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The winter months can be tough on lawns, with frost, heavy rain, and moss growth threatening their health and appearance. Yet winter also presents an opportunity to strengthen and protect your lawn, setting it up to thrive during spring. With a proactive approach to lawn maintenance in winter and help from professionals, you can mitigate the season’s challenges and preserve the vitality of your grass.

This guide from the experts at BZ Gardens will walk you through top tips to care for your lawn during the cold months, from removing debris and aerating to using winter-specific lawn feed. By following these strategies, you can keep your grass healthy and resilient, even when the weather takes a turn for the worse.

Understanding Winter Lawn Challenges

How Frost Affects Your Lawn

Without preventative lawn maintenance in winter, frost can cause significant damage. While grass is flexible and resistant to wear and tear in warm temperatures, freezing weather causes the moisture inside of grass blades to freeze, making them brittle and prone to breaking if walked on. 

In addition to causing visible damage, breakages also weaken the grass, leaving it more susceptible to disease or fungal infections.

In the late stages of autumn, you can prepare your lawn for winter by applying a seasonal lawn fertiliser. Then, when planning your last mow of the season (usually around November, before the first frosts set in), make sure that your mower blades are sharp and leave the grass a little longer than usual. 

Even light pressure can crush your fragile grass blades during frosty conditions. To prevent this, it’s important to limit foot traffic on your lawn as much as possible and avoid mowing entirely. Letting frost melt naturally is the best course of action to avoid long-term damage.

The Problem with Waterlogged Lawns

Excessive rainfall is a common issue during the winter months here in the UK, often leading to waterlogged lawns. When your lawn becomes overly saturated with water, it can feel sticky and squelchy to walk on, or develop puddles of standing water.

This can suffocate your grass roots, creating bare patches of dead grass that allow weeds, moss, and algae to thrive. Poor drainage compounds the problem, leaving your lawn vulnerable to further damage.

Waterlogging is typically caused by poor soil preparation, compacted soil, or natural drainage issues caused by the likes of heavy clay soil. However, targeted winter lawn maintenance activities such as aeration and installing drainage systems can prevent waterlogging and significantly enhance your lawn’s health during the wetter months.

Essential Tips for Effective Winter Lawn Maintenance 

Stay Off the Lawn When Possible

Walking on a frozen or waterlogged lawn can restrict air and water movement to the grass’ roots, weakening them and making it more difficult for the lawn to recover in spring.

To minimise foot traffic damage, try to avoid walking on the lawn during frosty or very wet conditions. If you need to cross the lawn frequently, consider creating temporary pathways using stepping stones or wooden boards. 

These small adjustments can make a significant difference in your winter lawn maintenance efforts.

Remove Debris and Prune Overhanging Branches Regularly

Winter weather brings fallen leaves, branches, and other debris that can accumulate on your lawn. If left unchecked, this debris not only chokes out healthy grass by blocking its sunlight, but also traps moisture, which encourages weeds, fungal diseases, and pests. 

To promote better air circulation and keep your lawn looking neat and healthy, make it a priority to remove debris regularly as part of your lawn maintenance in winter. Simply use a light rake or leaf blower to clear the surface without causing damage to the grass. 

Overhanging branches from trees and shrubs can cast shade over your lawn, exacerbating damp conditions. Pruning during the winter months allows more sunlight to reach the grass, improving its health and appearance.

Aerate for Improved Drainage

Aerating your soil as part of your winter lawn maintenance is one of the most effective ways to prevent waterlogging and promote healthy growth. Aeration involves perforating the soil with small holes to reduce compaction, allow better drainage, and improve air circulation around the roots of your grass.

The ideal tool for this depends on the size of your lawn; for smaller spaces, a standard garden fork should suffice, while a lawn aerator tool is preferable for larger grassed areas. 

It is important to note that you cannot aerate a lawn that is already waterlogged. Instead, aim to aerate once before the start of winter and again if particularly wet spells are predicted. This not only helps the lawn survive wet winter conditions but also prepares it for stronger growth in spring.

Combat Moss and Algae Growth

Moss and algae thrive in the damp, shaded conditions that are common during winter. If left untreated, these can spread rapidly, choking out healthy grass and creating unsightly patches on your lawn. Addressing moss and algae early is therefore a crucial part of lawn maintenance in winter. 

If your lawn is prone to standing water, installing a drainage system may be useful to redirect water flow. Aeration and regular debris clearing will also help reduce the moisture that moss and algae rely on.

For stubborn growth, apply an organic moss control product that is safe for use during winter. Be sure to rake out dead moss after treatment to allow the grass underneath to recover.

Use Winter Lawn Feed

Feeding your lawn during winter is critical to its health, but it’s essential to use a winter-specific feed. Doing so as part of your winter lawn maintenance routine will give your grass the best chance to thrive in spring.

Unlike standard fertilisers, which encourage rapid growth of grass blades, winter lawn feeds are designed to strengthen grass roots and promote hardiness. They typically contain higher levels of potassium, which helps grass withstand cold temperatures and resist disease.

Applying the feed in late autumn or early winter ensures your lawn has the nutrients it needs to survive the cold weather. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid overfeeding, which can lead to thatch build-up.

