Game on

A little preparation in the autumn months will help to make the transition into winter smoother and put your garden and tools on a better footing come the spring, says Stephanie Bateman

- Stephanie Bateman

It is never too early to start getting the garden ready for winter and the better your planning, the more likely you are to fast-track into next year’s growing season when spring arrives.

Lynsey Grinnell, head of marketing at Forest Garden, manufacturer of wooden garden products, advises gardeners to:

• Check all garden fences and ensure that they are secure and stable. The winter and early spring gales will quickly locate any panels that are loose.

• Check sheds or other buildings with felt roofs to ensure that the winter gales won’t get under the material and rip it off. Ensure that all windows close securely and that the glazing is in good condition.

• Decorative arches, gazebos and summer houses also need protecting against the ravages of the winter weather. If the garden gazebo is fitted with waterproof screens, ensure that they’re in good condition and tie them down securely.

• Lift all flowers and plants that have either ended their useful life or need protecting from the winter frosts.

• Harvest the final summer fruits and vegetables and compost the latter. November is an ideal time to prune fruit trees.

• Dig compost or manure into beds and borders in both flower and vegetable gardens and let the winter frosts break down the clods of earth.

• Clean and store garden furniture, ensuring that it is protected from the elements.

• Clear out dead and unwanted plants from containers and either move them into storage or protect them from the worst of the weather.

• Keep the log store filled with dry logs and clean out the boot store in readiness for the mud.