Winter Gardening Guide

Sitting in a wintery cabin looking out at my garden, I can see all of the tasks that I didn’t get round to this year. When I think of the year ahead in my garden, I always have a vague idea of the bigger projects and jobs I’d like to complete, and at the beginning of 2025, the biggest remaining project in my garden was the main patio area near the house.

This is arguably the most important part of any garden as it’s viewed from within your house all year round, and usually is the area that is used most frequently, too. In all honesty, it’s the area I’ve kind of avoided in my own garden as, for the longest time, I simply couldn’t settle on a solid idea without changing something every couple of months.

The best plan was to wait. So wait I did.

Whilst in this period of pause, the old decrepit garage was pulled down and rebuilt with my much adored cabin, the mysterious huge slabs of  concrete were mostly broken down and a new morning terrace area created at the back of the garden, the vegetable patch was built and the planting beds were created, planted and gradually became more established. And still, I waited.

During the spring I realised I was as ready as I was ever going to be, and decided it was time to crack on. With the garden built up around it, I knew exactly how I wanted to use the patio area, I knew the materials that were going to compliment the house and overall garden vibes and I was ready to commit. I got the wonderful landscapers booked in and the project was discussed, fine tuned and executed perfectly by mid November and I could not be happier with the result.

Bee with crocus & snowdrops

 Bringing us back to present-day-me, sitting in my wintery cabin with a hot cup of coffee looking out at all the jobs I didn’t get done this year. Arguably, though, this is one of the best times of year to get out into the garden to get a hold of things as we’re back to the bare bones of things. You can see much more of the soil right now, how does it look? Are there any obvious weeds that can be taken out? Is your soil in need of some mulch? If you have your old pots of compost laying around from the summer’s tomatoes or bedding plants, you could do two jobs in one by using that as mulch.

If the ground is too cold, if you can’t think of anything worse than kneeling down or laying mulch then don’t do it. Pick the tasks you’re in the mood for. If the only task that suits you right now is looking out of your kitchen window and thinking about whether your garden needs some more evergreen structure then that sounds perfect. You know I’m not one for pressure, nothing is truly the end of the world if you don’t get it done, your garden will happily wait for you.

If you are feeling up to it, here are some ideas of tasks you could do over the next month or so when we get a sunny day:

Keep hellebores healthy

To ensure there’s plenty of air flow circulating around your hellebore, it can be a good idea to trim a few leaves around the bottom if it’s looking a little crowded. Hellebore leaf spot loves a crowded plant so keeping an eye out is a good idea.

Hellebore

 Provide water for wildlife

We haven’t had much in the way of frosts or properly cold weather yet, but it’s always a good idea to leave out some water for your local wildlife visitors. A shallow bowl weighted down so that it doesn’t tip over means that most of your visitors will be able to access it. Be sure to keep an eye out for when it is freezing outside to see if it needs fresh, unfrozen water.

Move small shrubs

Now is a good time to move small shrubs and roses, as long as the ground isn’t frozen or too wet. Dig them up with plenty of roots and pop them into a prepared hole, ensuring to firm it in with your heel. Water the plant well once in place, even if the ground is damp, as this will ensure the soil fills any gaps around the roots.

Prune and prepare wisteria

Pruning wisteria now will help prepare the plant for flowering later in the year. Trim any stems that have grown beyond the supports as well as any extra stems that are twining through the main framework.

Check on dahlias

If you’re overwintering your dahlias, give them a check over every now and then and be sure to throw away any mouldy ones to ensure that they don’t affect the healthy ones.

Order and plant fruit trees

I’m in the market for a new fruit tree for my allotment this year and am currently stuck in ‘analysis paralysis’ (which isn’t unusual for me by any means). I’m torn between a cherry, a fig, a medlar or an almond tree and simply cannot decide. Anyway, if you’ve managed to make a decision, now is a good time to get it planted.

Review your garden’s structure

Whilst the deciduous trees and shrubs have dropped their leaves, your whole garden can become a little lifeless if you don’t have enough structure, winter interest and evergreen plantings. Due to some changes in my garden, I’ve realised there is one area that is in need of an evergreen shrub/small tree as there’s a window overlooking my garden a little too much for my liking. I’ll be weighing the pros and cons of my options and getting something planted before the spring.

Prune Roses       

For any new or old roses, it’s a good time of year to have a look at them and decide if they need some taming. Step back and assess the situation before going in with secateurs; you’re looking for any stems that are crossing or rubbing against each other, anything that looks dead/diseased/damaged, and the aim is to create a lovely open shape. Leave some longer stems that create the desired shape but don’t be scared to cut back any that need it, your rose will thank you in the long run.

General Trimming

Depending on the specific plant, it can be best to wait a little while longer to do any trimming. Some plants can be a little delicate when a frost comes in, if they’ve just been trimmed and can be damaged in the process. Hydrangeas are a good example of this and it’s best to leave them as is for now. If you’re not sure what the plant is that you’re considering trimming, give it a pass for now and see when the spring comes to see if you can work out what it is and then research how to best care for it.