Keeping your garden healthy all year round is not hard work, but it does take some thought. We have collated a few pieces of advice on how to keep your garden looking good in winter, and to prepare it for the spring and summer.
Clean and Tidy
Gardens get quickly forgotten about when we aren’t using them daily, and this is the case in most gardens over the winter period. Once all the leaves have fallen in autumn rake all the loose debris away, as leaves and dead plants are useful for adding to your mulch pile. Remove any children’s toys, chairs or summertime playthings off your lawn to keep dead spots on your lawn to a minimum. The wintertime is perfect if you want to dig new flower beds or just sharpen the edges, to get them ready for the new growing season. By digging new beds in the wintertime, you give the soil a chance to break down while it is still wet, as this makes it easier when you want to get them ready in spring. Also, it is important that you prepare your best lawn and garden tools as the winter ends. One efficient tool that will help to rid stubborn weeds and grasses especially on hard to reach areas are the string trimmers, you can check the top best trimmers reviewed on www.findstringtrimmers.com.
Winter Flowering Plants
To have a garden that still looks great in the cold months, you can choose to grow specific varieties that flourish in the winter. The obvious choice is evergreen trees which, as the name suggests, will stay green throughout the year. Evergreen trees are quick growing, and you can plant them in the winter months while the soil is wet, this will also help them to cope with the hot period of summer. Actually, Jim’sMowing recommends having a variety of winter flowering plants that will add color throughout the colder months. Plant snowflakes, French lavender, and wallflowers as these all flower in the winter which can make your garden appealing even when it is cold and windy. There are many plants you can choose which flower throughout the year and are equally easy to maintain.
Add Mulch to the Beds
The winter months are a fantastic time to start preparing your soil for the warmer months. If you have created a mulch pile, you can start spreading it across all the flower and vegetable beds, and this will help protect the soil from frost and add vital nutrients deep into the ground for when you start to grow your summer plants. The mulch will give your winter plants much needed food and help to protect their roots from hard frosts and snow, which would otherwise damage them. A good layer of mulch will help to keep moisture in the soil if you have a dry winter, so keep your soil in tip-top shape. An added benefit of having a layer of mulch over your planting beds is it will look smart and give your garden curb appeal, while others will look tired and baron.
Lawn Maintenance
Taking good care of your lawn throughout wintertime will make it a doddle to get your lawn summer-ready when the time comes. Make sure there is no debris lying about and use this time to plant fresh grass seed in any dead areas you have. Grass seed is good to plant so long as the temperature is above five degrees. Heavy rain or snow can compact the soil under your lawn, so try to aerate the lawn to keep the grass healthy. You can also add fertilizer in winter to maintain a healthy-looking lawn, although try not to do this just before heavy rains as it may get washed away. When the lawn is damp it is the perfect time to tidy up the borders with plant beds. It is easier to dig into dirt that is a little damp rather than wait for the warm season when it gets too hard and crumbly.
Pruning and Planting
Many plants you have in your garden will benefit from being pruned back during the colder months to protect them from frost and cold. Roses are the most obvious plant that will need pruning, and you’ll need to follow instructions for each plant to ensure you are not cutting them too early. As seeds and bulbs are planted deep in the dirt, this helps to keep them out of harm’s way from frost and snow, and they will start to shoot just as the weather picks up. By being proactive and planting throughout the winter, you will have a garden that will be full of life come early spring. Many of the pruned branches and leaves will be perfect for adding to your mulch pile and with rain will breakdown quickly giving you mulch ready to use in the spring and summer.
Start Gardening
By giving your garden a little love when the weather is cold, you will be sure to have a great area when the heat returns. Follow the tips above and speak with your local garden center to ensure you’re on top of all the aspects that will help you to achieve a garden worth being proud of, all year round.
