It’s here, with temperatures dropping by the day.
Winter might have taken a bit of time to settle in this year, but it would be fair to say that normal service has now been resumed ahead of the Christmas period.
Unfortunately, this sudden drop in temperature can mean that many of us are caught off guard when it comes to our gardens. Many of us have completely retreated indoors – leaving our outdoor space exposed to the elements over the next few months.
Of course, this is part and parcel of nature, but through today’s article we will take a look at some suggestions you can implement to make sure your garden is preserved through the upcoming cooler months.
Keep an eye out for snow and ice
That first morning of winter where we raise the blinds and see a glorious white blanket of snow outside is a joy to behold. Unfortunately, before you pull the sledge out of the garage, there are some practical garden necessities.
One of these relates to any plants and trees that may have been covered. Suffice to say, snow is heavy, and if it is left to rest on greenery for too long it can start to damage it.
Don’t start sprinkling salt everywhere (with paths being the obvious exception). Instead, start brushing away the snow to make sure it doesn’t weight tree limbs down too long.
On a similar note, resist the urge to walk along the white blanket that rests on your grass. This can injure the turf permanently over time and as such, use any paths whenever you can.
Make sure your furniture is protected
If you’re lucky enough to have garden furniture, make sure it is cared for appropriately. Something like a sofa dining set made from rattan will stand the test of time, but other materials need a little more care. Sometimes it’s just about purchasing an appropriate cover, whereas on other occasions you might have to take more drastic steps and store the furniture undercover. Either option needs to protect it from the cooler temperatures, and also more consistent moisture.
The birds need all the help they can get
Next, let’s talk about the birds. While you will of course want your garden preserved throughout the winter, please spare a thought for wildlife as well. This is the time of the year where food can grow sparse, and you need to act accordingly. Leave trays of water outside for them to drink, and keep any feeding stations you might have sufficiently stocked. On this note, if you don’t have such stations, now is the time to spruce up your garden with them!
Now is the time to prep
As much as this is the ‘protection’ season, you should also make sure you prepare for spring. This will naturally vary depending on the type of garden you have, but some examples include collecting rainwater, sowing plants that need a longer season and simply tidying up those borders that got out of hand during the colder months.
There is a great guide over here looking at all of your potential steps, but the moral of the story is to make sure you keep one eye on the future.