Our outdoor space has become more important than ever to us during 2020.

Many of us have caught the gardening bug and discovered a love of planting, designing and growing our own fruit and veg, with more time spent at home during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Now, with winter fast approaching, it’s time to pull on our wellies and tackle those important jobs to make sure our gardens are in the best possible shape for spring.

• Tidy your borders. Rotting and finished plants can retain pests, diseases and funguses, and they also make your garden look untidy.
• Weed-out those weeds! Weeds can often thrive during the winter. Most can be removed without the need for chemicals – be sure to take up the roots!
• Spruce up your soil for spring. Early winter is the perfect time to prepare your soil. Dig the soil over and spread some well-rotted manure, compost or leaf mould, mixing with the soil to give it the best chance of being spring-ready.
• Plant cover crops. Cover crops are plants which protect and improve the ground for crops in the future. Covering soil during winter also gives weeds less chance to grow ahead of spring planting.
• Prune perennials. Once they’ve finished flowering, pruning allows perennials to look tidy and improves flowering for next time.
• Divide and plant bulbs. As plants mature, bulbs often divide and spread on their own, and crowded bulbs are likely to flower less. If this happens, dig up the bulbs and divide them to encourage continued growth and flowering.
• Plant evergreen shrubs. Warm soil and cooler temperatures make autumn a good time to plant some hardy evergreens for some much-needed winter interest. Do it before the frost sets in.
• Replenish mulch. Mulch helps to repel weeds, regulate soil temperatures and retain moisture. Some breaks down within the year, but some can last up to five years, depending on weather conditions. Replace or replenish if required.
• Prep bulbs and layout for spring plants. While most spring and summer-flowering bulbs should have been planted by now, Tulips can be planted in November and you can position bulbs to bring bursts of colour to your garden.
• Lift tender plants and store for winter. Tender plants need protecting from frost and can be cut back, lifted and stored in a semi-dormant state, or protected with mulch, during the colder months.
• Mow your lawn one last time with the cutting height set high. November will more than likely be the last regular cut of the year. Try to avoid walking on your lawn too much during winter to ensure it’s perfect for spring.

 And finally, give your tools some TLC. Before locking up your shed for winter, clean and sharpen your tools so they’re in top working order for spring.

Sam Theakstone, our Interior and Landscape Designer, said: “Your garden is an extension of your home and should be treated as another room, designing and tailoring every inch to suit your taste.

“It can be just as beautiful during the colder months, with a good range of evergreens you can enjoy the preparation work and planning for spring and look forward to what’s to come!”

We offer buyers a unique service to landscape their garden with our design expert Sam helping to make the most of their outside space.

We’re here to help our customers create their dream home, inside and outdoors!