The Benefits of Professional Lawn Maintenance Services

Expertise and Efficiency

Maintaining a lawn during winter can be time-consuming and requires specific knowledge to address seasonal challenges effectively. With a team of winter lawn maintenance professionals, BZ Gardens brings the expertise and tools needed to keep your lawn in top condition. 

From aeration and moss control to installing drainage that prevents waterlogging, we tailor our winter lawn care services to meet your garden’s unique needs. Using specialised equipment when necessary, we complete all lawn care tasks efficiently and to the highest standard, giving you peace of mind that your garden is in expert hands.

Long-Term Health for Your Lawn

Investing in professional care during winter provides long-term benefits for your lawn. By addressing issues such as waterlogging and soil compaction early, you reduce the risk of long-term damage and ensure your lawn is ready to flourish in spring.

At BZ Gardens, we create a personalised plan for your lawn maintenance in winter, focusing on your garden’s specific challenges and requirements. This level of care not only protects your lawn but also enhances its overall health and resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lawn Maintenance in Winter

Q: How often should I mow my lawn in winter?

A: Mowing should be infrequent during winter (as grass growth naturally slows down) and only on dry days when the grass is not frozen or waterlogged. Keep the mower set to a higher cutting height to avoid stressing the grass. Instead of regular mowing, other winter lawn maintenance activities such as aerating and debris clearing are vital.

Q: When is the best time to aerate my lawn?

A: Aeration is best carried out in autumn, early winter or before heavy rainfall, as this helps alleviate compaction and improve drainage. If your lawn is prone to waterlogging, consider aerating more frequently or installing a drainage system.

Q: Can I apply fertiliser to my lawn in winter?

A: Yes, but it’s crucial to use a winter-specific feed that strengthens roots without promoting excessive growth. Standard fertilisers can cause rapid grass blade growth, which is not ideal during colder months. A winter lawn feed is designed to be used for lawn maintenance in winter, so it provides the nutrients your lawn needs to endure the season.

Protect Your Lawn This Winter

Winter poses unique challenges for lawn care, from frost damage and waterlogging to moss and algae growth. However, with a proactive approach to winter lawn maintenance and the right strategies, you can protect and strengthen your lawn during the colder months.

At BZ Gardens, we understand that every lawn is different and requires tailored care to withstand the season’s challenges. Whether it’s aerating to improve drainage, applying winter-specific feed, or combating moss and algae, our expert team is here to help.

Investing in professional lawn maintenance in winter not only preserves the health of your grass but also saves you time and effort. Let us handle the hard work, so you can enjoy a lush, resilient lawn come spring. To find out more about our services and how we can keep your lawn in peak condition throughout the colder months, contact BZ Gardens today.

Winter can be a testing time for any garden in the UK. Frost, heavy rainfall, and freezing winds can leave your outdoor spaces looking neglected and unkempt. Without proper care, plants can suffer damage, soil can compact, and hardscape features may deteriorate. That’s why winter garden maintenance is vital - not only to protect your outdoor spaces but also to prepare them for a flourishing spring.

The right maintenance techniques can protect your garden from harsh weather, improve its resilience, and keep it looking its best throughout the season. Whether it’s pruning, mulching, or repairing hardscape elements, winter is the perfect time to give your garden the attention it needs - or enlist the help of professionals like BZ Gardens who can do so for you.

Winter Garden Maintenance: Key Challenges and Solutions

Common Winter Threats to Your Garden

Winter brings a host of challenges to UK gardens. Frost and snow can damage plants and lawns, while prolonged rainfall can lead to soil erosion and waterlogging. Without proactive care, these threats can leave your garden in poor condition.

Herbaceous plants, which are particularly popular in the UK for the beautiful colour they add to gardens from spring to autumn, are especially vulnerable to freezing temperatures. If they are not properly insulated, low temperatures can kill their roots. 

Soil compaction is another significant issue during winter. The combination of heavy rain and frost can compress your soil, resulting in poor soil structure that makes it difficult for plants to access essential nutrients through their roots. This often leads to weaker plant growth and increased susceptibility to disease. 

Additionally, limited sunlight, compacted soil, and heavy rain can create the perfect conditions for moss growth, which not only looks unattractive but also weakens your lawn grass.

Considering these risks early and preventing them with a comprehensive winter garden maintenance plan is essential. 

Solutions for Protecting Your Outdoor Spaces

Winter mulching is a practical way to protect plants and soil during the colder months. Adding a layer of mulch on top of your soil insulates the ground, stabilising its temperature and maintaining consistent moisture levels. This simple but effective method also prevents frost damage to the roots of more delicate plants.

Using compost beneath the mulch is a sustainable way to enrich the soil, promote biodiversity, and reduce reliance on chemical fertilisers. By incorporating sustainable methods like these into your garden routine, you can benefit both the long-term health of your plants and the environment.

Pruning is another important aspect of winter garden maintenance. Trees and shrubs benefit immensely from well-timed pruning, especially during their dormant winter phase. Cutting away dead or damaged branches minimises the risk of breakage during storms, and promotes healthier growth in spring. Plants like roses benefit from winter pruning too, ideally in January or February, before their leaves start to emerge.

While often associated with autumn or spring, soil aeration can be beneficial during winter under certain conditions. Aerating improves drainage, preventing waterlogging, and ensures roots have access to oxygen. It also combats compaction, giving plants the best possible conditions to survive the season.

