x
Winter Protection
As winter gets closer, it's time to think about how to care for your garden during the colder months. We share advice on how to protect your plants and garden during winter.

Helpful information

Timing: Late autumn to early winter (ideally before the first frost)

Where to do it: Outdoors

Garden space: Large garden, small garden, allotment, balcony, greenhouse

  • There is a good bit of physical movement to be had from the range of activities
  • The chance to nurture and support other living things. Careful preparation for winter can also give wildlife a helping hand
  • A good reason to spend time outside in the garden - particularly welcome as there are less other gardening activities to do at this time of year
Mushroom autumn
Mushrooms outside

As autumn takes hold, there are miraculous changes occurring in the garden. On some plants, leaves change colour and eventually drop. On others, seed heads dry out and go brown.

Many of these processes are a plants natural way of preparing for the cold and wet months of winter. It is their version of hibernation, helping them survive through to spring.

Although plants do a lot to help themselves, we can do our bit to help protect them through winter. This is especially important for plants that don't cope with cold weather.

We can also do a number of things to protect the non-plant elements in our garden, including structures and greenhouses.

Make it easier

There is no rush to do all these activities at once. Take your time and pace yourself.

Overwintering crops in a polytunnel
Crops in a polytunnel

When we talk about overwintering plants, it usually means helping them survive the winter (looking after them 'over winter').

You sometimes hear people talk about overwintering vegetables too. In this case, they are talking about the particular varieties of vegetable that will happily grow in the ground during winter - like autumn planted garlic, or spring cabbage.

Either way, think about what is in your garden and whether it needs some protection for the winter months.

Our guide to overwintering plants has advice, from lifting dahlias to mulching veg.

Celery plant with mulch
Small plant with mulch

Any areas of bare soil, exposed to the elements, are at risk of damage over winter.

If you have an allotment, a common form of protection is to cover the soil with weed membrane or an old bit of carpet.

For any vegetable gardens and beds, a more natural way of protecting the soil is to use green manure or add a thick layer of mulch. Both protect the soil structure and provide additional nutrients.

All of these options can help you get a good start to growing in the spring.

Make it easier

Transporting mulch can be physical work. A two-handled wheelbarrow is helpful to reduce strain. Check there is enough air in the tyres - this will make it much easier to push!

You could use a large plastic container to spread mulch if you find a spade or trowel heavy to use.

Flower pot on a trellis vertical garden
Flowerpots on a trellis

Some structures in our gardens may be vulnerable to very windy weather. This is a good time to check:

  • Trellis
  • Obelisks
  • Fencing
  • Other plant support frames

Check they are well secured. See if any securings could use replacing, or if additional securings need to be added. A damaged or weakened fence can be hard to protect. Any loose fence posts can be secured a little more with bricks around the base.

Greenhouse growing tomatoes greenhouses direct
Plants growing in a greenhouse. Image credit: Rhino Greenhouses Direct*

If you have a greenhouse, you may be able to keep growing through the winter months.

Whether you do keep growing or not, it's a good idea to protect your greenhouse ahead of winter.

Keeping a greenhouse frost free can be a challenge. You could install heaters, or a lower cost method is to insulate your greenhouse with special greenhouse bubblewrap. Cut it to size and attach all around the sides and ceiling.

* Image source: Rhino Greenhouses Direct

Make it easier

Attaching insulation all around a greenhouse can require quite a lot of reaching and strain. This may be a very good activity to get some extra help with.

Sign up to receive gardening inspiration and tips to get the most out of your own gardening space, and improve your health and wellbeing at the same time

Thrive's new app is live!

Cultivating Wellbeing is the first gardening for health and wellbeing app. Create your personalised plan, find expert tips and garden your way to better health.

Download Now