Getting outside in the garden doesn’t need to stop just because it’s colder. However, the winter weather is enough to drive a lot of gardeners back inside. Despite the lack of color, frost, and continuous rain, winter is still a season of growth and creativity. In fact, it can be very rewarding to plan for the year ahead, continue to immerse yourself in nature, and get regular fresh air. Just make sure you wrap up warm!
During the winter, there is plenty you can do to maintain your garden, look after wildlife, and plan some new projects for spring and summer. Below are some ideas to guide you through the season.
Help wildlife
A lot of wildlife struggle in the winter due to the lack of shelter, warmth, and food sources. You can make a big difference by leaving out bird feed and fat balls for the birds, as well as providing fresh access to water via a bird bath. Remember to check it regularly to make sure it hasn’t frozen over!
Other animals such as hedgehogs need support too. Sadly, the hedgehog population is in decline, but you can help them. You can leave a pile of logs and leaves in the corner of your garden to provide a natural shelter for them, or even buy a hedgehog house. You can also make a small hole in your fence so hedgehogs can move between gardens, which is safer for them than navigating dangerous roads.
Get planting
Although a lot of plants are dormant during the cold season, winter flowers, such as snowdrops, bloom between January and March. They certainly bring a magical spark to your garden when it looks very bare. If you haven’t already, try planting some winter flowers so you always have some beauty in your outdoor space. November is an excellent month to plant bulbs in the ground because you can be sure to see some winter flowering from January.
Plan ahead
If you’ve had an idea in mind, this is a good time to start looking into it and planning the logistics. Sometimes the best ideas come to us in the quieter, colder months because winter reveals the garden’s framework—you can see everything due to the lack of plants and leaves. Some points to consider are wildlife, plant choices, new layouts, and composting.
You might want to do the project yourself, especially if it’s small scale, or you may wish to work with professionals with access to the best services, such as arbourlandscapesolutions.co.uk. Finding a professional is a good idea if you want add a feature such as a pathway to your garden. Laying a path is a simple but labor-intensive process. There are a lot of landscaping factors to consider, such as where to lay the path, how wide to have it, what shape, and more.
It’s also an excellent time to think about your gardening over the last year. What worked? What would you like to do differently this year? Devote some time and make a plan.