Essential Winter Maintenance Services for UK Gardens

Professional Lawn Care in Winter

Lawns are often overlooked during the colder months, but winter is a crucial time to care for them. Tasks such as aeration, dethatching, and moss control are essential to maintain a healthy lawn. 

Using a winter-specific lawn feed strengthens the grass's roots, preparing it for vigorous growth in spring. These feeds are specially designed to provide the nutrients grass needs during cold weather without encouraging excessive growth, which can be harmful in winter conditions.

Hiring professionals for your winter garden maintenance guarantees that lawn care tasks will be performed effectively, using the right tools and techniques to protect your lawn from long-term damage.

Tree and Shrub Pruning for Winter Resilience

Pruning trees and shrubs during winter is essential for their health and resilience. By removing weak or damaged branches, you reduce the likelihood of damage caused by heavy snow or strong winds. 

Winter is the ideal time to shape trees and shrubs according to Gardeners’ World, as their dormant state allows for cleaner cuts that heal more quickly, and bare branches allow you to see what you are doing more clearly too!

Proper pruning encourages better flowering and growth in the spring, making it a vital component of any winter garden maintenance plan. Experts in winter maintenance can assess your garden’s specific needs and apply the most effective pruning techniques to achieve the best results.

Hardscape Maintenance and Repairs

Hardscaping features such as patios, decking, and pathways can suffer significant damage during the winter months. Freezing temperatures can cause cracks in stone or concrete, while damp conditions promote moss and algae growth, potentially making surfaces slippery and unsafe.

Routine cleaning and maintenance are essential to preserve the appearance and functionality of hardscape elements. If cracks or other damage are detected, addressing these issues promptly prevents them from worsening. For added protection, applying sealants and anti-slip treatments can help hardscapes withstand winter weather.

Including hardscape care in your winter garden maintenance routine not only keeps your garden looking pristine but also ensures it remains safe and usable throughout the season.

Why Invest in Professional Winter Garden Maintenance Services?

Time and Expertise 

Taking care of a garden in winter can be time-consuming and challenging, particularly for large estates, properties with expansive grounds, or those with complex planting schemes. 

With professional winter garden maintenance services, every aspect of your outdoor space receives the care it needs - without the time and effort required on your part! 

Experts can use advanced tools and techniques to handle essential winter tasks such as pruning, soil treatment, and lawn care with precision and efficiency.

For larger gardens, estate management services provide a comprehensive solution. Covering everything from irrigation system checks to extensive pruning, these services keep your grounds expertly maintained, giving you a beautifully preserved landscape throughout the season and peace of mind that your outdoor space is in good hands.

The Long-Term Benefits of Winter Maintenance

Proactive winter garden maintenance delivers long-lasting benefits. By addressing potential issues such as root rot, frost damage, and hardscape deterioration, you avoid costly repairs and keep your garden in excellent condition year-round.

Regular upkeep also enhances the value and appeal of your property. In fact, studies suggest that a well-maintained garden can increase your home’s value by up to 20%. Maintaining a high standard of care during winter will result in a beautiful, flourishing garden in spring or summer, which is sure to attract potential buyers if you put your house on the market. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q: What does winter garden maintenance include?

A: Winter garden maintenance typically involves a range of tasks designed to protect plants, soil, and hardscape features from harsh weather. These tasks include pruning, mulching, lawn aeration, moss control, and debris clearing. Depending on the size and complexity of the garden, additional services such as irrigation system checks and plant covering may also be included.

Q: Can I maintain my garden myself in winter?

A: While some aspects of garden maintenance, such as mulching or clearing fallen leaves, can be performed by homeowners in the winter months, professional services are often recommended for larger estates or more complex gardens. Professionals have the tools and expertise to perform tasks like aeration, pruning, and hardscape repairs to a high standard, ensuring the best results.

Q: When should winter garden maintenance begin?

A: It’s best to start preparing for winter in late autumn, before the coldest months set in. Tasks such as mulching, pruning, and applying lawn feed should be completed early, while regular checks throughout winter help to identify and address issues like waterlogging or frost damage.

Ready to Protect Your Garden This Winter?

Winter garden maintenance is vital to preserve the beauty, functionality, and health of your outdoor spaces. Essential tasks like pruning, aerating soil, and maintaining hardscape elements protect your garden from harsh weather conditions and lay the foundation for vibrant growth in the spring.

At BZ Gardens, we offer a comprehensive range of garden maintenance services designed to meet the unique needs of your property during the colder months. With tailored solutions and expert advice, we’re here to help you protect and enhance your outdoor spaces.

Contact us now to find out more or schedule a consultation and make sure your garden receives the care it needs this winter.

As the days shorten and temperatures drop, it’s easy to assume that your garden needs less attention. However, winter garden maintenance is actually crucial for those who want their garden to bounce back vigorously in spring. 

Proper winter care helps to safeguard your plants, prepare the soil, and support local wildlife, ensuring that your outdoor space remains healthy and visually appealing all year round. 

If you are unsure exactly how to keep your garden in top shape through the winter, the experts at BZ Gardens are happy to help! This comprehensive guide will explain essential winter garden maintenance tasks, pruning tips, and even wildlife care. 

