Preparing your garden for winter – pruning, mulching and frost protection

As the days get shorter and the nights colder, it’s time to get your garden ready for winter. Good preparation helps your plants, shrubs and trees stay healthy through the cold months so they can burst into life again in spring. With just a few simple steps you can give your garden the best start for the new season.

Pruning: give plants a fresh start

Autumn is an excellent moment to prune certain shrubs and trees:

• Remove dead or diseased branches: this prevents fungi and diseases.
• Deciduous shrubs: after leaf fall you can apply shaping cuts.
• Fruit trees: lightly prune apple and pear trees for a better harvest next year.
• Don’t prune everything: leave ornamental grasses, hydrangeas and perennials with seed heads – they protect the roots and keep the garden decorative in winter.

Mulching: natural protection

Mulching means covering the soil with organic material such as leaves, bark or compost:

• Protects roots: mulch acts as an insulating layer against the cold.
• Prevents drying out: the soil stays moist and aerated.
• Feeds the soil: organic material breaks down slowly and improves soil structure.

Tip: use fallen autumn leaves as a free mulch layer – sustainable and effective!

Frost protection

Not all plants are hardy. With a little extra care you can help them survive the winter:

• Container plants: move them indoors or into a sheltered greenhouse.
• Frost-sensitive plants: wrap the root ball or trunk with fleece, jute or straw.
• Olive trees and palms: protect roots with mulch and wrap trunks with bubble wrap or special winter covers.
• Watering: don’t forget that evergreens can still get thirsty in winter, especially during dry frost.

Extra tips for a healthy winter garden

• Clear fallen leaves selectively: remove them from the lawn but leave them in borders as natural protection.
• Provide bird food: help birds through the winter and enjoy more life in your garden.
• Check pots and containers: make sure no water remains inside to prevent root rot and cracks from frost.

Conclusion

By pruning, mulching and protecting against frost, you ensure your garden enters winter strong and healthy. This not only creates structure and order during the cold months, but also lays the foundation for a flourishing, lively garden in spring.