While many of us like to think that we’re somewhat green-fingered, the jury is still out on whether gardening is a truly popular pastime in the UK.
After all, an unimpressive two-in-five (40%) of Brits don’t take precautions to even prepare their garden for the winter period, leaving it exposed to the elements for a considerable period of time.
In this post, we’ve prepared some tips to help you take care of your garden and keep it in the best possible condition ahead of next spring.
#1. Start by Winterising Your Pool
If you’re fortunate to own a pool as the centrepiece of your back garden, you may want to prioritise this when winterising your home.
Firstly, you’ll need to remove the pump and filter, clearing the latter of any debris that has accumulated over time. Then, remove any wider debris from the pool itself, including toys, swimming aids and any fallen leaves.
We’d also recommend shocking it with chemicals, as this will cleanse the water thoroughly after what’s likely to be a period of extended usage.
Finally, be sure to top your pool with a designated cover and keep this in place for as long as the pool remains out of use.
#2. Prepare the Lawn
While your grass will grow at a much slower rate during the winter, it’s important to give your lawn a final and comprehensive trim just before the cold weather kicks in.
This will prevent the lawn from becoming overgrown during the winter, minimising the amount of work that you have todo in the spring.
You should also use a grass strimmer to tidy the edges of your lawn, as this kind of attention to detail can have a dramatic impact on the look and feel of your garden.
As the final part of your preparation, take the time to remove all debris and tidy your lawn before the winter conditions take hold, while also collecting any weeds or deads that have accumulated over time.
#3. Protect Your Plants
Not all plants have been created equal, as some thrive in warmer climates whereas others can survive and grow during the winter months.
If you have a broad selection of plants in your garden, it’s important to move any that are used to warmer climates into a greenhouse or conservatory so that they’re afforded the best chance of survival during the winter.
Also, we’d add mulch for root protection, while those of you with a pop-up greenhouse should strive to cover this completely where possible.
