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The wonderful weather the UK has been experiencing in recent months has had a dramatic impact on our gardens. The prolonged, hot periods of dry weather with minimal rain that the UK has been experiencing are likely to occur more often in the future. As a result a great deal of thought needs to be given to how gardens can be designed and maintained to be able to cope with these changing conditions. Here are some tips:
1. Prepare your soil - dig in large quantities of organic matter to improve soil structure, soil water retention and water availability for plants. Well-rotted garden compost, mushroom compost, composted bark and well-rotted farmyard manure are all suitable forms of organic matter. Apply a thick top mulch, for example shredded bark, which will help to retain any moisture and also suppress weeds. 2. Choose appropriate plants - try to choose plants that are suitable for the site's soil and aspect as they will be more tolerant of varying climatic conditions as well as of pest and disease problems. Some species of Mediterranean plants (lavandula, stachys and perhaps some salvias) are already adapted to hot, dry conditions in free draining soil and may also be able to withstand waterlogging through flooding events (which will also be a factor to consider in the future). 3. Store rain water - many parts of the UK are now experiencing drought conditions with bans on the use of hose pipes. The bans are intended to be temporary but ongoing water conservation will probably become a priority in the future. Positioning vessels and containers, e.g. water butts, around the garden that can capture water when rain does come will help reduce the burden on the water network. 4. Don't worry about your lawn - most lawns at the moment are probably very brown but they are surprisingly drought tolerant, and usually recover well when it does rain. Lawn irrigation should rarely be required, if at all, to keep the grass healthy. But, if you have a small garden and you don't want to look at a brown patch all summer, you might consider creating a gravel garden instead. These are typically low maintenance as opposed to having to maintain a lawn once a week.  The cold can pose a significant threat to plants, including evergreens which are generally more acclimatised to winter conditions. Frost in particular can cause serious damage to tender plant varieties, as the water within the plant cells freezes, causing damage and resulting in limp, brown plants. The cells in hardier plants are less vulnerable, but the surrounding soil can freeze and prevent the plant from getting enough moisture needed to survive.
We know the cold can kill, so don’t let winter destroy your garden. Let's explore five of the most effective ways to protect your garden and guard your plants from frost. Plant Strategically When considering a way to protect your plants from frost, the best method is to plant strategically. Areas that are afforded a greater level of protection from being sheltered by a wall or by larger, sizable hedges for instance, should be reserved for the more delicate plants. Frost forms first within the lowest points of a garden, so if your garden has a large hollow or dip, save this for the hardier plant varieties. For very delicate plants, defrosting too quickly after a chilly evening can cause greater damage than the initial freezing, so avoid planting them in east-facing areas that attract direct sunlight. Replanting your more delicate plants now could save them in the long run. Pot Vulnerable or Delicate Plants It is uncommon to be working with a garden that has been precisely planned to your own specifications, but there are other simple steps that you can take to protect your existing plants from the cold. One very straightforward method to make sure your plants remain protected is to grow your most delicate specimens in pots, so they can be brought inside when the cold weather strikes. Apply a Layer of Mulch To better insulate your tender perennials, apply a layer of mulch of around 5 cm to the plants as this will help keep the root systems warm by acting as an insulator and preventing the soil from freezing. Around the plants themselves, grit should be used between the mulch to allow for improved drainage ensuring the roots do not rot. Cover Delicate Plants with a Blanket If frost is predicted overnight, covering your more delicate plants with a blanket can be effective in protecting these plants from frost damage, although this does little to increase the temperature. When covering plants, take care in making sure the blanket does not weigh down the branches or leaves. Rather, prop it up with stakes where necessary to prevent it from coming into direct contact with the plants. Even larger and more hardy plants can do with some protection during the winter. Tree ferns for instance should have their trunks wrapped with chicken wire and straw in order to prevent them from rotting. For added insulation, the fronds of your tree fern can be left on over winter, although they will likely need to be removed during the spring. Invest in a Greenhouse or Polytunnel One of the best ways to protect your garden plants in winter is with a greenhouse . If you would like better control of the growing environment of your plants, then consider a greenhouse or a polytunnel. These tunnels work much like a greenhouse does by trapping heat within the structure using solar radiation, but are far less expensive. Both greenhouse and polytunnels can be used to create a growing environment which would not be possible within your own garden, and can extend the growing season of plants. They can be used to help maintain a constant temperature in summer, and allow for protection from winter’s wind and frost. The Best Winter Plants for Your Garden Deciduous Shrubs Abeliophyllum distichum, or white forsythia, are delicate white flowers which bloom on bare stems in late winter. They create a fragrant, fountain-like appearance of cascading petals which survive comfortably during frost or snow conditions. Daphne mezereum, or February daphne, have purplish-pink petals and often produce clusters of vivid red berries throughout the autumn. Caution should be exercised if you have young children as while these plants can be alluring, they are highly toxic. Harmamelis, or witch hazel, is available in a wide range of colours and shapes. All variations available are winter flowering, producing flowers between the during the period of December through to March. Evergreen Shrubs Elaeagnus pungen, or Maculata Elaeagnus pungens, are small, fragrant white flowers which appear from autumn onwards. Depending on the lighting, the leaves of these plants can appear almost silvery, complementing your frost-tipped lawn areas and adding some extra winter magic to your garden. Mahonia media, or Charity Mahonia media, is a large plant coming in variations of spikes, cones or yellow flowers. This broad, imposing plant flowers in November and December, but is ideal as a hardy garden centrepiece all year round. Climbers Clematis cirrhosa, nicknamed Freckles, is a variety which thrives in the winter months and should be placed near border walls to help them climb. These climbers offer pale yellow flowers with maroon speckles, and leaves with a glossy bronze tint. Clematis cirrhosa, or Balearica, grows to approximately 4m in height and produces small elegant creamy yellow and purple fleck petals, flowering throughout the period of November to March. Herbaceous perennials Helleborus niger, or Christmas rose, is a pretty white flower capable of easily withstanding the extremes of winter. These perennials flower throughout December and grow in clusters with stems which hold flowers above its foliage. Iris unguicularis, or Algerian iris, is a breathtaking flower capable of uplifting any winter display with its majestic, vivid colouration. These flowers boast fragrant and luxurious deep lilac petals with white and yellow feather patterns, and can grow up to 22cm in height. Final Winter Gardening Tips To keep your garden looking its best in winter, make sure you choose sturdy or seasonal plants which are suited for harsh conditions. Avoid golden or variegated plant varieties as these are generally more vulnerable and less likely to survive cold winters. A safe choice for any time of year are evergreens, which add colour to gardens and can also work effectively as wind breakers to protect more delicate plants. Some bulbs tolerate, or sometimes even require, a period of cold temperature to be able to produce their best flowers. These are hardy bulbs such as cyclamen coum, snowdrops and winter aconite which should be planted in spring to flower and produce much needed colour throughout winter. Winter can be the ideal time to improve your garden, ready in time for the next spring and summer. If you’ve been thinking of adding new features, a greenhouse, or fresh paving, the winter is the perfect time to rethink your layout and create the perfect frame for the months to come. Winter gardening advice like Minster Paving’s Winter Gardening Hub can help you discover more tips including how to protect your patio this winter, and how to attract birdlife into your garden.
Below is a very useful list of things to do in winter in preparation for spring provided by Albina Paige of Craig Manor Hotel.
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