Garden expert's five things to do now to get ready for winter

Cold weather can make it less inviting to head into the garden on a weekend but it is important to make sure you have it winter-ready for the coming months

Our gardens can be busy and relaxing places over the summer but often quickly get overlooked as temperatures fall. However it is important if you want to make the most of them next year to carry out some key tasks now.

According to gardening expert Emily Green, from Howarth Timber , there are five key steps to take now to freshen up your garden and prepare it for the winter .

1) Tidy up your garden

When should you start preparing your garden for winter? As September transitions into October, it is critical to eliminate rubbish and keep the garden as tidy as possible.

Remove any undesirable waste to your compost heap, trim perennial plants back to soil level, and make sure your potting shed is in good working condition. However, the soil will appreciate being left alone since it needs protection from the miseries of winter; over-digging can eliminate all the natural decay that has contributed to the formation of a protective top layer.

2) Protect your garden from flooding

Flooding can have a detrimental impact on your garden. As your soil becomes waterlogged, it saturates and kills the roots, so many garden plants and shrubs are unable to withstand heavy rainfall. So be prepared when the likelihood of heavy rain develops.

To keep plants from rotting and dying after heavy rains, cultivate your soil all year round and consider planting them on raised beds to raise them out of harm's way. Raised beds can also benefit from a further layer of protection, such as within a timber sleeper, which could not only provide a contemporary component to your garden but also the opportunity to rejig your garden aesthetic to include decorative raised beds.

Clogged Gutters

The other dreaded product of heavy rainfall and flooding is a clogged gutter, which can cause leaks under the roof and ultimately into your home's walls. As we move into October, gutters are beginning to get clogged with falling leaves or other debris, and rainfall collects in them rather than flowing away from the home via downspouts and drains at the base of each wall. Particularly during the Autumn season, gutter cleaning should be done on a regular basis to guarantee that water is constantly directed away from your property.

3) Strip back your plants

Prune your flowers

Pruning your plants includes cutting off dead flowers, uprooting annual summer bloomers and pruning back your shrubbery before the first frost appears. Once you’ve done this, adding mulch and organic compost in and around your plants helps to protect them from the winter frost, and conserve their energy to bloom again in the spring.

De-weed

As we all know, weeds may become an issue if allowed to grow wild, and if they aren't managed early in the winter, they will become a greater problem in the spring. Weeds should be removed from the root, especially if they have grown through pavement joints or along garden edging. You might have to use a weed-killer, so try to choose one that is less harmful to the environment, and keep in mind that spraying close to your garden border may affect the development of surrounding plants.

4) Cover up your garden furniture

The colder seasons are not pleasant to your outdoor furniture, since moisture and rainy spells generate possible rust and mould. To not only preserve your garden aesthetic but also extend the lifespan of your furniture, and as you won’t be needing them so often, it is best to store garden furniture pieces in the shed or garage. If this is not possible, thick waterproof sheet covers can be securely secured around them, and cushions can be stored in waterproof bags in a garage or shed.

5) Planting for next year

Planting bulbs for spring is one of the most enjoyable early winter tasks. The soil is in its prime for planting tulips, daffodils, pansies, bluebells, etc.; simply thinking about them will remind you why you're choosing to battle the early cold outside. Whether you prefer regularity and symmetry or just a blaze of springtime blossoms, this activity will help you think about the bright months ahead.