{"id":3063,"date":"2021-12-01T09:00:34","date_gmt":"2021-12-01T09:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gardenbenches.com\/blog\/?p=3063"},"modified":"2021-11-18T14:46:43","modified_gmt":"2021-11-18T14:46:43","slug":"winter-gardening-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gardenbenches.com\/blog\/winter-gardening-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Winter Gardening Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Winter may seem like quite a dismal time in the garden. All the autumnal colours are fading, the days are shorter, and it’s the time when you have to put your garden to bed, confirming the end of the growing season. However, just because the weather’s making you feel worn out doesn’t mean your garden is too. Although planting and nurturing seeds aren’t at the very top of the list, there are still plenty of winter garden jobs that you need to keep on top of. So, to help keep your green fingers busy over the cold months, here is the ultimate winter gardening guide for you to follow to guarantee a bountiful spring.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Winter Gardening Jobs<\/span><\/h2>\n

The list of gardening jobs for the winter may not be as long as those for the other seasons, though they are equally as important. Taking proper care of your garden through the dormant months will make for a more bountiful, low maintenance spring, so set the time aside in your schedule to get ahead this season.<\/span><\/p>\n

Plant Winter Flowering Bulbs<\/span><\/h3>\n

If you haven’t already, make planting winter flowering bulbs top of your list. Doing so at the beginning of the season by the very latest will mean bright colours from January through to spring.<\/span><\/p>\n

Deadhead Autumn Flowering Plants<\/span><\/h3>\n

As autumn draws to a close, deadhead the plants from the season that are beginning to fade. This will keep the plants looking nice and encourage more blooms next year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prune Summer Flowering Shrubs<\/span><\/h3>\n

Severely reduce any summer flowering shrubs before growth begins to save you a job in the spring and support healthier growth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mend Any Structures<\/span><\/h3>\n

To ensure your plants will survive the winter, check their support structures early. Then, get any repairs done before the elements cause even more damage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Protect Plants<\/span><\/h3>\n

Move potted plants indoors, to the greenhouse or to a more sheltered garden area to avoid damage. For bed plants, try adding mulch over the roots or covering them up before frosts can get to them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dig New Garden Beds<\/span><\/h3>\n

If you have clay soil, you can now dig new garden beds. First, however, make sure that the ground is dry and hasn’t been affected by a recent frost. If you have sandy soil, you should wait until spring to dig your beds to avoid moisture loss.<\/span><\/p>\n

Harvest Vegetable Garden<\/span><\/h3>\n

Harvest the last of your crops and store any root vegetables. Make sure you discard any harvested crops that aren’t in good condition.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cover Empty Beds<\/span><\/h3>\n

Cover any flower or vegetable beds that you aren’t using with landscape fabric or weighted down cardboard over winter. This will prevent the loss of nutrients and help the soil warm up quicker in the spring.<\/span><\/p>\n

Spread Out Compost<\/span><\/h3>\n

Fork in compost to your beds now for healthier plants next spring. If you have no-dig raised beds, spread it on top.<\/span><\/p>\n

Put Out Bird Feeders<\/span><\/h3>\n

Providing a mix of nuts, seeds and dried fruit, plus a birdbath, will give the birds a food source when it’s harder to find. Make sure that you replenish both regularly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Clean Your Tools<\/span><\/h3>\n

Clean, sharpen and fix any gardening tools now while you don’t need them. Now’s also an excellent time to clean out greenhouses and potting sheds.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Protect Garden Furniture<\/span><\/h3>\n

You should protect garden seats, tables, loungers and benches through the winter for longevity and quality. You can treat your wooden furniture to protect it from the elements, then cover it in\u00a0<\/span>cushions<\/span><\/a>\u00a0for an all-year-round seat, or invest in a\u00a0<\/span>cover<\/span><\/a>\u00a0for fully guaranteed protection.<\/span><\/p>\n

Order Seeds For Spring<\/span><\/h3>\n

Get ahead on ordering your seeds for next year to avoid disappointment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Winter Prune Fruit Trees<\/span><\/h3>\n

Fruit trees are dormant during winter, so give them a thorough pruning for more bountiful growth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sow Vegetables Indoors<\/span><\/h3>\n

Start growing your vegetables indoors, and sow plants that you will plant outside in spring. You can also chit potatoes now.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Best Winter Garden Plants<\/span><\/h2>\n

Winter is a surprisingly bountiful season if you plant smartly. Many hardy vegetables will survive through the temperatures with the proper care, and it’s the perfect time to get a head start on the growing season next year. So take good care of these crops, whether you grow them indoors or are brave enough to try outside, and you can continue flexing your green fingers throughout winter.<\/span><\/p>\n

Flowers<\/span><\/h3>\n