Autumn is the perfect time to start prepping your garden for winter. There are a few things you may not consider when it comes to getting winter-ready, so here are some of our top tips and things to think about.
November is the perfect time to get organised before the worst of the winter weather. Bad weather is inevitable, so whether you have a large space or a small garden, it’s good to be prepared for what’s ahead.
Batten down the hatches
Secure or store things that may be in danger of blowing away during blustery weather. With storms coming thick and fast during the winter months it’s best to think ahead when it comes to furniture, equipment, planters or outdoor toys that might go AWOL in the wind.
It’s also worth checking sheds, fences and any outdoor structures for signs of wear or weakness. Check fences to see if they might need securing and shed rooves for signs of any leaks that may need to be repaired. Checking your garden for anything that might be affected by winter mishaps due to bad weather is a good first step to getting your garden ready.
Put away or secure things such as children’s toys, slides or trampolines – anything that won’t be used over the winter can be stored away. The last thing you want is your trampoline flying over the fence in the wind. If you don’t have space for storing garden furniture, invest in some good covers to keep them protected over the winter months.
Think about wildlife
If you want to make your garden more wildlife-friendly throughout winter, there are a few things you can do to help:
Build some wildlife habitats like bug or insect hotels.
Put up nest boxes.
Keep bird feeders regularly topped up.
Leave dry plant stems in place until spring (insects will stay in them during winter).
Check bonfires or woodpiles for hibernating animals before burning or moving.
Trim your hedges in winter whilst nothing is nesting.
If you have a pond, melt a hole in the ice if it freezes over (or pop a tennis ball or two in).
Give the Garden a health check
If you’re overlooked by any trees or have any in your garden, it’s worth checking that all looks ok before the worst of the weather hits. Pruning or removing dead or diseased trees, branches or bushes so they don’t do any damage over the winter months is worthwhile.
Pruning your garden during the milder weather is the best time to do so. Perennials, certain herbs and plants such as lavender are best pruned before winter. If you have a lawn, check for any areas of dead grass or moss and remove them. The lawn will also benefit from raking if it’s not too wet.
We offer a comprehensive range of tree maintenance services, hedge cutting and emergency callouts in the case of storm damage. If you have any questions about our services, feel free to get in touch for impartial advice.
A few things to consider
Along with the typical garden maintenance we’ve touched upon, there are a few things you might not have thought about. Here are some additional garden maintenance checks to carry out before the worst of winter:
Check your drainage, downpipes and any areas that could get blocked and clear them, removing any fallen leaves that may have cluttered in the area.
Invest time in some ground maintenance such as grass cutting, ground clearance or hedge cutting.
Clean paving or decking areas to prevent surfaces from becoming slippery.
Apply fertilizer to your trees ready for the winter season.
Apply organic mulch to the base of trees at risk of freezing to protect the roots.
Talk to us if you’re concerned about any branches or trees around your property. Our trained and qualified arborists will happily call out and assess the health and stability of surrounding trees.
Consider sand in place of salt on paths or driveways to help protect and trees and shrubs.
Clear leaves from lawns and paths to give your lawn some breathing space and prevent any obvious slipping hazards.
If you have a log burner or fireplace, you can top up your log store ready for winter. After all, could there be anything more festive than log-lit fire?
If you’re unsure about anything at all or want some advice on any trees or grounds maintenance, contact The Arb Team on:
Phone – 01792 885184
Email – hello@thearbteam.co.uk
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