Preparing Your Garden for Winter: Making the Most of the Cooler Months

As the nights draw in and the BBQ feels like a distant memory (why does summer always vanish so quickly in the UK? 🤔), many of us retreat indoors and leave our gardens to fend for themselves until spring. But here’s the thing: with a little care now, your garden can not only survive the winter, it can become a space you still enjoy through the colder months.

At Plan B, we believe your outdoor space should work for you year-round — whether that’s a place to sip a cosy hot chocolate, enjoy twinkling lights on crisp evenings, or simply admire from the warmth of indoors.

1. Protect Your Plants 🌱

Some plants are tougher than others. Delicate perennials and shrubs may need a little extra TLC:

• Add mulch around roots to keep soil insulated.

• Use fleece or covers for tender plants during frosty nights.

• Move potted plants to sheltered spots, ideally near walls for extra warmth.

Think of it as giving your plants a winter coat!

2. Clear Up & Cut Back 🍂

Nobody likes a soggy mess of leaves clogging up patios or lawns. Regularly sweeping up leaves keeps things tidy and prevents slippery surfaces. It’s also a good time to:

• Prune back shrubs and perennials. Always a good idea to leave some over winter though, for wildlife habitats and for some winter structure.

• Remove annuals that have finished their season.

• Give your lawn one last cut before the frost sets in.

  
  

3. Add Winter Interest 🌿✨

Winter doesn’t have to mean dull. Choose plants that shine in the colder months:

• Evergreens for structure and greenery.

• Winter-flowering shrubs like Viburnum or Mahonia, or the winter stems of Cornus.

• Grasses that sway beautifully, even in the frost.

With the right planting, your garden can look alive even on grey days.

4. Light It Up 💡

The shorter days don’t mean you can’t enjoy your space. Outdoor lighting can transform your garden into a magical backdrop for cosy evenings. Consider:

• Festoon lights strung across a pergola.

• Subtle spotlights highlighting feature trees or sculptures.

• Solar lanterns lining a path.

Plan B specialises in installing the beautiful and fully adaptable in-lite system.

5. Create Cosy Corners 🔥

A covered seating area, a firepit, or even an outdoor heater can make the garden inviting all year round. Imagine wrapping up in a blanket, hot drink in hand, watching the steam rise from the grass after a winter rain — bliss. At Plan B, we can install a range of pergola options that will extend your use of the garden into the Winter months.

6. Plan for Spring 🌸

Winter is actually the perfect time to plan ahead. Garden design, landscaping projects, and big transformations take time — so starting now means you’ll be ready to enjoy your dream garden as soon as the first warm days arrive.

✨ Final Thought

A garden shouldn’t just be a summer fling. With thoughtful design and a little maintenance, it can be a space that brings joy in every season.

At Plan B, we design gardens that are built to thrive all year round — whether that’s lush planting for winter interest, clever layouts that handle British weather, or outdoor living spaces you’ll actually want to use in December.

👉 Ready to make your garden work harder this winter? Let’s chat.