GREEN FINGERS? BRITS’ MOST-SEARCHED WINTER GARDENING QUESTIONS REVEALED

The nights are drawing in, the paths are getting frosty, and the scarves are coming out – it’s looking like winter is here. For those of us who are green-fingered, it can be difficult to know exactly what we can and should do to our gardens in colder weather.

All over the country, however, gardening-mad Brits are dealing with the same wintry problems – which, with a little extra knowledge, can be easily avoided or dealt with. Using data from SEMRush, Answer the Public and also asked, the garden and outdoors specialists behind Hayter mowers have uncovered the nation’s most common winter gardening questions.

They’ve answered them too – so you can find out how to combat the most common gardening issues this winter.

Key Findings

· The UK’s most-searched gardening query is ‘when to plant’ their plants.

· Other common questions included ‘how can I make my garden look good in winter?’ and ‘how can you add colour to a garden in winter?’

· Knowing which vegetables to plant in winter is a common concern, with multiple variations of this question appearing on all sites.

Gardening – when to plant?

The most common question asked by UK gardeners – by far, in fact – is ‘when to plant?’ When is the best time to plant in your garden for winter? There is no specific time frame for this answer, with the quality of the soil and weather playing a much larger role than the time of year. As long as the ground is not completely covered in hard frost, then you can plant in winter. As always, you must check if what you are planting can survive or bloom in colder temperatures first.

Flowers-wise, you should be looking to plant your perennials in autumn or early winter – weather permitting. The ground is usually moist during these times and will give your perennials the best chance of flourishing.

For more information on when to plant certain plants, check the Royal Horticultural Society’s ‘My Garden’ app.

When to plant vegetables in winter

Winter vegetables are best planted in late autumn or early winter, giving them the best chance to survive. Most winter vegetables, such as winter cabbage, leeks and turnips, can be helped throughout the colder months by using a greenhouse or cold frame to nurture their growth.

If you have a greenhouse, start by scrubbing shade paint off the windows and giving them a thorough clean. Nights will be drawing in earlier by the day, meaning light intake must be maximised to help your plants thrive.

Top tip: If you haven’t got access to a greenhouse, be sure to protect your outdoor plants from the elements with frost sheets!

How can I make my garden look good in winter?

The answer to this question is open to interpretation, as personal taste will decide what you think best suits your garden.

If you want to add a splash of colour, consider using coloured pots and containers, window boxes, and colourful plants that are hardy enough to survive in low temperatures – such as cyclamen, violas and pansies.

If you are concerned with how quickly the nights draw in, use garden lights to illuminate your space and add structure to the layout of your garden. This will stop your hard work from getting lost in the darkness.

Planting evergreens is another great way to add structure to a garden. They are imposing and strong, a deep shade of green and thrive in cooler air temperatures.

How do I prepare my garden for winter?

Firstly, tidy up your borders. Clean borders are not only aesthetically pleasing, they also eliminate spaces for pests to hide. Perennials should be cut back to five centimetres above ground level, then compost should be added to your borders to give them nutrition.

If you have a pond in your garden, netting your pond to catch leaves is a great way of avoiding rot and preventing foul water. This step is often overlooked, so remember to save yourself a bigger headache in the future by getting your pond winter-ready.

In the depths of the winter months, you’re unlikely to be able to mow your lawn – but it’s vital to make sure that your mower stays in top condition so it’s ready to give your lawn a well-needed mow when the ground thaws back out.

Make sure to change your oil, sharpen your blades and book your mower in for a service over the winter period!

Finally, make sure you give your garden a once-over for weeds. Bring weeds out from the root before they go wild and spread between paving cracks and steps.

What are the best winter gardening gloves?

When looking for a great pair of winter gardening gloves, thermal work gloves with a light layer of insulation and waterproofing are recommended. These gloves will keep you warm but not completely limit your flexibility.

Leather gloves are also a good choice – the resistant material will protect you from minor abrasions and rough surfaces. They will also soften over time, making them more flexible. Again, look for a pair which are insulated to avoid hand numbing in the cold.

With the thick of winter fast approaching, now is the perfect time to start investing some time and effort into your garden. Whether you’re looking to swap out your plant selection, add a pop of colour or go for an entire reorganisation, now you know!

Find out more: https://www.hayter.co.uk

Credit Toro U.K. Limited with this link: https://www.hayter.co.uk/mowers/battery-mowers