Many of us neglect our gardens during the cold winter months when it feels a lot less appealing to be outside. This is an important time to prepare for the coming spring months.
It is essential to tidy up your garden at this time of year and try to keep on top of it. Rake up all of the fallen leaves as not only do they look scruffy, you can save them for great quality compost next year. Beds need to be thoroughly weeded, with roots removed wherever possible to prevent them coming up again in a few months. These areas will also need to be cleared of dead annual and bi-annual plants from the summer and autumn. To boost the amount of air and drainage in your soil, give it a good rake over when you have finished the weeding.
Get your shrubs and trees in shape through cutting back and pruning ready for new growth in the Spring.
If you are planning to dig out some new beds, then winter is the perfect time to do this. Add compost or manure into new beds as soon as you can to give it time to break down and improve the soil. Adding compost to the soil gives plant growth a massive boost. The same applies to your veggie patch, now is the time to dig it over thoroughly and prepare the soil by adding some compost. It is a great feeling to get these jobs out of the way long before you want to begin planting. Just work around existing winter vegetables, as they will benefit too from some compost on the topsoil around them.
You may feel your garden lacks colour and vibrancy in winter and you need some inspiration, check out your local garden centre for some attractive winter plants and shrubs. Any outside space can be attractive and vibrant throughout the year. You can add appeal to your winter garden by choosing from a variety of attractive plants.
For attractive winter shrubs try Winter Honeysuckle or Winter Jasmine. Alternatively, you could try planting some Holly, or Pyracantha. Narcissus, Crocus and Iris will all add a rich display of vibrant colour. Combining different types of Heather will also provide an appealing and subtle display of colour through the winter. For excellent knowledge and information, ask for the advice of a member of staff at a reputable garden centre.
It is essential to tidy up your garden at this time of year and try to keep on top of it. Rake up all of the fallen leaves as not only do they look scruffy, you can save them for great quality compost next year. Beds need to be thoroughly weeded, with roots removed wherever possible to prevent them coming up again in a few months. These areas will also need to be cleared of dead annual and bi-annual plants from the summer and autumn. To boost the amount of air and drainage in your soil, give it a good rake over when you have finished the weeding.
Get your shrubs and trees in shape through cutting back and pruning ready for new growth in the Spring.
If you are planning to dig out some new beds, then winter is the perfect time to do this. Add compost or manure into new beds as soon as you can to give it time to break down and improve the soil. Adding compost to the soil gives plant growth a massive boost. The same applies to your veggie patch, now is the time to dig it over thoroughly and prepare the soil by adding some compost. It is a great feeling to get these jobs out of the way long before you want to begin planting. Just work around existing winter vegetables, as they will benefit too from some compost on the topsoil around them.
You may feel your garden lacks colour and vibrancy in winter and you need some inspiration, check out your local garden centre for some attractive winter plants and shrubs. Any outside space can be attractive and vibrant throughout the year. You can add appeal to your winter garden by choosing from a variety of attractive plants.
For attractive winter shrubs try Winter Honeysuckle or Winter Jasmine. Alternatively, you could try planting some Holly, or Pyracantha. Narcissus, Crocus and Iris will all add a rich display of vibrant colour. Combining different types of Heather will also provide an appealing and subtle display of colour through the winter. For excellent knowledge and information, ask for the advice of a member of staff at a reputable garden centre.
About the Author:
Laurel Hedge. Greenshutters Evergreen Hedging Tree Nursery, with a Garden Centre based near Taunton, Somerset has been growing trees and evergreen hedges on the nursery, including leylandii, laurel & evergreen shrubs since 1980. Laurel Hedging
