It’s impossible to deny the inevitable as the garden slides into dormancy and winter approaches, so make the most of any spells of good weather and prepare your garden for its slumber.
Look after containers
Use pot feet for metal and glazed pots, to lift them off the ground to improve drainage. (For porous terracotta containers it’s not as important.) If you’re planting up pots for winter interest and they’re made of metal, line with old compost bags to provide insulation – metal absorbs the cold more readily.
Put pots in a huddle
Give container plants extra protection by gathering them together near the house. This can stop them blowing over in windy weather, and will also create a microclimate, raising the temperature slightly and protecting them from frost. If they’re caught in the rain shadow of the house they’ll need water occasionally, to prevent them drying out completely.
Lift tubers
Cut back the stems of dahlias and cannas to 10-15cm and lift from the soil. If you live somewhere with mild winters, leave the tubers in place and mulch with a thick layer of compost. Otherwise lift them and leave somewhere frost-free, with the tubers upside down for a few weeks; this will allow them to dry out. Pack in boxes of dry compost or wrap in newspaper, and store somewhere dry and frost-free.
Protect tender plants
Bring tender plants under cover if possible. A greenhouse or porch will provide extra protection for plants such as pelargoniums and lemon verbena. Water only if the compost is bone dry – and sparingly. More plants are lost over winter from cold, damp soil than from frost damage. Wrap tender plants that can’t be moved in hessian, straw or fleece.
Look after your lawn
Use a spring-tined rake to scratch out the thatch of moss, dead grass and leaf litter. Improve drainage by adding holes with a fork and brushing in sand. This will help the roots to cope with periods of prolonged rain, prevent moss buildup and give your grass renewed vigour in spring.
Spread mulch
A layer of mulch will act like a duvet, trapping warmth in the soil and protecting it from heavy rain. Use leaf mould, compost, well-rotted manure, bark and leave an area around the stems of plants bare to prevent rotting. Worms will slowly take the mulch down into the soil, where nutrients will be released to fuel spring growth. Mulches improve soil structure, making it more able to hold on to nutrients and moisture.
Collect leaf mould
Collect fallen leaves and store them in a container. You can buy hessian sacks, but they tend to break down before the leaves do. Use an old plastic dustbin with holes punctured in the base and sides to allow air in. Keep the lid on and water occasionally to keep the leaves moist – this will speed up decomposition. It’ll take a year to break down to use as a mulch; two years to use in compost mixes.
Take care of tools
Give your tools a clean before you hang them up for winter. Sharpen cutting blades – I use a whetstone from a hardware shop, or try the Dia-Sharp mini hones (set of three, £35.46, from axminster.co.uk). Rub on a protective coating of oil to prevent rust and you’ll be ready to go at the first sign of spring.
Get greenhouses gleaming
Give the glass on greenhouses and cold frames a clean to maximise the amount of light that gets through. Light is a precious resource at this time of year, and removing a layer of dust and dirt from the glass can make a huge difference to the plants overwintering inside.
Doorstep plants
Not all of us fancy making special journeys into the garden to see flowering plants at this time of year. The solution? Gather a collection of autumn, winter and early spring performers in containers by the door, to greet you as you pop in and out. Here are some suggestions:
Winter-flowering pansies and violas Can’t be beaten for flower power and colour. Try ‘Red Blotch’, ‘Sangria’ and ‘Sunrise’.
Hellebores Bring a touch of glamour to winter. Look for the long-flowering Helleborus × sahinii ‘Winterbells’ and the exquisite Christmas rose, H. niger.
Mahonia ‘Soft Caress’ Spine-free and compact, it’s ideal for a large container. It has the added bonus of fragrance (see plant offer below).
For fabulous foliage colour Try Heuchera ‘Autumn Leaves’, Tiarella ‘Crow Feather’ or Heucherella ‘Copper Cascade’.
Plant offer
Buy one 13cm potted Mahonia ‘Soft Caress’ for £19.99, or two for £29.98 (prices include free UK mainland p&p). Call 0330 333 6856, quoting ref GU446, or go to our Readers’ Offers page. Dispatch: from late November