For those who would prefer to outsource these tasks, we also offer bespoke winter maintenance services for private homeowners, estates, and businesses.

Essential Tasks for Winter Garden Maintenance

UK winters bring unique challenges to gardens, from low temperatures and frost to heavy rains and even snow. Maintaining your garden in these conditions requires extra care and some targeted strategies to protect your plants and landscaping. 

By carrying out the following essential winter garden maintenance tasks, you can mitigate seasonal damage and set the stage for a flourishing garden.

Protecting Delicate Plants from Frost

Frost can be one of the most damaging winter elements, particularly for tender perennials and newly planted specimens. According to the RHS, hard frost in winter can even damage hardy evergreens, causing scorching and pale brown patches to appear between the leaf veins on exposed areas of the plant.

One way to protect your plants is by using horticultural fleece or garden cloches to insulate them from extreme cold, especially on nights when frost is forecasted. 

Mulching around plant bases with organic materials such as compost or bark chips also helps retain heat, shielding roots and soil from temperature fluctuations and harsh winds. For plants that are more susceptible to the cold, consider applying a 5 - 10 cm layer of mulch, but make sure not to smother or damage any lower stems. 

This has the added benefit of improving soil health as it breaks down naturally over winter, making mulching a valuable addition to any winter garden maintenance plan. 

Preparing Your Garden Beds and Borders for Spring

Winter is the perfect time to prepare garden beds and borders, setting the groundwork for a vibrant display in the spring. 

Digging over a new border or bed during your winter garden maintenance allows frost and rain to help break down any hard lumps of soil, while the cold weather and natural predators can eliminate pests. 

Winter mulching a newly dug bed will also enhance your soil structure, meaning it is fertile when the time for spring planting arrives. Plus, spreading a layer of mulch helps suppress any winter weeds, keeping borders neat with minimal effort.

Caring for Lawns During Winter

Although grass growth slows in winter, as it needs a soil temperature of at least 6 degrees celsius to grow, lawns still need attention to stay healthy. Waterlogging is a common issue in winter due to heavy rainfall, which can damage root systems and lead to patchy turf. 

To prevent this, you should aerate your lawn during autumn to improve drainage and reduce soil compaction. Do not aerate when the ground is already frozen or waterlogged though, as this can cause the blades of your aerating tool to break and compact the soil further.

Thanks to damp and shady conditions, your lawn is at its most vulnerable to moss buildup during the winter months. Aeration can help prevent this, as can following anti-moss lawn care regimes like scarification as part of your winter garden maintenance regime.

Cutting grass too short during cold weather can stress your lawn, so try to keep winter mowing to a minimum, unless the weather is mild. Limiting foot traffic across your lawn during colder months - especially when it is wet or frosty - also gives it a better chance of recovering from any weather-related damages come spring. 

Winter Pruning and Tree Care

Winter is an excellent time for pruning trees and shrubs, as many are dormant, making it easier to shape and prepare them for spring growth. Pruning as part of your winter garden maintenance can not only improve the overall structure but also encourage healthy flowering and fruiting once the weather warms up.

Trees and Shrubs to Prune in Winter

Certain plants benefit significantly from winter pruning, including: 

• Specific fruit trees. Winter pruning encourages fruiting branches in apple and pear trees.
• Grapevines. It is important to prune grapevines in winter, when they’re deeply dormant, so that they aren’t weakened from oozing sap.
• Deciduous shrubs. Renovation pruning during winter garden maintenance will revive deciduous shrubs that have become large and unproductive.
• Wisteria. Cutting back wisteria to about two or three buds from the main stem encourages stronger blooms the following season.
• Roses. Removing dead or diseased wood from roses allows them to flower more vibrantly.

Pruning should be done with clean, sharp tools to prevent damage and disease spread. BZ Gardens’ winter maintenance services can assist with pruning large trees or shrubs, ensuring safe and professional results.

Removing Dead or Damaged Branches

Winter storms can take a toll on trees, breaking branches and leaving behind debris. Removing dead or damaged branches is essential for both the health and safety of your garden. Left unchecked, damaged branches can lead to fungal infections or fall and create hazards, so trimming them back promptly as part of your ongoing winter garden maintenance can prevent future issues.

Winter Wildlife Care in Your Garden

Supporting local wildlife is a vital aspect of winter garden maintenance. Creating a winter-friendly habitat encourages biodiversity and enriches your garden’s ecosystem.

Providing Nourishment for Birds 

Birds struggle to find food in winter, making bird feeders a valuable addition to any garden. High-energy foods like sunflower seeds, peanuts, and fat balls attract a variety of bird species, helping them survive the colder months. 

Certain birds can also eat the berries from evergreens such as holly and ivy, which maintain their structure and colour through winter. 

A simple bird bath, kept free of ice, will provide essential hydration as well.

Creating Wildlife Shelters

Small animals like hedgehogs and frogs need safe places to hibernate over winter. Creating shelters, such as piles of logs, leaves, and branches, can provide them with refuge. These natural shelters also support beneficial insects, which, in turn, help control garden pests come spring. 

At BZ Gardens, we encourage incorporating these eco-friendly elements to create a balanced and thriving garden environment during the winter months.

Frequently Asked Questions about Winter Garden Maintenance

Q: How often should I water my garden in winter?

