DECEMBER 28, 2024
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Winter is a quieter time for gardeners, but there’s still plenty to do to maintain and prepare your garden. From pruning to protecting wildlife, these essential tasks will ensure your garden stays healthy through the cold months and is ready to flourish in spring.
Prune Your Roses
Winter is the perfect time to prune roses, especially in late winter before new growth begins:
- Why Prune Now? Pruning during dormancy encourages strong growth and prevents disease in the coming season.
- How to Prune: Use clean, sharp secateurs to cut back stems to about 6-12 inches, making each cut just above an outward-facing bud. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches.
- Tidy Up: Clear fallen leaves around the base to reduce the risk of fungal infections like black spot.
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Planting and Pruning Fruit Trees and Bushes
Winter is also an excellent time for planting and pruning fruit trees and bushes:
- Planting: Bare-root trees and bushes, such as apple, pear, and currants, should be planted now. Choose a sunny, sheltered spot with well-drained soil.
- Pruning: Remove dead, damaged, or overcrowded branches from established trees and bushes. Open up the center to improve airflow, which helps prevent disease and encourages fruit production.
- Mulch: After planting or pruning, apply a thick layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
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Leave Your Perennials Alone
While it’s tempting to tidy up everything, leaving perennials alone has benefits:
- Protect Plants: The dead stems and foliage help insulate the plant’s roots from frost.
- Support Wildlife: Perennials provide shelter and food for insects, birds, and other wildlife during the colder months.
- Spring Clean: Wait until early spring to cut back perennials when new growth begins to emerge.
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Turn Your Compost
Composting slows down in winter, but maintaining your compost pile is still important:
- Why Turn? Aerating the pile by turning it introduces oxygen, which helps microorganisms continue breaking down organic matter.
- Insulate the Heap: Add a layer of straw, cardboard, or a tarp to keep the pile warm and active.
- Keep Adding: Chop kitchen scraps and layer them with dry materials like shredded newspaper to maintain a good balance.
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Protect Tender Plants
Delicate plants need extra care to survive winter frosts:
- Move Indoors: If possible, bring potted tender plants into a greenhouse, conservatory, or sheltered spot.
- Wrap Up: For plants that can’t be moved, wrap them in horticultural fleece, bubble wrap, or burlap to provide insulation.
- Mulch: Add a thick layer of mulch around the base of plants to protect roots from freezing temperatures.
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Prepare for Spring
Winter is the ideal time to plan ahead for the growing season:
- Order Seeds: Choose seeds for vegetables, flowers, and herbs you want to grow. Consider varieties suited to your local climate.
- Organize Tools: Clean and sharpen gardening tools, and replace any that are worn out.
- Start Planning: Sketch out your garden layout, including crop rotation and companion planting ideas.
- Greenhouse Prep: If you have a greenhouse, clean it thoroughly and check for any repairs needed before spring planting begins.
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Protect Outside Taps
Freezing temperatures can damage outdoor taps, so take steps to protect them:
- Turn Off Supply: Shut off the water supply to outdoor taps if possible.
- Drain and Insulate: Drain any remaining water and cover the tap with an insulating jacket or thick cloth.
- Check Hoses: Disconnect garden hoses and store them indoors to prevent cracking.
Look After Wildlife
Winter can be harsh for garden wildlife, but small efforts can make a big difference:
- Feed Birds: Provide high-energy foods like sunflower seeds, suet, and peanuts in feeders. Clean feeders regularly to prevent disease.
- Water: Keep birdbaths filled with fresh water and use a heater or floating ball to prevent freezing.
- Shelter: Leave a pile of logs, leaves, or brush for insects, hedgehogs, and other small creatures to use as shelter.
