MAKE THE MOST OF WINTER IN THE GARDEN!
here’s so much you can do in winter to spruce up your garden, yet many people tend to stay inside and wait for warmer weather. This is a mistake, according to TV plantsman and horticulturalist Michael Perry, also known as ‘Mr Plant Geek’. He has teamed up with waste removal experts HIPPO to encourage people outside with his top 10 winter gardening tips: ■ The winter is the perfect time to add plants to your garden, particularly in bare-root form. You can buy a wide range of bareroot fruit trees and perennials right now.
■ Don’t neglect winter containers – you can use a range of colourful plants, such as hellebores, primroses and pansies, to add colour to your front garden or patio.
■ Mulch plants with fresh compost, leaf mould or bark as this will keep moisture locked in and nourish the soil. Plus in the warmer months it will prevent any weeds from coming through!
■ It’s a good idea to leave the seed heads on your plants as they provide great architectural interest in the garden as well as homes for insects. But if they start to break down, it’s best to clear them from the surface of the soil, as they could spread bacteria. ■ You might find that the quieter days in winter are the perfect time to clean up your garden; pressure-wash surfaces and clear areas that you haven’t got around to.
■ If you’re doing a big garden tidy, pruning dormant shrubs and clearing away dead seeds or plants - then why not reach for a HIPPOBAG. Unlike your domestic garden bin, you can even add soil to it. Once your HIPPOBAG is full, you can book a collection for HIPPO to take it away and they’ll ensure all your garden waste is reused, recycled or disposed of ethically for you.
■ Any waterlogged lawns can be aerated by using the tines of a fork. Try to avoid walking on the lawn too often during the winter as it needs its rest, just like us!
■ If you do want to add some instant colour to your borders this winter then reach for evergreen shrubs. There are so many available in all sorts of different colours and shades.
■ Do some forward planning – use the winter months to take time to think about your perfect summer garden. Order bulbs, seeds and young plants and plan your borders ahead of time.
■ Make sure your garden is wildlife friendly as they’ll need you most during the winter months! Top up bird baths and leave out tasty foods such as fat balls and mealworms. and tips. With the right knowledge and tools to help make winter gardening convenient and stress-free, we can all use the quieter months ahead to curate a perfect garden space to enjoy in warmer seasons.”