A: In general, garden watering needs decrease in winter, as rainfall is usually sufficient. However, potted plants and greenhouse specimens may still need occasional watering, especially in dry spells.

Q: Is it okay to prune roses in winter?

A: Yes, winter is actually an ideal time to prune roses, as removing diseased or dead wood helps them bloom more vigorously in spring. Focus on removing any weak stems and cutting back to about three buds from the base.

Q: What mulch is best for winter garden beds?

A: Organic mulches like compost, leaf mould, and bark chips are excellent choices for winter garden maintenance. They insulate the soil, retain moisture, and decompose to enrich the soil with nutrients.

Q: Can I plant any new plants in winter?

A: Yes, winter is a great time to plant bare-root trees and shrubs, which can establish roots and be ready to grow in spring. Just ensure the soil isn’t waterlogged or frozen before planting. Winter-flowering plants like hellebores, snowdrops, and crocuses can also offer your garden some much-needed visual appeal.

Keep Your Garden Thriving with Winter Maintenance Services from BZ Gardens

Proper winter garden maintenance is key to ensuring a healthy, attractive outdoor space year-round. With careful attention to plant protection, lawn care, pruning, and wildlife support, you’ll be able to preserve your garden’s health throughout the colder months and enjoy its full potential in spring. 

Need assistance with your winter garden maintenance? BZ Gardens offers winter services to help keep your garden thriving through the coldest months.

Contact us today to discuss your needs or find out more about our wide range of garden services.

During winter, our plants enter a dormant state. This can mean that winter pests are much more likely to strike. But, what are the most common winter pests to keep your eyes out for? In this article, we will be providing our professional advice when it comes to protecting your garden from those unwelcome winter pests. 

Identifying Common Winter Pests

In the UK, it’s not uncommon to see mice, rats and voles. These little creatures can all seek shelter in garden debris, mulch or compost piles.  Most large gardens and estates are surrounded by fields. This can mean that mice fields, for example, will migrate over your garden and hunker down in your outdoor space, where they can scrounge frozen seeks and keep warm. Echoing this point, Home & Garden states that ‘as the temperatures fall, mice are attracted to warmer environments, such as your shed, garage, or home’. Whilst this sounds harmless, mice, rats and voles can also hinder your plants growth and even destroy them all together. 

In the winter, some insects may also take advantage of your dormant garden. Pests such as scale insects, aphids and spider mites can use plant remains or debris to hibernate on or hide within small openings and gaps during the winter months. Aphids in particular, according to the Lady Mole Catcher, love vegetables and ‘no cabbage, broccoli or kale plant is safe.’

When talking about pests, you also can’t forget the potential of deer and other wildlife. As mentioned above, large estates and gardens are usually shouldered by big fields and greenery. Hungry deer, rabbits and other creatures may see your outdoor space as the perfect pace to forage. During the winter, wildlife can struggle to find food, water and other living necessities. Unfortunately, they may start to look towards your garden as a means for surviving the harsh UK winter. 

How Can You Tell If Your Garden Is Being Affected By Pests?

Confirming not only the presence of pests in your outdoor space, but also, what critters are eating your plants is a must. But, how can you tell your garden is being affected?

We would recommend looking for chewed or damaged foliage as a first sign. If the leaves of your plants have irregular holes or jagged edges, it could be a sign they are being eaten. Small holes throughout your plant’s foliage can suggest caterpillars or beetles are feasting on them. 

Speaking of leaves, you will also need to assess whether they are wilting or have begun to look discoloured. Sneaky pests, such as aphids and spider mites will feed on your plants juices and nutrients. This means that the leaves will start to wilt, curl up or even become yellow. Some pests may also  inject toxins into plants, leading to discoloration and further wilting.

Taking an adequate amount of time to inspect your plants can be extremely beneficial, as some pests are visible. That's right- you can occasionally see the pests that are inhabiting your plants. Look closely for the presence of pests, including under your plants leaves, along the stems and in the soil. As well as active, alive pests flitting from plant to plant, you may also see larvae or insect eggs. 

In addition to holes in the leaves, some pests will eat through the soil or containers to get to the roots of your plants. Worms, in particular, such as cutworms or wireworms will live in the soil and feed on what's below. We would recommend checking for any holes or potential tunnels which could indicate soil-dwelling pests. 

This can be tricky to spot in the winter, but if you notice your plants are having a sudden rapid decline in health, despite taking all the precautions for the cold weather, this can be a sign of pests being present. Your gardening team will monitor your garden closing for any these unnatural changes during the colder season.

How To Implement Protective Measures

Winter Garden Maintenance 

Your professional gardening team will take protective measures during the winter to prevent pests from making your outdoor space their home. First step would be to ensure your garden is clear. With autumn following up with winter, it can be easy for garden maintenance to go awry. To fend off those nasty pests, it’s crucial to remove fallen leaves, dead plants and any other debris. Pests can use these hiding spaces to seek shelter during the winter. 

Protecting Your Plants With Mulch

Mulch is an excellent tool for keeping your plants warm during the colder months, but did you know that it can also protect your garden from pests? As professionals, we would suggest having your gardening team maintain a thin layer of mulch to discourage any pests from nesting in your garden. As well as providing a good level of insulation for the plant roots in winter, mulch can be doubly beneficial when it comes to protecting your plants.

