Let It, Snow! Advice for Winter-Proofing Your Garden

Buildings

If you have a greenhouse on your property, make sure that there’s no damage to any glass panes or tears in any of the seals or polythene. Snow can worsen these problems. Clear snow as soon as possible from your greenhouse to make sure it doesn’t buckle.

Keep your greenhouse heater well stocked with fuel!

Check your shed roof for torn felting, and repair or replace as necessary, to prevent damp or leaks getting into it.

Ponds, Birdbaths & Pools

If you can afford a pond heater, invest in one, especially if you have fish.

If you’ve got a birdbath, placing a tennis ball in the water can prevent it from freezing, so long as you supply fresh water every day and keep bird food well stocked.

Plant Life

Knock snow off of leaves when you see it, as heavy snow can break branches, and freeze the life from weaker plants.

Make use of evergreen plants and trees whenever possible. These plants have evolved ways of surviving the British winter.

Containers

Don’t leave containers lying around: store them in a dry, high place. Snow can cover containers, making them potentially hazardous.

Pathways

Use rock salt on your pathways to ensure they’re safe to walk on. Many an injury has been caused by slipping on snow and ice: this is especially hazardous for children and the elderly.

Don’t forget that the cold can actually be a good thing for your garden, but preparing a garden for the winter is the most important thing to do! Pests find it difficult to survive our British winters, and snow can insulate your lawn and plants against the freezing wind. Nature equips many plants with a kind of hibernation which sees them through to Spring. Brickwork, masonry and woodwork isn’t so lucky, to keep your eyes peeled for structural problems until March!

That’s all for this month: Merry Christmas, and we’ll see you again next month for a Happy New Year!

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