Tips For Preparing Your Garden For Winter In Newcastle

Here in Newcastle, the temperature is dropping and winter is upon us. If you’re like us here at Newcastle Handyman Can, you are welcoming the cooler temperatures - especially after such a hot and dry summer.

We’re especially excited to have the opportunity to rug up in the mornings and we’re all really enjoying working outside when it is not sweltering hot!

For your garden, however, the cooler temperatures mean it’s time for a little extra TLC to ensure your garden thrives through the frosty mornings and the increased rainfall.

To help you ensure your garden is ready for the winter we’ve taken the time to compile a list of helpful and easy tasks you can tackle in your garden this weekend to maintain your garden this winter and set it up for a flourishing spring.

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR GARDEN FOR WINTER IN NEWCASTLE

MULCH, MULCH AND THEN MULCH AGAIN

As the colder temperatures descend upon Newcastle and the surrounding areas, it might seem like your garden has decided to weather the winter by remaining mostly dormant. While there isn’t a lot of activity happening above the soil, beneath the surface, your plants are growing roots and drawing upon nutrients in the soil.

Because of this, it is important to take the time to top up the mulch. This will help keep the temperature below the surface even and balanced giving your plants’ roots the optimal growing environment.

PLANT AND TRANSPLANT

Spring is the season of growth and we often think it is the best season for planting or transplanting different plants in our garden. Autumn and winter are also very good planting seasons.

As autumn turns to winter, it is the perfect time to get your bulbs in the ground. Edible plants and bare rooted trees are also best planted at this time.

Pansies, violas and many other annuals thrive during the cooler months. These attractive flowers will add a splash of vibrant colour to your garden keeping it looking beautiful throughout the dreary winter.

When planting, or transplanting, blend in compost or soil improver into the planting hole. Ensure whichever product you have chosen is suitable for the plant you’ve chosen.

DON’T FORGET ABOUT PRUNING

It’s important to continue to prune your plants in the winter, though how much pruning you do will depend upon the plant.

Plants that reshoot quickly should not be pruned over the winter months. New growth tends to be more vulnerable to the cold and could be damaged by the cooler temperatures.

Plants that flower in the winter or spring should also be left to their own devices throughout the winter. Pruning these plants now could ruin their flowering display for the year.

Hedges, on the other hand, should be heavily pruned and clipped during the winter. When pruning your hedges, each tip that is cut off will result in the growth of two new side shoots which will result in improved density of your hedges.

It’s important to prune back and remove any damaged plant matter as well.

Once you have completed your pruning and clipping, be sure to remove and dispose of all clippings to ensure your lawn gets the maximum amount of sunlight possible throughout the winter.

BANISH WEEDS

Growth in your lawn and garden has slowed down now that winter is upon us, but that doesn’t mean you can become complacent about weeds.

Pay careful attention to the growth of bindi and wintergrass. When you spot weeds cropping up in your garden over the winter, remove them by hand.

DON’T FORGET ABOUT YOUR LAWN

The cooler temperatures also have an impact on your lawn, and there are a few things you can do to ensure your lawn weathers the winter nicely right along with you garden.

Aerating your lawn in preparation for the increased rainfall will allow the additional water to reach your grass’ roots giving it a headstart once spring arrives.

Once you have aerated your lawn, give it a good feeding with a slow release fertiliser rich in iron. Iron will strengthen your lawn and improve its colour.

Your can also apply a stimulant like Seasol to give your lawn the edge it needs to thrive once spring has sprung.

RAKE

With the reduced sunlight hours over the winter months, it is important to give your lawn every ounce of sunlight possible. This means raking up fallen leaves and other debris as often as possible.

Squarepegs Handyman Does LAWN AND GARDEN MAINTENANCE

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Contact us here to organise a free, in person estimate with Handyman Sean. No matter what the project, we are here to help.

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