Installing Physical Barriers

Keeping the insects off your plants can be just as tricky as keeping away bigger animals. Wildlife like mentioned above, deers, rabbits and mice can also feast on your plants during the colder, less fruitful months. Installing fencing, netting and row covers will deter any bigger creatures from being able to access your garden or your more vulnerable plants. 

Monitor and Inspect Your Plants

Keeping a close eye on your plants can be simple when you have a professional gardening team. Preventative maintenance to prevent pest activity can be just as important as using protective measures. Professionals will be able to monitor your garden or large estate for any signs of chewed foliage, burrows, or insect egg masses.

Natural Pest Control Methods

Natural pest control methods also have a place in every garden. Many of these measures should be taken during the garden design phase, but also be added to fully-formed gardens at any stage. A great, natural way to prevent pests would be to encourage beneficial insects into our garden. For example, ladybugs and lacewings can help control aphids and other, unwanted visitors. 

Similar to inviting in beneficial insects, you can also welcome predatory birds into your garden. This can be super simple if you live in a rural area, owls and hawks can be attracted into your outdoor space through plants with tasty berries or by installing nesting boxes or perches. 

Many gardening experts will also encourage you to consider companion planting. By using pest-repellent herbs or flowers, you can naturally keep pests away from your delicate plants. Some of the top recommended plants would be marigolds, garlic, and chrysanthemums. 

BZ Gardens - Professional gardeners Of Surrey

Don't let pesky winter pests disrupt the beauty of your garden this spring. Whether you're dealing with aphids, scale insects, spider mites, or any other unwelcome visitors, our team of professionals are here to provide expert advice and effective solutions. Please contact us on 01483 967160 to speak with one of our team members today. 

During the winter, taking care of our garden can seem like a daunting task. Whilst our greenery may appear less ‘needy’, large estates and gardens, with many herbaceous plants present, will require a lot of maintenance and upkeep. In this article, we will be discussing how you can care for your herbaceous plants during the colder seasons. 

How To Start Winter Mulching

Winter mulching is a must when it comes to caring for your herbaceous plants. Applying a layer of either organic or inorganic mulch around the base of your plant will further protect the soil and the roots from the nasty unpredictable weather we get here in the UK. 

Winter mulching can be a great preventive measure as it helps the soil maintain its moisture. In the winter, your professional gardening team will adapt their watering schedule to be less frequent. Whilst the plants require less water, it’s still important to keep the soil moist. Mulch can also prevent weeds from taking over. Here at BZ Gardens, we understand the importance of winter garden maintenance. To ensure that your garden is ready for spring, we regularly recommend mulching as a way to stop weeds from growing out of control. 

Winter Pruning For Your Plants

The early winter is the perfect time to start pruning your trees. Pruning your herbaceous plants and removing the dead or diseased leaves can not only promote a much more tidy appearance, but it also prevents any potential diseases or pests from spreading to your other plants. As in the winter, our plants and trees go through a dormant period, they can’t defend themselves as well as they normally would be able to . Winter pruning allows you to get ahead of this issue and ensure they are fighting fit for the upcoming cold season. 

Protecting Against Frost

The goal of winter is to protect all your herbaceous plants from the frost. Protecting against the frost can be done many times, but one of the most recommended is through frost blankets or burlap. As soon as the weather starts to hit freezing temperatures, it's a good idea to cover herbaceous plants over to ensure they aren’t affected. 

This can be particularly important for plants that are not adaptable to the cold. Many gardening professionals will recommend that during the winter, you may want to remove the covers during the milder days. This allows for proper air circulation and avoids root rot. 

Wind Protection

In the UK, the winter can see many changes of temperature, including high-levels of rain, frost and of course, wind. Winter wind can be extremely harsh on some varieties of herbaceous plants. This can lead to them not thriving come spring, and risks further damage and dehydration.  Your professional gardening team can install windbreaks, such as burlap screens or fencing, to protect your plants from strong winter winds. This is especially crucial for taller or more delicate varieties.

While this can sound like a garden eye-sore, this article from GardenBenches.com, titled ‘How To Create Shelter In A Windy Garden’, details how wind protection can become part of your garden design. For example, it discusses how you can grow your own natural wind protection. It states, ‘trees and hedges work wonders when considering how to create shelter in a windy garden without obscuring your view’. Hedges naturally filter wind, rather than completely stopping it and can be integrated into the overall design of your large estate or garden easily. 

You can also plant wind resistant flowers, to ensure your garden looks beautiful, even in the winter winds. This article recommends ‘Zinnia, Geranium, Marigold, Coreopsis, Gazania, Lavender, Shasta daisy, Alyssum, Portulaca’. These plants all work well together and when placed in a windy environment.

Monitor for Pests and Diseases

Ironically, whilst our plants go into their dormant state during the winter, pests and diseases still tend to thrive. During the winter, it’s an excellent time to inspect your herbaceous plants up close, on a regular basis to check for signs.

This can be presented as anything from leaf discolouration (often showing as yellow or brown spotting),  fine silky webbing on the soil, leaves dropping or flies on or near the soil. We would recommend speaking to your professional gardening team about how to treat any issues promptly, as winter conditions can exacerbate problems and weaken the plants.

