With blustery days, cold snaps and darker evenings drawing in, winter is often the time where we hunker down and cosy up in the warmth of the indoors, leaving the garden to fend for itself, but a little bit of effort here and there within our outdoor space certainly pays off.
From small tasks like tidying up any garden debris to bigger jobs like creating a winter wonderland, there are plenty of things you can be doing to make the garden an aesthetically pleasing place now, as well as some key preparation work you can do to make it look fantastic when spring rolls around.
If you think garden jobs aren’t for the winter, then think again as we take a look below at all the things you could be doing as a proud gardener and homeowner.
Keep it neat and tidy
Fallen, decaying leaves, dirty garden tools, broken lights and shabby looking fences – these are some of the tasks in the garden that get left until last, but ultimately leave it looking quite messy. Even if your garden isn’t necessarily looking bright and colourful throughout the winter season, it doesn’t mean that it should be left unkempt, in fact it’s the perfect time to neaten everything up and keep it looking clean and tidy.
Spend some time outside raking any leaves, trimming any overgrown branches, treating decking and patio areas, while furniture is out of the way, and fix any fence panels that are loose to prepare for stormy days. Give your garden tools a once over and if any need replacing, fixing or cleaning, then do this, and replace or fix any broken lights that have been waiting for your attention. If you need to replace any lights or you feel that your pathways could be better lit, head to simplesolarliving.com for a rundown of the best outdoor solar lights for this year.
You could also consider if there are any other simple additions you can make to your outdoor space that ensure you won’t be spending too many hours out in the cold, such as buying a bird house for the local wildlife, a sculpture to add style to your garden or perhaps undertaking a little outdoor painting in between rainy days to save you having to do it in summer.
Plan for a potential revamp
The winter months provide the perfect opportunity for you to sit back and think about any potential renovations you wish to undertake over the next year. Is there a modern garden office that you’ve always dreamed of creating on the cards? Perhaps a summerhouse is more up your street, or you’ve always fancied designing a dedicated outdoor dining area full of Mediterranean inspiration. Now is the time to sit back and plan for that big project.
Make sure you take into account the budget, materials, and availability of any experts you will need to hire for the work. To help bring your vision to life, speak with a garden designer/landscaper who can assist you with the finer details, help you iron out any issues and provide you with a wealth of useful information, ideas and workforce to help you realise your big dreams.
Create a Christmas winter wonderland
Christmas decorations don’t have to sit solely inside your home, and they don’t have to be tacky either. Why not get creative this year and set up some light up decorations in your garden to spread a little cheer? If you don’t fancy dazzling the neighbours, you could create a scene in your back garden just for yourself and your family or get creative with a decorative doorstep. Perhaps you’ve always wanted to create your own little grotto in the garden or you fancy going all out this year, there’s still time!
Make a planting schedule
Get ahead and make a plan for the year to come. This is especially important if you are the type of gardener that likes to get digging with your very own kitchen garden. There is always something you can be doing to ensure your crops are going to be the best, whether that’s starting them off indoors, pairing them with the correct partners and the positioning of your crops in the garden. Organisation is key here.
