Preparing your garden for winter: protect plants and lawn

Autumn is the time to think ahead

While the leaves change colour and temperatures drop, many gardeners think the season is over. Far from it. What you do now determines how your garden will look next spring. A well-prepared garden doesn't just survive winter, it comes out stronger.

GardenWorld helps you visualise your garden's potential after seasonal care. Plan your spring design while you're getting the garden winter-ready.

Protecting vulnerable plants

Not all plants are equally hardy. Mediterranean species like lavender, rosemary and olive trees need extra protection. Wrap them in horticultural fleece or hessian, but never use plastic: it causes condensation and mould.

Container plants are particularly vulnerable because their roots have less insulation. Move them against a sheltered wall or wrap the pots in bubble wrap. Most garden centres stock frost protection jackets that make the job easier.

Tender bulbs and tubers

Dahlias, cannas and gladioli aren't hardy in the UK. Dig them up before the first hard frost, let them dry for a few days and store them in a frost-free place in dry compost or sawdust. An unheated garage or shed works perfectly.

Preparing the lawn

Give your lawn a final feed in October with a potassium-rich autumn fertiliser. Potassium strengthens the grass cell walls, helping it cope with frost. Mow one last time at a height of about four centimetres. Any shorter and the grass goes into winter with too few reserves.

Clear fallen leaves from the lawn. A thick layer smothers the grass and encourages fungal disease. Use a leaf blower or rake them up the traditional way.

Borders and soil

Cover your borders with a layer of mulch, five to ten centimetres deep. Compost, leaf mould or bark chips all work well. This layer protects roots from frost and slowly adds nutrients to the soil.

Leave dead stems of perennials standing. They provide shelter for insects and look stunning with a coating of frost. Cut them back in early spring instead.

Drainage check

Make sure rainwater can drain freely from your borders. Standing water combined with frost is devastating for plant roots. Improve drainage where needed by working grit or sand into the soil.

Tools and infrastructure

Clean and dry all your garden tools before storing them. A thin layer of oil on metal parts prevents rust. Give the mower a thorough clean and have the blade sharpened, so you're ready for spring.

Turn off outdoor taps and drain the pipes to prevent frost damage. Store the garden hose indoors or in a dry shed. Check fences and pergolas for loose parts that wouldn't survive a winter storm.

Planning ahead

The winter months are perfect for dreaming about next year. Which plants do you want to add? Should that corner by the patio change? Leaf through gardening magazines, visit an RHS show or sketch out a plan.

Take the time now to plant spring bulbs. Tulips, daffodils and crocuses need to go in before the first frost. Plant them at a depth of roughly three times the bulb's height and look forward to a colourful spring.

The reward comes in spring

An hour a week in autumn saves you days of work in March. Winterising the garden isn't a chore, it's an investment in the future. Every layer of mulch, every covered plant and every planted bulb pays you back many times over.

Want to see what your garden could look like after its winter rest? Visit GardenWorld and start designing your dream garden for the coming season.