking the time to give your paving slabs or decking boards a thorough clean before the winter, you can help to reduce the amount of mould and moss that can build up. This will also reduce how slippery the surfaces will get and prevent damage from being caused. Use a jet washer along with a gentle cleaning solution for a more complete clean.
Tidy Up Borders
You should give your borders a good tidy, by digging up the annual plants and any vegetable plants that have begun to rot. You can then use these for compost. Cut perennials so they’re close to the ground, around 5cm from the surface of the soil. Once your borders have been tidied, spread them with a layer of compost to help fertilise the soil ready for the spring.
Prune Shrubs and Trees
You should try to prune any overgrown shrubs, hedges, and trees before it gets too frosty. When the leaves have fallen, it’s easier to see the shape and size of the tree, so you can prune it to your preferred shape. You should also look to remove any dead or diseased branches. You should check pruning times of individual trees and shrubs, in case there are any which shouldn’t be touched in the winter.
Maintain Your Tools
You should make sure all your tools and equipment are in good condition before you store them for winter. Make sure everything is clean and sharpen those tools that will need to be sharp when you need them again in the Spring. Make sure everything is dry before you store it and oil metal parts so they don’t get rusty. You might want to send larger equipment, like your lawn mower, to a specialist for a thorough service before it goes into storage for the season.
Prepare Your Pond
You can help prevent your pond or water feature from filling up with leaves by putting a net over the surface. If leaves are left to decompose in your pond or water feature, they can block filters and cause the water to turn foul. A net makes it much easier to keep your water feature clear. Autumn is also a great time to clean your pond, as many of the wildlife will have become dormant.
Prepare the Lawn
If you have a natural lawn, you’ll need to go over the entire surface with a rake to remove the thatch and moss that will have built up. This will allow your grass to grow freely. If you have a lot of moss, you might need to improve the drainage using a garden fork across the surface.
If you want to avoid the mud baths of a natural lawn in winter, artificial grass is a great alternative. You won’t have to worry about mud or mess and you can continue to use your lawn even during the winter months.
The Sussex Artificial Grass Company is the sole authorized distributor and installer of Easigrass across Sussex. We’re proud to offer a high-quality and professional service for your landscaping needs. Contact us for a free, no-obligation quote or to speak to one of our expert advisers.
Comments are closed.