13 ways to prepare your garden for Winter

It is easy to feel like your gardening jobs are over once the colour from Summer has disappeared, and although Winter is a quiet time in the garden, there are a range of jobs for you to do during Autumn months to ensure you have your garden is as great a condition as possible before Spring arrives next year. Here are 13 of our top things to do to prepare your garden before Winter.

1. Prepare your soil 

Preparing your soil can happen in Spring as well but consider putting manure or compost into your soil during the Autumn months. Doing this earlier will provide more time for the nutrients to enrich the soil ready for the new flowering season. It also means you have already done some of the work before next year.

2. Take control of weeds

Remove weeds that can be invasive and take over your garden. It's best to keep on top of this task to reduce your workload in Spring. It also doesn't give the weeds a chance for their root systems to grow too deep and become established.

3. Plant Spring Bulbs

Autumn is the ideal time to plant your spring-flowering bulbs such as tulips and daffodils. You can plant them whilst the soil is still warm enough, and they have time to establish before the frosts come.

4. Add some Winter colour

Just because the days are getting colder and the leaves are falling off the trees, it doesn't mean your garden can't have some flowers in bloom. Aim to have some late-flowering or early flowering blooms in your garden so you can enjoy some colour all year round. Snowdrops, bluebells, cyclamen and crocus are all great choices for a splash of Winter colour.

5. Clean your tools

Cleaning and maintaining your gardening tools is often a job that is ignored and pushed back. But tackling the job now will mean you will have tools in great condition in Spring. Sharpen your tools and check your lawnmower blade is still sharp (it is good to change the blade regularly). Make note of any tools you don't need which you think will be good next year and get rid and replace any tools that are beyond repair. Once they are all cleaned, store them neatly in your shed or garage where you can access them easily.

6. Tidy paths 

Clear leaves from paths and remove any debris. If you have time, giving your paving a good wash and scrub will be beneficial. Just make sure you do this before the temperatures drop and frost appears to avoid dangerous icy patches.

7. Plan for next year

Autumn is the perfect time to reflect on what did and didn't work in your garden. Make note of what you think would work better next year and plan your garden accordingly. Try to also take photos of your garden during Spring and Summer to remind you what the garden looked like. Make sure you don't buy any more plants that you didn't think worked particularly well the previous year. Also use this time to plan where you are going to plant your Spring flowering bulbs.

8. Fertilise your lawn

The Summer months take their toll on your lawn. The heat, garden parties and BBQs can leave it looking worse for wear. Start by raking your garden to avoid thatch building up on top and then fertilise ready for next year.

9. Protect potted plants

Potted plants will need protecting from the Winter weather as the soil will be colder than in flower beds which could damage the roots. The pots are also at risk of splitting or cracking if they are too cold. You can wrap potted plants in bubble wrap for insulation. Make the pot look a bit nicer by then covering it with hessian sacking for a neater finish and extra layer.

10. Trim perennial plants

Perennial plants are amazing as they are strong and reliable, coming back year after year. However, they need to be kept under control to stop them taking over your garden. Trim them back to keep them neat. Make sure not to over trim them though. They are great habitats for wildlife over the harsh Winter months so keep the main trimming until Spring.

11. Remove annual plants

Plants such as sweet peas are great for adding bright colour to your garden during the Summer months, but they struggle to survive Winter. Dig up annual plants that will not come back season after season and place them on your compost heap. 

12. Add some greenery

Winter doesn't need to mean your garden looks dull. You may not be able to have loads of bright blooms like you do in Spring and Summer, but planting evergreens instead ensures you still have amazing plants in your garden all year round. 

13. Add some lights

Brighten up your garden with lights. There are now loads of options to choose from. Whether you have fairy lights draped across trees and fences or spotlights in the grass, they can transform a dull cold garden into a winter wonderland. 

These are just a few ideas on what you can do to prepare your garden as much as possible for Winter. Doing some of the hard jobs in Autumn will mean you can reap the benefits next year when Spring comes around. 

If you need any help with bulbs and gardening advice, then please contact us. Boston Bulbs Wholesale is a privately-owned business with over 35 years' experience of importing only the finest quality horticultural products through Europe and from farms and growers all over the UK. Whether you're a landscaper, nursery, local authority, wholesaler, retailer, private business or individual gardener, give us a call on 01775 769 333 or visit http://bostonbulbswholesale.co.uk for help with flower bulbs, grass seed and more.