How To Navigate Garden Estate Management in Cold Weather

Navigating your garden estate management can mean that your professional gardens services will have to implement strategic measures to protect your ever-growing landscape and ensure it thrives come spring. In this article, we will act as a guide on how to navigate an estate or large garden during winter.

Winter Garden Preparation

Winter garden preparation is a critical task that will ensure the health and vitality of your plants during the colder months, and for the rest of the year. As the temperature begins to drop and frost looms, taking proactive steps to take care of your garden becomes essential.

Prune and Mulch

In winter, it’s important to protect your plants from the unpredictable weather. It’s recommended to trim back your perennial plants before the weather starts to get too cold. As professionals, we would also suggest applying a layer of mulch to further protect the roots of your tender plants from freezing temperatures. 

Mulching your garden beds will insulate the soil and regulate temperature. This will protect your plants from extreme cold. Not only does mulch provide a robust shield against the ice and frost, but it also aids in moisture retention, preventing the soil from drying out during the dormant season. 

Cover Delicate Plants

As well as mulch, you can also cover your delicate or tender plants during the winter. By using frost cloths or burlap, you can shield your garden from the harsh winter conditions. Frost cloths, which are made from breathable materials, can offer an extremely helpful, protective barrier without stifling the plants underneath. 

Their lightweight design allows for air circulation, preventing the accumulation of excess moisture that could lead to fungal issues. These cloths are specifically crafted to shield plants from frost, providing a microclimate that is a few degrees warmer than the surrounding environment. This subtle temperature elevation can make a significant difference, especially during particularly cold nights when frost poses a heightened threat.

Soil Care

Before the winter weather takes hold, it’s important to care for your soil as well as your plant’s roots. We would suggest avoiding compaction of the soil as a first step. Minimise foot traffic on frozen soil to prevent further compaction, which could damage the roots of your plants. 

By steering clear of unnecessary foot traffic, you take a proactive step in preserving the integrity of the soil structure and, in turn, safeguarding the well-being of your plants as they enter the dormant winter phase. This simple yet effective precaution contributes to the overall resilience of your garden, paving the way for a healthy and thriving landscape when the frost retreats in the spring.

Protecting Garden Structures

Protecting your plants during the winter is a must, but so is looking after your garden structures. As homeowners, our outdoor buildings can sometimes be forgotten about – after all, they are made for the outside, right? Whilst outdoor furniture can withstand the dropping temperatures, it can be a good idea to protect them further. 

Greenhouse & Outdoor Structure Maintenance

In addition to protecting your plants, it’s also important to consider your garden structures outside. If you are using a professional gardens service, they will be inspecting your outside structures during the winter months. 

Maintaining outdoor garden spaces, such as greenhouses, can become even more imperative during the cold. A greenhouse can provide an all-important controlled environment for delicate plants. 

Secure Garden Furniture

Garden furniture can also take a lot of damage during the winter. With the unpredictable weather, your outside furniture can experience frost and snow, the same as your plants. Whilst garden chairs, sofas and tables are made to be durable and hardy, it can prolong their life to protect them as well during the winter. 

Covering your garden furniture during the winter can serve as a preventative measure against the harsh elements. Protective covers, specifically designed for outdoor furniture, act as a barrier, shielding against snow, frost, and moisture. Outdoor covers are often designed with breathable material, which can prevent the accumulation of moisture and reduce the risk of mould or mildew growth.

Watering Considerations

Watering plants during freezing conditions can be a bit tricky, and the approach largely depends on the specific circumstances. In general, it’s advisable to reduce watering as temperatures drop, especially when the ground is frozen. As the soil freezes, it can get trickier for the plants to absorb moisture – that’s why it’s vital you adequately hydrate them beforehand.

Also, keeping the soil moist could be an additional way to keep your plants warmer during the winter. According to an article from Home & Garden, titled ‘Should I water my plants before a frost? Experts have these warnings to avoid frost damage’, knowing when to water your plants during the colder is the key to keeping them healthy. This article states that ‘moist soil holds up to four times more heat than dry soil, so, if you are in a dry climate, watering might well be necessary a couple of days before a frost is forecast’.

As for water frequency, based on the weather conditions, you should adjust your watering frequency to avoid overwatering your plants during periods of frost. This article also expresses how ‘if a plant is still covered in frost crystals after the harsh frosts have passed, you can use a small amount of water to wash the ice away’.

Wildlife and Bird Care

Protecting your plants is one thing, but what about the surrounding wildlife? Birds and other creatures can find it increasingly difficult in the winter. They may struggle to find food and shelter. 

Feeding Stations

It isn’t only our plants that really feel the cold, birds and other wildlife can also benefit from some extra care. In your large garden or estate, it can be beneficial to set up feeding stations for visiting birds. In the winter, it can be more difficult for creatures to find food. Feeding tables or bird feeders can provide them with the essential nutrients they need. 

Plus, who doesn’t love a beautiful display of birds – particularly in the winter when there is little else happening in your garden. Also according to Homes & Gardens ‘Both bird houses and bird feeders need to be positioned where birds won’t be vulnerable to predators – as far as possible’. This means that placing them at least 5 ft from the ground. This will ensure these creatures feel safe visiting your estate. 

Protecting Wildlife Habitats

In addition to birds, there are many other critters that will need protecting during the frost. It’s important to maintain natural habitats as much as possible within your garden. This will support all the local wildlife which may be seeking shelter. With garden parties and get-togethers taking a backseat in the colder months, it can mean that our outdoor spaces become a safe haven for other wildlife. If you want to help protect the nature around you, then we would recommend protecting wildlife habitats in your garden. 

Why Should You Hire a Professional Gardening Team For Estate Management?

Whilst our plants go into their dormant state during the winter, there is still plenty of work to be done – especially with bigger gardens and estates. With these large outdoor spaces, they can be time consuming to take care of, and this can get even more difficult in the winter. If you want to enjoy your garden come spring, now is the time to hire a professional gardening team. If you want to speak to our team here at BZ Gardens, please contact us on 01483 967160.