Preparing Your Garden For Spring

It has to be said that after a pretty disappointing Summer, September and October proved to be surprisingly mild, which meant there were further opportunities to sit in and enjoy our gardens. But with November we have the first frosts and temperatures that are only in single figures, and are dropping to freezing in the evening, it is safe to say that our gardens are going to see less use over the next couple of months. And this means now is the time to prepare our garden for the Spring by packing up the remnants of our Summer garden, and planning for the new features that will take their place come March/April.

Pack Away

The first thing to do is to pack away the things in your garden that can be wrecked and ruined by the cold weather. Garden furniture needs to be packed away, particular parasols, covered in protective plastic and stored in garden sheds. Ceramic planters can crack when the weather turns colder, so these need to be cleaned, with dead plants composted and the planters stored away ready for next year. Children’s garden toys will also be better stored away, although things like goalposts may still be used through the winter months, after all the Premier and football leagues currently play all through Winter, so these can be left, especially if they are weather proof Samba style goals.

Protecting Perennial Plants

Some plants are perennials, meaning that they come back year after year. These plants need protecting as they go into hibernation, particularly as you want them to come back next year.

Cut them back when the weather starts to turn colder and then mulch the soil to provide a protective covering. This should ensure the perennial plants come back stronger and healthier in the New Year.

Thinking ahead to Next Spring

Whilst everyone else is looking towards Christmas, it is actually the perfect time to invest in items like garden furniture and garden gazebos. Many of these items have big discounts during late Autumn and Winter, which means you can get something that could be practical in your Spring garden, or could completely change the look of it, at a very big discount.

Most garden gazebos will come packed well and are easy to store during the Winter months, but could also be used as a smoking shelter if you decide to have a party on New Year’s Eve and don’t want smoking in your home.

Another item that you can store for warmer days but can be picked up as a bargain now is a barbecue.  When Summer comes the price of these rise dramatically, particularly if we have a heatwave, but in Winter you can pick barbecues up so much cheaper and can simply store them in your shed or outhouse.

Despite the fact that it is now cold and is bound to get even colder, now is the time to look at your garden, see what you need to pack away, and then be forward thinking in your plans for 2018. When you are sitting in the Spring sunshine, admiring the perennials that have returned and enjoying the comfort of your new garden furniture, you will be glad you did.

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