Top Tips for Winter Gardening

Winter is here, which means colder temperatures and temperamental weather conditions. While you might be tempted to put your garden maintenance on hold for when the temperatures warm up, there is still plenty of work to be done in the garden throughout the colder months. Below are some important tips to keep your garden healthy, tidy and thriving during Winter.

Prune your trees and bushes

Pruning is essential, especially in the colder winter months. By removing dead or diseased wood, pruning helps maintain the health and aesthetic appeal of your trees for longer. Furthermore, it reduces the risk of branches breaking off and causing damage during inclement weather such as rain, wind, and storms. For deciduous trees and bushes, consider pruning them in late winter or early spring, as this will help to encourage new growth in the upcoming Spring growth season. For more about winter pruning, check out Preparing for Winter Pruning.

Eliminate Weeds

Weeds are your garden's real enemy! One of the primary tasks for your winter garden is to eradicate weeds and tidy up your garden beds. Weeds can deprive your plants of essential nutrients and space, leading to their deterioration. The slower growth over winter is the perfect opportunity to eliminate all weeds, as well as withered plants, and excess branches from the Autumn season.

Select Seasonal Plants and Flowers

Don't let winter weather discourage you from planting! When preparing your garden for winter in New Zealand, one crucial tip is to choose the right plants. Some popular winter-friendly plant choices in New Zealand include Hebe, Camellia, Lavender, and Skimmia. Another great idea is to opt for native species that are well adapted to the local climate, ensuring their survival and thriving throughout the winter season. Winter also presents an excellent opportunity for planting fruit trees and deciduous ornamentals. Also, a variety of winter vegetables such as broccoli, garlic, kale, silver beet, snow peas, and spinach can be successfully planted

Add Mulch to your garden

Adding a layer of mulch to your garden beds is a great way to protect your plants from the cold and maintain soil moisture. Mulching is effective in helping to reduce weed growth and insulating the soil, promoting the overall health of your plants during the winter season. Mulch will reduce the requirement for watering later on and conserve warmth and moisture and limit weeds’ growth.
To enquire about adding Mulch to your garden, have a talk to our team..

Compost your garden

Adding compost to your garden will help to improve the soil quality and provide essential nutrients to your plants during winter. This will help to promote healthy plant growth and keep your plants looking their best, even during the colder months. This is also a great hands-on activity to get the kids involved. Check out our ideas for Composting with Kids.

Protect your Soil

In New Zealand, the winter months bring heavy rain and strong winds that can lead to soil erosion and soil compaction. To mitigate these issues, it is advisable to implement erosion control measures like retaining walls or terraced garden beds. This will help to keep your soil in place and prevent it from becoming compacted, ultimately promoting the health of your plants.

Monitor your garden for pests and diseases

It’s important to remain vigilant when monitoring pests and diseases in your garden during the winter months. If you notice any issues, be sure to act promptly to prevent further damage. Consider employing natural and organic approaches, such as companion planting and the use of insect-repelling plants, to effectively manage pests and diseases and keep them in check. If there are still issues then organic insecticides are available and are a standard consumable we have on hand during our team’s maintenance visits.

Plan your next season

Winter is an excellent time to take a step back and re-think any existing gardens or to plan new ones. It’s a great opportunity to start new landscaping projects such as building raised vegetable beds, edging paths and gardens, and redesigning your garden layout in preparation for spring planting.
Be mindful of the areas where you intend to establish future gardens, taking into consideration the presence of cold winds and excessive moisture. These factors will significantly impact what you can plant in that area.

If you’re considering giving your garden a winter tidy-up or would like to talk ideas over then get in contact with us. Our team can help make your garden look its best during the winter season. Book a free consultation with us today.