How Do You Care for Herbaceous Perennials?

Caring for herbaceous plants can be a job in itself, but what about caring for herbaceous perennials? Taking extra steps to care for herbaceous perennials in winter is essential to ensuring that they survive until the return of spring. 

The first step from your professional gardening team will be cutting back on any dead foliage of the plants. This will remove any pests and disease, before they enter their dormant period. Then, as mentioned above, they will tend to add a layer of mulch around the base. This will insulate the soil and protect the roots from any temperate drops. It is recommended, if you have any potted perennial plants, to move them into a more sheltered location during the winter. Your professional gardeners will regularly monitor these plants during the cold season.

Professional Gardening Services In Surrey

During the winter months, your garden requires a lot of maintenance to prepare it for spring. Here at BZ Gardens, we understand the importance of taking care of your herbaceous plants and will be able to offer a wealth of knowledge on how to do so. If you would like to speak to one of our team, here at BZ Gardens, please contact us on 01483 967160.

Growing fruit in residential areas can be an interesting, fun and rewarding hobby. Many novices dream of plucking perfect fruit of trees or plants in their gardens. However, high quality harvests do not happen without knowledge and a great deal of work. Controlling pests (insects and diseases) is an integral part of the care necessary to achieve good results. 

This blog provides guidelines for pest management in home fruit plantings, but good pest control is not possible if spraying is the only action taken. Success starts with selection of disease resistant cultivars and sites that are open and full sun. Cultural practices such as pruning and sanitation are also necessary for good pest control. 

The Importance Of Plant Protection In Winter and Schedule of Spraying

Most fungicide (disease control product) and some insecticide (insect control product) applications are effective only if applied preventatively because it is not possible to control the pest satisfactorily after infection or infestation. 

In very rainy seasons, sprays may need to be applied more frequently than the usual practice. Wet weather favours development of the disease-causing organisms; thus, more chemical protection is needed. Also, rains can wash off the pesticides (fungicides and insecticides). When rain occurs before a spray has dried or if rainfall totals more than 1 inch within 24 hours, the spray should be re-applied. However, do not delay fungicide application if rain is forecast because fungicides provide more benefit when applied before a rain than after. Protection from infection by disease-causing organisms is needed when plant surfaces are wet. 

Thorough coverage of all aboveground plant parts is needed for good pest control. One of the biggest mistakes home fruit growers make is allowing plants and trees to grow too tall. If dwarf and semi-dwarf trees are selected and then maintained at a manageable height, it is easier to spray them properly as well as to harvest the fruit. Proper pruning practices also reduce the amount of spray needed and permits better coverage. 

The type of sprayer used depends on the size of the fruit planting. For most plantings of small fruits or for a few small fruit trees, hand-pump sprayers are adequate. Trombone-type sprayers are helpful for taller trees. For the increased spray volumes required by larger home orchards, power sprayers are recommended. 

Mixing a commercial spreader-sticker with the spray solution provides better coverage of slick surfaces, such as apple fruit or blackberry stems. See the pesticide label to find a suitable spreader-sticker. 

The product labels give the rates, and those rates must be followed. The label rates are expressed as amount per gallon of water. The following table can be used to determine the amount of spray mixture needed. 

Multipurpose Fruit Spray 

Multipurpose fruit tree spray products are mixtures containing a fungicide and insecticides. Insecticides should not be applied during bloom because they will kill bees. It may be more convenient to purchase the fungicide separate from the insecticide. Multipurpose sprays are effective against some, but not all, pests. 

Protect Pollinating Insects 

Honey bees and other pollinating insects must be protected from insecticides, which will kill them. Do not spray fruit plants with insecticides while the plants are in bloom. The literature is mixed on the safety of copper products (copper sulphate + lime [Bordeaux Mixture], copper hydroxide) for bees, and some literature suggests other fungicides may negatively impact pollinator health. To reduce risk to bees, when applying fungicides during bloom (especially copper products), only apply products during late evening, night, or early morning when bees are not foraging. 

To protect people and the environment, pesticides should be used safely. This is
everyone’s responsibility, especially the user. Read and follow label directions carefully before you buy, mix, apply, store or dispose of a pesticide. According to laws regulating pesticides, they must be used only as directed by the label.

Pesticide Safety 

Most of the pesticides suggested for use in this publication are low-toxicity materials; however, some precautions are still needed. 

• Keep pesticides in the original, labelled container. 
• Keep pesticides in a locked storage cabinet, away from children or pets. 
• Read the label each time before you use the product. 
• Wear rubber gloves, goggles, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and a hat when mixing and applying pesticides. 
• Handle the pesticide carefully when mixing. Avoid breathing dust or vapours. Wash any chemicals on the skin immediately with plenty of water. 
• Never apply insecticides or fungicides with a sprayer that has been used for weed killers. 
• Do not spray if it is windy. 
• Mix only as much as you need. Do not store diluted spray mixtures from one application to the next. They will lose effectiveness and are unsafe. 
• Observe the waiting period in days between the final spray and harvest (pre-harvest intervals) and re-entry requirements given in the following table and on the product label. 

How Do Winter Sprays Work?

