Gardeners are being urged to tackle four essential tasks before Christmas to ensure a vibrant display when spring arrives – with experts warning that preparation is key
With the UK in the grasp of winter, gardening enthusiasts might be inclined to down tools, yet experts have flagged four key tasks that need ticking off before Santa comes to town.
Prestige Flowers’ brand manager Elise Harlock has dished out her best winter garden care advice, stressing that a bit of graft now can lead to a dazzling display later on. “A little effort in winter goes a long way,” she urges, pinpointing the vital chores to safeguard and spruce up your green space.
1. Soil preparation
The bedrock of any blooming garden is healthy soil, and Elise champions adding a “generous layer of organic matter, such as compost, well-rotted manure, or leaf mould,” as a top way to pack in nutrients and fend off the cold snap’s bite, setting the stage for plants’ springtime success.
2. Pruning plants
Trimming is not just about good looks – it’s essential for plant health. “Cut back perennials, roses, and fruit trees to remove dead or diseased wood and shape plants for the new growing season,” Elise instructs.
Remember, tidy tools equal happy plants, reports the Express. Making sure those secateurs are clean and sharp is in part a cleanliness drive to stop disease spread, making this chore a dual-purpose act of both upkeep and defence.
3. Tool and structure maintenance
Use winter downtime to give your gear and garden get-ups some TLC. A thorough scrub, sharpen, and oiling session for your equipment will ward off the rust, while fixing up any wobbly trellises or broken fences can thwart weather wear-and-tear from taking its toll.
4. Planting bulbs for spring
And don’t forget, forward-thinking for flourishings of tulips and daffodils come spring should be high on the agenda. Elise, a gardening expert, has shared her top tips for a blooming marvellous garden come spring. She suggests getting your hands dirty now by planting daffodils, tulips, crocuses, and hyacinths at a depth two to three times the bulb’s height.
“Group them in clusters for a natural and striking effect,” she recommends, promising a burst of colour when the warmer weather rolls back around. By putting in the work now, Elise assures green-fingered enthusiasts they’ll be greeted with lush, healthy growth as the seasons change.
“Taking the time to prepare your garden now will reward you with vibrant growth and beautiful blooms,” she promises.