As the days shorten and temperatures drop, your garden begins to slow down — but your work isn’t quite done yet. Preparing your garden for winter helps protect plants, soil, and wildlife, setting you up for a thriving spring. Whether you’re managing flower beds, veg patches or pots on the patio, here’s how to get your garden winter-ready.
Tidy Up Without Stripping Back
It’s tempting to clear everything away at the end of autumn, but leaving a little natural cover can actually help wildlife and protect soil. Remove diseased or rotting plants, but allow some seed heads and hollow stems to remain — they provide food and shelter for birds and insects.
Cut back perennials that have finished flowering, but leave hardy varieties like grasses and sedums for structure and frost interest. Gather fallen leaves and add them to the compost heap or use them as mulch around shrubs.
Zoar’s Tip:
Stock up on garden bags, rakes and gloves to make end-of-season clean-ups easier and tidier.
Protecting Plants from Frost
Frost is one of the biggest challenges for UK gardens in winter. Move tender plants such as geraniums, begonias, and fuchsias indoors or into a greenhouse before the first frost. Wrap delicate shrubs and pots with horticultural fleece or bubble wrap to protect roots from freezing.
Raised beds and planters lose heat quickly, so insulate them with straw or leaves, and move smaller containers closer to the house for added shelter. For larger areas, consider using a cold frame to protect young or sensitive plants.
Zoar’s Tip:
Browse Zoar’s fleece, covers and planters to help shield your garden from frost damage.
Feed and Prepare the Soil
Winter is the perfect time to give your soil a rest — and a boost. Once beds are cleared, spread a thick layer of organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure. This acts as a protective blanket against erosion while feeding soil microbes over winter.
If you’re leaving beds bare, consider sowing a green manure crop such as winter rye or clover. It helps suppress weeds and adds nutrients when dug in come spring.
Zoar’s Tip:
Zoar’s garden tools, compost bins and fertilisers are ideal for enriching soil and keeping garden waste organised.
Caring for the Lawn
Lawns can suffer during winter from heavy rain, frost, and foot traffic. Give your grass one last cut in early November, keeping it slightly longer than usual to protect the roots. Rake away leaves to prevent damp patches and moss. If the lawn is compacted, use a garden fork to aerate it, improving drainage.
Avoid walking on frozen or waterlogged grass to prevent damage, and repair bare patches when milder weather returns.
Zoar’s Tip:
Keep your lawn tidy with rakes, garden forks and lawn feed designed for cool-weather care.
Cleaning and Storing Tools
Winter is the ideal time to clean and maintain your tools so they’re ready for next spring. Wash off soil, dry everything thoroughly, and lightly oil metal parts to prevent rust. Sharpen blades on secateurs and shears, and repair or replace any damaged handles. Store tools in a dry shed or garage, off the ground where possible.
The same goes for watering cans and hoses — drain them to avoid frost damage, and disconnect outdoor taps or wrap them with insulation to prevent freezing.
Zoar’s Tip:
Explore Zoar’s garden tools and maintenance range to keep everything in top condition through winter.
Wildlife-Friendly Gardening in Winter
A tidy garden doesn’t have to be empty of life. Winter is a tough season for birds and wildlife, so small actions make a big difference. Hang bird feeders filled with high-energy food like suet balls or seed mixes, and top them up regularly. Keep bird baths ice-free using warm water or a floating ball to prevent freezing.
If you have hedgehogs nearby, leave small gaps in fences and avoid disturbing leaf piles where they may be hibernating.
Zoar’s Tip:
Zoar stocks bird feeders, seed mixes and suet treats to help garden wildlife thrive all winter long.
Check Fences, Paths and Furniture
Strong winds and heavy rain can cause damage to garden structures. Check fences, trellises and gates for loose panels or rot, and make any repairs before storms set in. Clean patios and decking to remove algae and prevent slipping in wet conditions.
Outdoor furniture should be stored away or covered to extend its life, and terracotta pots can be moved indoors or raised on pot feet to stop them cracking in frost.
Zoar’s Tip:
Pick up covers, brushes and cleaning tools to help protect outdoor spaces through the wetter months.
Plan Ahead for Spring
Winter is a great time to think ahead. Use quiet weekends to browse seed catalogues, plan your planting layout, and prepare your tools and compost ready for early sowing. If you grow vegetables, clean and label your seed trays and check your greenhouse for repairs before the next growing season begins.
Zoar’s Tip:
Check Zoar’s garden planning and seed-starting essentials to get ahead before spring arrives.
Final Thoughts
Preparing your garden for winter isn’t just about protection — it’s about giving nature a helping hand. By insulating plants, maintaining tools and supporting wildlife, you’re building the foundation for a strong and healthy garden next year. A little care now will reward you with lush growth and vibrant blooms once spring returns.
