Winter Garden Maintenance Tips

Winter hasn't officially started yet, but it's fair to say it's been feeling like it lately with the drop in temperature! The Winter Solstice is on 21st December, which marks the official start of winter in the UK. Click here for fun facts about the Winter Solstice.

At Stone Zone, we have compiled a guide of top tips for maintaining your garden over winter, as well as how best to prepare various landscaping features to ensure they survive the colder weather.

Enrich existing soil

Consider adding organic matter to your plant beds now so your soil will be nutrient-rich by the spring.

Purchase Soil Improver Compost online or in-store
Using a garden fork, gently turn the surface of your soil
Evenly spread your organic compost across the top

Prep your patio

Whether you've recently had a new garden patio installed, or you've got long-standing existing garden paving, follow these steps to ensure it looks as good as new by the time spring comes around.

Clean your patio: sweep any debris away from your garden patio, including leaves and twigs from autumn. If needed, pressure wash the paving slabs with a suitable jet washer
Address any stains: remove any spillages or stains that have occurred over the last year; we recommend Azpects Patio & Deck Cleaner
Repair any damage: if your garden patio is a few years old, it might have a small crack within the paving that needs filling. Sometimes the joints become worn and cracked too; these can be re-filled with a heavy duty jointing compound such as Azpects EasyJoint Select
Seal your paving slabs where necessary: if you have natural stone paving in your garden, it's a good idea to seal it to offer the best protection against winter frost. Azpects EasySeal is a great range for this

Take care of your turf

Your garden lawn is a really important one to look after over winter, especially as the UK can quite often see a lot of rainfall through the season.

Minimise foot traffic: now might be a good time to consider stepping stones for your garden lawn, as the more foot traffic on your grass, the higher the risk of soil compaction and damage, especially while wet or frosty
Rake away debris: give your lawn a general clear of fallen leaves and twigs to ensure sunlight has the best chance of reaching the roots
Aerate your turf: using a garden fork, or aerator shoes if you're fortunate enough to own some, work across your lawn now to encourage air to the roots and improve drainage
Limit grass mowing: avoid cutting your grass too often or too short; it can cause stress as it's not actively growing

Provided the ground isn't frozen, now can also be a great time to lay fresh turf.

Protect your plants

Some plants are hardy to the colder weather, but some will need extra care and attention. Always follow your plants' care guides for best results.

Prune your roses: or any of your trees and shrubs, for that matter! Many shrubs will be dormant over the winter, making now an ideal time to cut them back to encourage growth when spring returns
Protect plants with mulch: woodland mulch is a gardener's best friend this time of year. Adding a thick layer of mulch (30mm) to your plant beds and borders will protect your soil from frost, whilst allowing slow drainage of rainwater through wet periods
Add a winter layer for warmth: this can be in the form of garden fleece or cloches, which are both designed to cover plants sensitive to cold and keep frost away. You might also want to bring some plants indoors for the best protection

Winter Garden Essentials

We offer our full range of garden and landscaping materials with free in-store collection or fast home delivery.

Be extra prepared this winter! Buy rock salt to prevent your paths and driveways from becoming dangerous and slippery. It can be purchased in 20kg maxi bags or 850kg bulk bags.