Prepare your garden for winter A checklist

In winter nature rests. For garden lovers, the cold season means a break and a moment of relaxation on the sofa instead of between the beds. Before that happens, however, there is always a lot to do. In no case should you leave your green kingdom unprotected in the cold. In this article, you’ll learn how to prepare your garden for winter so it can grow and thrive again in the spring.

1. Mow the lawn one last time

When preparing your yard for winter, a good start is to mow the lawn one last time. When? It depends entirely on the weather conditions. Typically, you should be finished mowing your lawn by mid to late October. If temperatures drop, grass growth also decreases. However, in order for the blades of grass to receive some sun in winter, you should not cut them too short. Feel free to leave it a few inches longer than usual. And remember to collect the grass clippings so that the grass underneath doesn’t choke the air.

2. Winter protection for plants

Perennials want to be kept as protected as possible during the cold months. When preparing your garden for winter, you should know which plants are frost-resistant and which ones need special protection. Lavender, roses and camellias, for example, are hardy but tolerate low temperatures better if they are covered. For this purpose, simply place coconut mats or jute fabric over the plants in question, regardless of whether they are in tubs, pots or flower beds. You can also support your shrubs by mounding some soil around them so that the trunks are protected from the cold. Particularly sensitive plants are happy to have a winter residence in your home. It is best to give them a place in the conservatory or other bright place where no drafts can enter.

3. Empty watering cans and rain barrels

Ice can cause serious damage. Always empty watering cans and rain barrels before winter. Also store both in a frost-protected place. The garage, basement or attic are ideal for this. Prefer to water with a garden hose? This also needs a place protected from frost to overwinter. Turn off and open the water supply to the external taps. At temperatures below zero even tap water freezes. If it is turned on, the ice can expand without creating too much pressure.

4. Make the garden pond winter-proof

If you have a garden pond, you should also make it winter-proof. This includes removing the cold-sensitive pond pump from the water, emptying the inlets and outlets, and storing the pump in a frost-free location. Caution: Do not completely empty the pump itself. This could lead to overheating.

If fish and other animals live in your pond, we recommend placing an anti-ice device in the water. This prevents the pond surface from freezing completely and thus ensures that the fish receive sufficient oxygen.

Rötzer tip: Is your pond already covered in a layer of ice? Please do not make a hole in the ice cover. Pressure and sound waves disturb the water below and therefore also the animals resting there. It is best to carefully melt a hole in the ice with warm water.

5. Rake up the last leaves

Just as you shouldn’t leave cut grass on the lawn during the winter, it’s also worth raking up fallen leaves in autumn. A thick layer of wet, gradually decaying leaves deprives the soil of air to breathe. This can damage the lawn, which is dormant in the winter but still needs oxygen and sunlight. So remember to rake the leaves when preparing your garden for winter.

Rötzer tip: Piles of leaves and brush provide shelter, places to hibernate or even food sources for garden animals during the winter months. Therefore, do not throw away all the leaves, but leave some. Ricci and co. they are certainly happy with their winter home.

6. Store garden tools and garden furniture protected from frost

It’s not just plants that suffer from the cold. Frost can also affect your garden equipment. Therefore, store everything that could break due to atmospheric agents in a protected place. This mainly includes garden furniture made of plastic or wood, but also decorative objects or garden tools. A shed or gazebo is the best option for storing such items. But you can also put everything in a dry cellar or attic.

Do you have enough space on your property, but would prefer to keep it natural? So how about a natural garden? In our blog post “Creating a natural garden – a piece of nature for your home” we have collected ideas on how to make your garden friendly to nature.