Winter gardening - the basics
As the cooler weather sets in, it's easy to forget about the garden and stay indoors where it's warm and cosy. To get the most out of your garden come spring time though, there are several jobs that can be completed over winter.
Firstly, if you have a lawn area, now is an opportune time to spray any weeds that may be growing through. Many grasses are actually dormant during winter eg Buffalo, Cooch and Kikuyu, so weeds have a tendency to take over if left to their own devices (don't we all know it!) And if ignored until spring, the task of restoring your lawn to its former glory can often be too overwhelming!
Secondly, perennials, roses and hydrangeas should be cut back or pruned. There's no better way to stimulate growth for spring so this really is a must if you want healthy, colourful flowers in your garden later this year. Larger deciduous trees that need a trim are also easier to prune over winter as you see the branches you want to cut far easier than during the other seasons when they are full with leaves. Be sure to ask for help if you need to climb a tall ladder or use larger gardening equipment.
Lastly, mulch, mulch, mulch! Every garden space no matter how big or small will benefit from a new layer of compost or mulch. If you have a spacious garden this work can be done far more effectively in winter when the sun is not beating down on your back. The benefits of mulching are many - it keeps weeds at bay, helps conserve water, increases soil health and looks great.
So, keep active and give you garden a little TLC this winter! You'll see the huge difference it makes once spring arrives.
