Winter is fast approaching, and it’s time to get ready. Whether you love or hate the winter season, it’s something nobody can avoid in the UK. As the nights roll in and we swap salads for warming casseroles, it’s only natural to want to spend more time indoors.
But for people who love gardening or spending time outdoors, winter can be a difficult time of year to endure. So, in this post, we’ll explore some popular ways to enjoy your garden in winter.
Whether you’re a green-fingered friend or just miss sitting in your garden enjoying a drink, these tips ensure you can make the most of your outdoor space.
Lighting
Those dark evenings often mean people want nothing more than to curl up with a blanket in front of the TV. But if you’re missing being outside, some well-placed lighting can transform your dull garden into a haven.
It’s pretty easy to achieve the look, and once it’s complete, you’ll love spending time in the garden – just remember to keep warm!
Buy Garden Lanterns
It isn’t easy to enjoy your garden in the winter, but garden lanterns can light the area up and add some magic to your garden. Imagine stunning lanterns illuminating your trees or lined up along the pathway, and you’ll see why this idea is so popular.
Mason Jar Candles
Another fantastic way to light up your garden is by placing candles in mason jars. Not only is this a sustainable solution because it doesn’t require electricity, but you can buy cheap tea lights that will last for a long time.
Fairy Lights
Nothing screams Christmas like fairy lights, so it’s only natural that they should light up your garden. Whether it’s wrapping them in mason jars or hanging them from your garden fence, your outdoor space can come to life.
Bring the Heat
Nothing spoils your time outdoors like the cold weather, but with some forward-thinking, you can bring some heat into your garden and enjoy spending time outside with a hot chocolate, marshmallows and your closest friends.
Outdoor Heater
The simplest option is to get an outdoor heater, which will warm you up immediately. There are plenty to choose from, but it’s important to think about energy efficiency and choose a heater that suits your needs.
Some people prefer halogen heaters, while others prefer a warm fan, but you should always make sure the heater is suitable for indoor use.
Fire Pit
One of our favourite ways to bring the indoors outside is adding a fire pit to your garden. Not only is it a great way to warm up your garden, but it can turn your home into a social gathering hub.
People love sitting around a fire pit, and they’re easy to build. Imagine relaxing with mulled wine or hot chocolate and marshmallows on those cold winter evenings. What could be better?
Attract More Wildlife
You’ll notice that during the spring and summer months, your garden is bursting with wildlife. Birds chirp outside your window each morning, and bees buzz around your flowers – which is one of the reasons people love spring and summer.
Well, you can brighten up your garden and help wildlife survive the winter. It’s the most challenging time of year for them, so incorporate extra feeders and a birdhouse to provide shelter for animals.
You can also make a hibernation pod for insects by tying sunflower stems and bamboo together. They work because insects naturally seek shelter during the colder months, so you can help them to thrive and not have to move on.
Did you know that almost half of the hedgehog population dies during the winter? Incorporating something as simple as a hedgehog house in your garden can make a big difference and provide some much-needed shelter for hedgehogs.
Use Your Greenhouse
Greenhouses are ideal for winter because you can still enjoy gardening without the cold weather. Some people like to grow citrus plants in their greenhouse during the winter months, while others sow seeds to prepare for spring planting.
There’s so much you can do, and even if those temperatures continue to drop, just insulate your greenhouse using bubble wrap.
Keep On Top Of Your Vegetables
Just because it’s winter, it doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice your vegetable plot. In fact, parsnips taste better after a frost, and you can also harvest leeks, cabbage, Brussel sprouts and winter salads.
If you want to keep on top of your garden vegetables, take some time to plant rhubarb, raspberries and garlic during the winter, so they’ll begin to flourish when spring hits.
You can also try to grow some vegetables inside, such as pulses, and people are becoming more interested in microgreens, which can go from seed into plant within a few days.
Make Some Plans
Winter is the perfect time to begin planning the perfect garden design. You can research which plants you’d like to incorporate and any hardscaping features, including pergolas, ponds, and pathways.
If you’d like some help, a professional landscaping service can draw up personalised garden plans so that you can get the best results for your outdoor space. Planning now means you’ll be able to change your garden as soon as the warmer weather hits and won’t have to wait for a gardening service.
We’re always busier in the spring and summer, so drawing up those plans means our landscape designers can get straight to work as soon as spring hits.
The Bottom Line
Winter doesn’t have to ruin your garden time, and we hope this post gives you ideas on how to make the most of your outdoor space. Remember, anyone can make small changes to ensure their gardens remain functional, regardless of the season.
If you’d like some help designing your perfect garden, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team.
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