Just like the trees are sleeping and recovering during the winter, so are a lot of insects and diseases in their own way. They're going through a dormant period of their own and many of these insects and diseases will do their winter rest on the tree itself. Some examples might be mites, scales, or woolly apple aphids.

Some diseases, particularly bacterial diseases like fire blight, will be residing on the tree itself. And so we want to be aware of that. And in order to reduce the pest pressure or the disease inoculum when the season starts, there are some treatments that we can apply that we need to think about that will help to reduce the population say of overwintering mite eggs or overwintering scale. And by getting a jump on the season, it reduces the potential for those pests and diseases to be bigger problems in season than they would be if we didn't do anything.

One of the most classic applications is horticultural oil. And the horticultural oil would be applied in a dilute spray. And by dilute, I mean maybe 1% to 2% oil in water, and that would be applied to the entire surface of the tree. What the oil does is it essentially smothers the mite eggs or the scale or the woolly apple aphids.

Some other sprays can be applied, copper being one of them, lime sulphur would be another, and also neem oil and Karanja oil which are seed oils from trees in India have also become very popular. They act differently than horticultural petroleum oils and they actually have some added benefits for the health of the tree, but in the dormant season, those are the basic options that we're dealing with to help with these overwintering insects and disease pressures.

When it comes to oils or copper and lime sulphur, if those products are applied when there's foliage on the tree, you can get what's called phytotoxicity. So these products can damage or burn off the leaves. And if it's even later than that, they could potentially burn the flowers or lead to roughened fruit.

And so, if it is known there is a mite problem or a scale problem, these products need to be applied earlier in the dormant season. Maybe in late January, mid to late March or so. At that time, you can apply them at a higher rate and have a greater impact on those pest species populations.

The sooner we get to that bud swell, bud break, and what we call green tip, which is when you start to see the very, very first hints of green tissue emerge, we need to reduce the rates so that we don't cause any phytotoxicity problems in the tree itself.

And so, by reducing the rates once the buds start to break, we're obviously going to have less efficacy against some of those insects and disease pests. But as well, those pests are starting to wake up and they become more susceptible. So, there's a little bit of a sweet spot.

We don't like to recommend applying anything too early in the dormant season. We also don't want to apply it too late because then we have to reduce the rates too much. So somewhere right around what we call delayed dormant. So just as the buds start to swell, but before there's that green tissue, that's really the sweet spot of when you want to apply these for the most efficacy.

Spraying Different Plants 

Proper identification of insect pests and diseases is an important step before attempting to control the pest. Not all plant problems are caused by pests; some are caused by cultural, nutritional or environmental conditions. 

If you are unsure, feel free to contact our experts who provide a host of garden maintenance services. 

BZ Gardens - Garden Maintenance Services 

Winter wash spraying your plants and shrubbery is a great way to improve their longevity and health going into spring and summer. Our experts at BZ Gardens offer a range of important garden maintenance services to improve your garden's appearance and health, whether you need a general tidy-up or some trimming we’d be happy to offer our assistance. For more information take a look at our services here, alternatively get in touch with us here. 

Maintaining your outdoor space during the winter months is a necessary measure that needs to be taken. This can make gardening and management in Spring and Summer months drastically easier. On the other hand, business owners must also prepare for the winter season. Private companies are legally obligated to ensure that areas around their commercial property are free from ice and snow as much as possible. As hard landscape specialists we delve into the importance of adequate winter maintenance.

How Does Gritting Work

Gritting is the process that involves spreading a mixture of rock salt on roads or pathways to prevent the formation of ice during heavy snowfall or icy conditions. Most companies have winter policies that ensure that gritting takes place as and when it's needed. Having the preparations in place is imperative, icy conditions can quickly form overnight creating dangerous conditions. 

The Risks Of Poor Winter Maintenance 

Business owners are responsible for their business premises safety. Did you know that if someone were injured at your business premises you could be eligible to pay for fines and other compensation fees. Taking every step possible to minimise these risks could prevent you from paying tens of thousands. Business owners and councils must ensure that roads, walkways and pavements have adequate gritting and preparation during icy conditions. The results of poor maintenance during the winter months in the past have cost organisations up to £500,000 due to staff injury.

Getting A Winter Maintenance Contract 

As you are now aware of the risks and costs associated with poor winter maintenance, you may consider locating a contract. Our experts at BZ Gardens can provide specialist gritting and snow clearing services to a plethora of clients that are not limited to but include; Schools, Hospitals, Business parks, Warehouses, Car parks and more. We are constantly monitoring weather conditions throughout autumn and winter, we do this so we can stay on top of the formation of ice. 

What Does The BZ Gardens Winter Maintenance Service Include?

Our bespoke service begins with a full site visit. During the visit we will note down any areas or locations that will be more likely to lead to the formation of ice. We then create a full preventative solution and risk management assessment to find a solution that will minimise injury or harm. Our hard landscape winter maintenance service allows you to hand over full responsibility to us which includes; Forecasting, planning delivery and reporting. You can rest assured that any harsh weather and road conditions will be dealt with.

BZ Gardens - Hard Landscape Specialists  

We can carry out gritting, snow clearing and other winter maintenance services for you to prevent any unwanted business or personal disruption. For more information take a look at our services here. Alternatively get in contact with us through our contact form to speak to a professional today. We’d be more than happy to help you.