How to Prepare Your Garden for Winter

A bit of preparation in autumn makes spring gardening much easier. Here is what to do before winter sets in.

Clear and tidy

• Remove dead annuals and spent vegetable plants.
• Cut back perennials that have finished – but leave some seed heads for birds and winter interest.
• Rake up fallen leaves from lawns and paths.
• Clear debris from around plants to reduce hiding places for pests.
• Weed beds while the soil is still workable.

Protect tender plants

• Mulch around the base of borderline hardy plants.
• Move tender plants in pots to a sheltered spot or indoors.
• Wrap vulnerable plants with fleece.
• Lift and store tender bulbs like dahlias and cannas.

Prepare the soil

• Dig over heavy clay soil and leave rough for frost to break down.
• Add compost or manure to beds – it will be incorporated by worms over winter.
• Cover bare soil with mulch to protect from erosion and suppress weeds.
• Sow green manures on empty vegetable beds.

Lawn care

• Give the lawn a final cut on a high setting.
• Rake out leaves – they smother grass and encourage disease.
• Aerate compacted areas.
• Apply autumn lawn feed if not already done.

Plant for spring

• Plant spring bulbs – daffodils, tulips, crocuses.
• Plant bare-root trees, shrubs and hedging.
• Move any plants that need relocating while dormant.
• Plant garlic for next year's harvest.

Tools and equipment

• Clean and oil tools before storing.
• Sharpen blades on secateurs, shears and mowers.
• Drain and store hoses.
• Service petrol equipment or book it in for servicing.
• Clean and store garden furniture or cover it.

Greenhouse and cold frame

• Clean glass inside and out to maximise light.
• Check for gaps and repair broken panes.
• Remove shading if still in place.
• Insulate with bubble wrap if heating tender plants.
• Check heaters are working before you need them.

Ponds

• Net the pond to catch falling leaves.
• Remove dead foliage from pond plants.
• Stop feeding fish as temperatures drop.
• Float a ball on the surface to prevent complete freezing.