How to Make the Most of Your Winter Garden

Rather than getting upset about the frosty temperatures and the lack of sun, you should take the winter months as an opportunity to plan new projects for your garden. In winter, all the plants retreat back into the ground and you have the great chance to see your garden in its most exposed way.

This is a great time to think about the structure of the garden because a winter garden will give you a better idea about lines, directions and dimensions. Planning during the winter will also make the cold months pass by quicker because you will have something exciting to look forward to in the months to come.

Here are a few things that you should think about during the winter in order to make full use of your garden all year round.

Think About the Summer

Getting a new porch does not have to be a summer project. These larger projects that require making larger changes such as adding a new seating arrangement can be started already. You will be able to measure exactly how big the extension can be. For your porch for instance, you might want to attach a porch roof to protect you from the rain and sun. Other changes such as preparing for the installation of a carport or portico are also made easier while your garden is hibernating. 

Think About the Birds

Birds are not lucky enough to have a roof over their heads and a crackling fire in the fireplace. And the harsher the winter, the harder it is for them to find food. Often, they will turn to your garden to stay alive. Make sure that you stock up on some bird food. You will not only help the birds make it through the winter but it will also make your garden come alive in this otherwise barren season.

Think About the Storms

By preparing your garden properly before the snow storms hit, you can reduce the damage and make your life easier in the long run. Protect and tie up any large shrubberies and trees. And once the snow has fallen, make sure to gently shake it off the thin branches. While a pristine snow blanket might look magical, it can be harmful to plants with thin twigs as they will break off under the weight.

Bring Your Garden Inside

Your most delicate plants should be protected from the cold and frosty temperatures. Especially citrus plants cannot handle our northern winters very well. That's where orangeries come in handy. With an orangery roof, they will get enough light throughout the winter while being cosy warm during the cold season.

We hope you find these tips useful. Although winter can be exciting because of all the holidays, they can also be a bit gloomy for garden lovers. These tips will hopefully help you plan exciting things for your garden regardless of the season.

For more information on porch roofs, carports and architectural mouldings make sure you read our other great blog posts or have a nosy around some of our products for inspiration.