10 Ways to Prepare Your Garden for Winter

Winter is well and truly on its way, there is a nip in the air and the days are getting shorter. Now is your last chance to carry out some final planting and to prepare the garden, before winter arrives to do its worst.

1. Gutters, downpipes and drains – Check that gutters, drains and the tops of downpipes are free of leaves and general debris so they can effectively remove wastewater in stormy weather.
2. Water butts – The autumn is a good time to empty and clean out water butts, and then they can be collecting plenty of water through the winter.
3. Sheds, fences and decking – Check that fencing and the shed roof are secure. Carry out any repairs to any rotten timber on the shed or decking.
4. Outdoor Furniture – Store furniture indoors if possible or cover securely with plastic sheeting. Now is a good time to treat hardwood furniture that remains outdoors all year, with teak oil.
5. Shrubs – Now is the time to start planting shrubs for next spring and summer before the winter really closes in. Popular shrubs include viburnum, choisea and Olearia which all give shape, colour and structure to the garden.
6. Spring bulbs – Daffodils, tulips, alliums and crocus should be planted by the end of November to give you a cheery array of colour in the spring
7. Perennials – (plants that die down in winter, but reappear year after year) – again it is an ideal time to plant for next year but if established perennials such as sedum and perennial ­geraniums are getting too large, now is a good time to divide the plants.
8. Install an artificial lawn. – It won’t need any maintenance over the winter months and when the spring comes back around, it will look just as lush and green as before. No brown/bald patches, no need for treatments and care.

For more information on artificial lawns contact Artificial Grass Direct on 0845 177 1664