Winter is a fairly quiet time in the garden, but there is always plenty to do. In this post, we’ll look at things you can do now – in the winter – to give yourself a head start on next year’s gardening tasks. Getting ahead will not only keep you busy, but ensure a successful gardening season in 2023.
Plan, plan, plan!
Sit down with a cuppa and think about what you’d like to achieve in your garden in 2023. It may be that you are very happy with your garden and just wish to continue with ‘business as usual’.
On the other hand, perhaps you have a project in mind for next year. Maybe you’d like to make your garden more wildlife-friendly or perhaps you’re aiming to grow more veg in 2023. Perhaps now is the time for that pond or patio you’ve been thinking about for years!
The key to success, as with most things in life, is to get ahead of the game. So, firstly, dream some gardening dreams and make a plan.
Order seeds and summer flowering bulbs
Most of us think of summer colour when we think about our gardens. But don’t leave it too late!
Winter is the best time to order your seeds and tender summer bulbs to ensure summer garden colour. Then, as soon as the frosts have passed you can get them in the ground.
As far as seeds go, you may want to start sowing and starting out your seeds in February, so it’s worth getting them now.
It’s also a good time to order other supplies such as string, labels, a cold frame, etc.
Plant any late or forgotten bulbs
What about spring colour? Well, spring flowering bulbs (daffodils, hyacinths and crocus) should in theory have gone in the ground by October, and tulips in November.
But if you didn’t manage it this year, there’s absolutely no harm in giving late planting a go. Many people plant in December and even into January with success.
Simply give the bulbs a thorough check and discard any rotten or soft ones before planting. The bulbs may flower a little later than expected but there’s no harm in that.
Clean patios and paths
Patios and paths are such an important part of your garden, but they need some maintenance to keep them tidy – and safe. No one wants a slimy or slippy patio or path.
Start with a through sweep with a firm outdoor brush, and then give the whole thing a clean.
We avoid harsh chemical cleaners which do not do your garden any good and can harm wildlife. Instead, we suggest a pressure washer with a patio cleaning head. Be sure to wear waterproofs!
This is a garden maintenance job our helpful team is more than happy to take on for you, just give us a call.
Prune shrubs and roses
Pruning shrubs and roses is an important job for the winter.
Although in order to make your garden wildlife-friendly we advise not stripping your garden back to the bare minimum in the winter, some pruning is needed.
Don some heavy-duty gardening gloves to protect yourself from thorns, grab your secateurs and get pruning. It will improve the shape and growth of your roses for next year.
If your roses have suffered from Blackspot (caused by the fungus Diplocarpon rosae), it’s super important to remove all the dead leaves and dispose of them now, before the new growing season starts. It’s even worth picking off any leaves which have remained on the plant into the winter.
Winter shrubs and plants such as buddleia, fuscia and late-flowering clematis will also benefit from pruning.
Check out our advice on how to prune your plants.
Schedule any gardening work
If you do have plans to have some work done on your garden in 2023, it makes sense to get the ball rolling now. Quality gardening designers like our team do get booked up and it’s best to discuss your ideas and get a date in the diary for landscaping work. Just get in touch for a no-obligation chat.
Similarly, if time is short or your garden maintenance is becoming a bit much, book a one-off or regular session with the team. We’re only too happy to help.