Putting The Garden To Bed For Winter

In the UK, although our seasons have shifted slightly, there is still a clear time of year to ‘put your garden to bed’. This garden preparation process helps protect your turf, plants, and soil from the incoming cold weather. More importantly, it makes maintenance easier and improves turf performance come spring!

In this article, we guide you through the meaning of ‘putting your garden to bed’, what tasks are involved in the process, and when to start preparing your garden for winter.

Article Overview

• • What does ‘putting your garden to bed’ mean?
  • Why is winter garden prep important?
  • How to put your garden to bed
  • Speak to the experts
  • FAQs

What Does ‘Putting Your Garden To Bed’ Mean?

Like you would tuck your kids into bed for a good night’s sleep, that’s precisely what we’re doing with our gardens. The term ‘put your garden to bed’ refers to end-of-year gardening tasks, including repairing summer damage, tidying up, and helping the garden remain healthy through an unpredictable winter. This can include a final mow of your lawn, fertilising, applying mulch to flowerbeds, and storing garden furniture.

Why Winter Garden Prep is Important

Winter often brings with it heavy rainfall, snow, frost, and drying winds. When combined with sodden soil and heavy footfall, winter can take its toll on your garden. By preparing it for winter and putting it to bed, you help:

• • Protect your lawn from frost damage
  • Improve drainage and mitigate waterlogging
  • Reduce weed and moss invasion
  • Prevent lawn fungus or disease
  • Improve your spring garden’s growth, health and appearance
  • Save you time and money on maintenance next year!

How to Put Your Garden to Bed

Here is our eight-step guide to successfully putting your garden to bed:

1. Prepare for Your Final Mow

On a dry, mild day, give your lawn a final cut of the season. Set your mower height to 40-60 mm so the grass leaves remain tall for winter. This will protect your grass from any frost damage and help retain moisture.

2. Trim Lawn Edges

Even if you’re not using your lawn through winter, it can still look presentable! Using an edging trimmer, work along the lawn edge to cut uneven patches. It’s a quick, efficient way to give your lawn a professional finish.

3. Aerate Your Lawn

Check the condition of your lawn. If it’s had a lot of use during summer and autumn, there’s a good chance the soil is compacted. This will make it difficult for water to drain effectively during winter. Using a garden fork, work your way around the lawn and spike holes into compacted areas. This ensures essential water and oxygen reach the roots through winter.

4. Apply a Winter Fertiliser

If you’ve noticed patches of thinning or discoloured grass across your lawn, these may be signs your turf is stressed. An easy solution is to apply a winter fertiliser to restore the nutrients your grass needs. After the final mow, apply a layer of fertiliser and lightly water it so it absorbs into the soil. This helps it survive over the winter and be ready for spring growth.

5. Clear Leaves, Weeds & Debris

An easy way to maintain a tidy winter garden is to clear fallen leaves and debris. Removing leaves from your lawn will allow more sunlight to reach your turf, and sweeping them from paths and patios will reduce the risk of slippery surfaces. This is a great opportunity to remove weeds, too, and apply weed killer to suppress their return in the spring.

6. Protect Your Turf & Plants

Soil and plant roots are vulnerable to freezing temperatures, which can impair their ability to survive the winter and recover in the spring. How can you help? By adding an insulating layer. Applying bark mulch or compost to your flowerbeds can protect them from the elements and stop weeds from coming through as the temperatures warm. You could also apply a thin layer of high-quality lawn dressing to your turf.

Helpful guides:

• • Can I Put Topsoil Down in Winter?
  • Bark Mulch: What Is It?
  • What is the Difference Between Topsoil & Compost?

7. Let In The Sunshine

Your lawn and garden need to absorb as much sunlight as possible during the winter season. A quick solution is to trim any evergreen hedges or bushes blocking any sunlight. This can also help improve water evaporation and prevent lawns from waterlogging. If your lawn is in a shady area, consider switching to shade-tolerant turf, which is designed to withstand these conditions.

8. General Garden Maintenance

The final step in putting your garden to bed is a general tidy-up. Wipe down and store any furniture you won’t be using, and clean your gardening tools so they are ready for next year. Give your patios, decks, and pathways a sweep and install solar or outdoor lighting so you can still enjoy your garden, even in minimal light!

Speak to the Experts

From laying turf in winter and choosing the right type of turf to general turf maintenance and preparing your garden for winter, we’re here to help! Get in touch with our friendly customer service team, and let’s make sure your turf and garden are all tucked up for winter.

Winter Garden Care Guides

• • What Temperature is Tool Cold to Fertilise Lawns?
  • Buying and Laying Turf in Winter
  • Artificial Lawn Care Tips for Winter

FAQs about Winter Garden Care

When is the Best Time to Put Your Garden to Bed?

We recommend starting your winter garden preparation in late autumn. Wait for the temperature to drop, the leaves to fall, and for grass and plant growth to slow.

Can I still use my garden in winter?

Absolutely! By tidying your garden before the winter weather kicks in, you can still make the most of your outdoor space. If we experience heavy rainfall or snowfall, we recommend staying off the grass to prevent lawn compaction and indentation.

Should I mow my lawn in winter?

We always recommend one final mow before winter kicks in. Mow your lawn before the temperatures drop below 6 degrees, and keep the grass height around 50-60 mm to help protect your turf from frost damage. Once your grass stops growing, stop mowing!

Do I need to cover my lawn to protect it in winter?

Typically, UK lawns don’t need any additional covering to get through winter. However, if you notice your lawn is struggling, you could apply a layer of winter fertiliser and lawn dressing to give it a boost of the vital nutrients it needs.

I’ve just laid my turf, will winter kill it off?

As long as you prepare the ground correctly and lay your turf properly, there’s no reason why your new lawn shouldn’t survive winter. Although young lawns are vulnerable to snow, frost, and cold temperatures, as long as water drains effectively, they should be fine. Monitor your lawn and avoid using it so it can settle over winter.

Should I remove snow from my lawn?

You do not need to remove snow from your lawn; it should naturally melt into the soil without damaging your turf. For more information on this topic, read our article on removing snow from your lawn.