If you close the door on your garden in November and entirely ignore it until springtime, you certainly aren’t alone. Even those of us that enjoy gardening, and spending time in our carefully curated outdoor space over the warmer months, often forget about them in the winter when it’s too cold to enjoy being outdoors.
But, even if you don’t want to spend time enjoying your garden, it’s important that you take steps to protect it from harsh weather and cold temperatures. Or you’ll walk outside for the first time in spring to find that your garden is damaged, your lawn is waterlogged, your plants are dead, and that you’ve got a lot of work to do to get things ready for the sunshine.
Taking a few simple steps to protect your garden from winter weather can mean that all it needs is springtime is a little TLC to get it back to its best. Here’s a look at some of the most effective ways to protect your garden this winter.
Protect Your Fences
Garden fences are great, they give us some privacy, we can use them to add color, and even to hang planters and baskets. But, in the winter our fences and other wood, such as our sheds, can quickly become damaged and unpleasant.
If you live in a wet area, you might have already noticed the growth of green algae on your outdoor wood. This can lead to more serious damage, as well as it looking unsightly and smelling bad.
Learn more about removing green algae from wood before combatting it. You’ll want to remove the algae before weather treating your woodwork. Now, this might be a quick job, but if you leave algae for too long it will quickly grow and spread.
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Cover and Move Plants
Any seasonal plants might have already been lost, but don’t make the mistake of thinking that perennials will survive no matter what.
Hardy plants might be fine where they are, but you might want to cover them in bubble wrap or build a cover tunnel to keep them warm. You can also add a layer of mulch to your borders, which will act as a blanket and prevent frost.
Less hardy plants should be carefully moved into greenhouses, or at least more sheltered areas where they are less likely to be damaged by wind and frost.
Protect Water Features
If you have a large water feature like a pond, adding a water heater and a cover can protect it. However, keep in mind that small features can also become damaged in the winter.
Pumps can freeze, and so should be turned off and brought inside. The water in your feature can also freeze, damaging the stone. So, make sure they are completely empty, and dry off or empty them after a very wet day. If possible, bring them inside for the cold weeks and before any icy weather.
If you’ve been avoiding the garden up until now, don’t worry, it’s not too late. Even a few small changes can help to keep your garden looking its best all year around.
