The winter solstice might not take place until late December, but when the wind starts to bite and the weather is on the cusp of snow, many of us determine that winter has well and truly begun.Â
At this point, you might think that it’s time to stop gardening for the winter, but you’d be wrong! There’s still lots to do in the garden, from clearing up the autumn debris, to making the garden ‘cosier’ for Christmas, to prepping for the next season. In fact, here are seven things you can do to make the most of your garden this winter.
1. Make use of the last of the autumn fruit and veg
Who doesn’t love fresh apple pie? There are so many autumn fruits and vegetables to enjoy at this time of year, including:
- Apples
- Blackberries
- Figs
- Pears
- Plums
- Broccoli
- Butternut squash
- Pumpkin
- Celeriac
Make the most of them before they’re all gone by collecting them up and using them in your favourite winter dishes. Comfort food, here we come!
2. Redecorate
You might think that spring is the best time to feng shui your garden, but why not do it in winter? It might make you more inclined to spend time in your outdoor patch, so that you don’t waste its potential during the cold season.Â
You don’t have to carry out a full overhaul. Instead, try cleaning up and rearranging your furniture, and adding a few finishing touches here and there to make the garden appear more ‘cosy’.
The Auraglow Set of Two Battery Operated Rope Lights are perfect for adding a warm glow to any area. Wrap the lights around a tree trunk, through a trellis, or round the post of a gazebo for instant light without the need for power cords.Â
Plus, the timer mode allows for 50 days’ use, six hours per day! These twinkling lights definitely bring the magic for this magical season!
Coming soon to QVC.
3. Take cuttings
Propagation doesn’t just have to take place in summer. Hardwood cuttings can be taken now to grow in time for next winter! Climbers, fruit, trees and deciduous shrubs are ideal for this purpose.
Make sure to take cuttings from healthy shoots that have grown this year, using clean gardening scissors. Then plant into a well-sheltered trench dug in with some compost.
4. Mulch
Before the weather really starts to turn, cover over any bare soil with a layer of mulch to keep the cold from freezing your plants. Try using your own compost to add some nutrients into the soil while protecting your plants.
5. Plant and protect bulbs
Spring bulbs are ideally planted in autumn, ready to burst through the soil in spring! From tulips to daffodils, there are so many colourful plants that you can install now in order to get those beautiful hues come spring. Read more about spring bulbs in my guide here.
6. Repair your lawn
Busy summer in the garden? Your lawn might need a little TLC. Repair any damaged areas with new turf or grass seed – just make sure to do so before the weather gets frosty to encourage strong roots.
7. Clean your greenhouse/shed
Messy greenhouses and sheds can get extremely chaotic – and you don’t even know it’s happening until you need your trusty trowel in spring and can’t get to it because it’s laying behind 3 years of junk! Rearrange, have a clear-out, and get your gardening space in order for the next season.
Want more tips for gardening in the winter? Read my gardening calendar here.
Michael has been involved with gardening and plants since he was just five years old. He is a self-professed Plant Geek, and was listed in the Sunday Times top 20 most influential people in the gardening world, thanks to his plant hunter role at Thompson & Morgan. Michael was responsible for new plant introductions such as the Egg and Chips plant and the FuchsiaBerry and keeps busy travelling the world in search of new plants as well as lecturing worldwide, including stints in Japan. He is very active on social media – so why not give him a follow at @mr_plantgeek or Facebook. You can also listen to The Plant Based Podcast with Michael and co-host Ellen-Mary on iTunes, Spotify and Google.
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