Gardening Through The Seasons: Winter Tasks

Winter can be a tricky time for gardeners, but it is also an opportunity to reset and plan for the coming season. While many plants are in slumber, there are some that will thrive, and several important garden tasks to think about, so you can savour the joys of gardening all year round.

Here are our top winter garden tasks:

1. Plant winter crops

There are many wonderful crops you can grow throughout the winter season. From onions and garlic to kale and carrots, using greenhouses or covering outdoor beds with frost protection, as well as taking the time to acclimatise your young crops before moving them outside, will ensure you get the best from your garden and tasty fresh food in the kitchen, even in winter.

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2. Trim back trees and roses

Winter is a great time to grab those secateurs and loppers, ready to shape and tidy trees, shrubs, roses and more. Before you start always sharpen, clean and disinfect your tools and always check specific guidance for your plants. Generally from autumn and through winter is the best time to prune and cut back around the garden, while many plants are dormant.

An important part of your plant care routine, pruning and cutting back ensures there is sufficient airflow and circulation around the plant and is an opportunity to remove dead, diseased or damaged wood. It is also a chance to consider your plant’s overall appearance, removing unsightly stems, so it looks its best in spring.

If you are tidying your roses, then visit our blog, ‘Rose pruning tips for bountiful blooms’ for our step-by-step guide.

Tip: Winter is also an excellent time to plant trees, shrubs and roses. Just avoid planting when the soil is waterlogged or frozen.

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3. Plant winter flowering plants

Hellebores, Primroses, Clematis and Pansies are all wonderful examples of flowering plants that can be enjoyed throughout the winter months. Whether its vibrant pops of colour with primroses or the elegance and beauty of a Hellebore, also known as the Christmas Rose or Lenton Rose, the winter garden needn’t be dull.

We think it is hard to beat the timeless beauty of a Hellebore. It makes an excellent addition to winter pots, as well as beds and borders with its large nodding flowers and lustrous foliage. Hellebores will happily thrive through the winter snow and frost, adding colour and interest to enjoy that returns year after year. Available in magnificent shades of pink, plum, purple, white and green, there is a variety to suit every style.

Tip: Avoid planting your Hellebore in a very wet or very dry position, with scorching sun in summer. They dislike extremes but are otherwise very easy to grow.

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4. Care for wildlife

Winter can be a tough time for birds and other animals. With depleted food sources and limited water during cold snaps, a few simple steps can make all the difference. Make sure birds can access water and high fat feeds, such as suet balls, so they survive the winter and remember to clean bird feeders with disinfectant to prevent the spread of disease. You will then enjoy a garden alive with nature all year round.

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