Winter is now well upon us – and with it comes the possibility of snow, ice and frost, as well as the temptation to stay inside and leave the garden until spring! There are still several jobs that need to be done to ensure your garden survives the winter and thrives when the warmer weather returns the following year.

Keep An Eye On Any New Planted Trees Or Bushes

Cold frosts can lead to the soil changing texture and density rapidly in a short space of time. This should not affect any established trees or plants, but any newly planted items (since last winter) may have their roots loosened and lifted out of the ground by these changes in the soil. Keep an especially close eye on any of these plants and try to ensure they are as protected as possible. If any roots are exposed, they can be gently pushed down back under the soil. Thick mulch can also be placed around the base of any of these plants, which will add an extra layer of protection from both the cold and also prevent the roots rising to the surface.

Brush Snow Off Any Hedges Or Conifers

When we do get snowfall, it can look incredibly pretty when the snow is clinging to the branches and foliage. However, branches can become brittle and snap under the weight of the snow. To avoid this happening, brush off any snow as soon as possible. If any of your trees or hedges need their branches pruning back, we would recommend this happens as early as possible in the season to help with this issue.

Protect Any Fragile Plants

Consider covering any plants with hessian or fleece to provide them with a little bit more protection from the cold. If the plants are mobile, you may want to group plants together to help them hold the heat. You could also move them to a south facing area of your garden (or whichever section of your garden is a ‘sun trap’ and holds the warmth best). If you have a greenhouse, ensure the most vulnerable plants are kept in there.

Consider the Wildlife

While many birds will migrate south for the winter, several species will stay local to the UK. Climate change and slightly warmer winters mean that more birds will stay in your garden. If you have a bird feeder, ensure it stays topped up (with fat-rich food if possible, as this will help protect the birds from the cold). The birds will thank you for it!

At Blue Iris Landscapes, we can carry out a one-off maintenance visit to put your garden to bed, ready for the Winter. If you require any snow clearing, hedge cuttings or more then please do contact us today!