With shorter days and cooler weather coming, here’s how you can ensure your garden survives the season and thrives again come spring.

Clean Up Debris (But Not Too Much)

Start by clearing any plants that have passed their best. This prevents pests and pathogens from overwintering in your garden beds. Don’t overdo this, though: leave some seed heads and plant stalks for birds and beneficial insects. Native bees, for instance, nest in hollow stems and need that shelter to survive winter.

Fallen leaves should be removed from the lawn as this will suffocate and smother the grass, and potentially cause bare areas. Leaves in the beds are fine as they will rot down and add essential organic matter to soil and also provide cover as a natural mulch.

Pro tip: Only compost healthy plant material and avoid composting anything with disease or pests.

Protect Perennials

Perennials die back in the winter but return stronger in the spring. To help them survive and store energy ready for spring growth:

• Cut back most perennials after the first hard frost
• Leave a few inches of stem to prevent rot at the base
• Lay the cuttings across the base of the plant as this will protect from frosts.

This helps regulate soil temperature and moisture levels.

Mulch, Mulch, Mulch

Mulching is one of the best winter prep steps you can take. It:

• Keeps soil temperature more consistent
• Reduces water loss
• Protects against erosion
• Keeps weeds in check
• Provides protection against frost.

Apply 2–4 inches of organic mulch around your plants, but keep it a few inches away from stems and trunks to prevent rot. Don’t apply too much as this can harbour moisture around the base of the plants and encourage mould and rot development.

Amend Your Soil

Autumn and early winter are ideal times to improve your soil’s health. Add compost or well-rotted manure to your beds to slowly break down over winter: enriching your soil in time for spring planting. Use the leaf matter as stated earlier.

Protect Young Trees and Shrubs

Winter sun, wind and fluctuating temperatures can damage young trees and shrubs. Here’s how to help them survive:

• Wrap trunks with tree wrap, plastic or hessian guards to prevent cracking (especially fruit trees)
• Stake or check existing and newly planted trees if necessary to protect from strong winds
• Water well before the ground freezes – dry roots are more vulnerable to cold.

Drain and Store Garden Tools & Hoses

Don’t forget your equipment! Frozen water can crack hoses and damage irrigation systems. Be sure to drain any hoses and irrigation lines thoroughly and store them in a dry place. Then, clean and oil any tools in storage to prevent rust.

Bring Tender Plants Indoors

If you grow tropicals or tender perennials, bring them inside before the first frost. Inspect for pests first, and place near a sunny window. You can water these less than usual though, as houseplants typically go semi-dormant in winter.

Plan for Spring

Winter is nature’s pause, and is a perfect time for you to reflect on your garden ideas:

• Sketch out your spring planting plans
• Review what worked well this year (and what didn’t)
• Browse seed catalogues for inspiration.

You’ll be ready to hit the ground running once the soil warms up!