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Wednesday 19 February 2025
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How To Prepare Your Garden For The Winter Season

During the summertime, garden maintenance is an enjoyable task. Tackling weeds takes place in the sunshine and the dryer days typically mean there’s less work to do. However, as we approach the end of the year, the essential chores become more difficult and unpleasant. The ground is wet and the air is cold. To make matters worse, the harsh weather means that there’s even more to maintain.

These outdoor jobs, while not entirely avoidable, can be made easier with a little preparation. With foresight and willingness, homeowners can begin taking on small tasks, as well as making certain investments, that not only prevent their garden from becoming overgrown during the winter chill but also enable them to enjoy their outdoor space almost as much as they would during the summertime.

Strim and Trim

There are certain plants, many of which are considered to be weeds, that will not only grow throughout winter but will also prosper. Such plants should be trimmed, strimmed, or altogether removed before winter. If they aren’t controlled or removed, they can become deeply rooted and even more difficult to remove come springtime. Bindweed, for example, should be taken care of as regularly as possible since even a small portion of the root can grow back in a matter of weeks.

This maintenance is especially important for those with outbuildings and log cabins because plants can begin to compromise such structures if left to run wild. Roots and vines of certain climbers can integrate themselves into the foundation of outbuildings during the colder months, destabilising panels, and then cause significant damage when discovered later in the year.

Hibernate Furniture

Garden furniture, as well as certain tools and structures, will not keep its quality during the winter months. In fact, not only will wood decay and plastics dirty, but lighter equipment may even altogether blow away. It is imperative that you not only hibernate your furniture but that you review each structure carefully to ensure that it will survive potentially extreme weather conditions.

If you have less robust furniture items that cannot be covered, such as wooden benches, then you should refinish them during the summertime. The same goes for metal assets too, which can give way to irreparable rust if not coated properly.

Clear Concrete

Any concrete in your garden should have been installed with wet and cold weather in mind. However, there is a chance that it might not have been, or that you might encounter particularly troublesome weather. As such, you should ensure that your concrete surfaces are given the best support possible in preparation.

When the weather is cold and wet, it can lead damp areas to expand and contract quickly, causing fissures and damage. Ensure that plants and earth between slabs are cleared and that all drainage routes are clean to ensure that water does not congregate. This will ensure that your concrete not only remains intact but that it is also structurally safe and sound throughout the year.