Even bought new seed starter trays with little grow lights in them, just a few more months and the cold will finally go away 👀

Wanting to do more Jalapenos/Cayennes, got garlic outside already, also wanting to do red and white strawberries and more depending on how much time I have

As the winter's chill sets in, how are you preparing your garden for the colder months ahead?

Please share your tips, here are some of mine I recently wrote about in my newsletter:

To Tidy or Not?

A clean-up can enhance your garden's appearance and prepare it for spring planting.

However, leaving some dried plants standing provides shelter for wildlife and adds winter beauty.

I think its generally best not to wait until spring to tidy up; some tasks can be done now to protect your garden from harsh conditions.

Winter Preparation Techniques

Clearing and Mulching:

• Remove soggy or diseased plants to prevent pest spread.
• Apply a thick layer of mulch (straw, bark chips) to insulate soil and retain moisture.

Soil Preparation:

• Aerate and amend soil with organic matter to improve drainage and fertility.

Understanding Hardiness Ratings

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) offers a helpful classification system that indicates how well plants can withstand cold temperatures:

• H1: These plants thrive outside in summer but require a heated greenhouse during winter. Examples include bedding plants and chillies.

• H2: Tolerant of low temperatures but not frost, these plants (like certain citrus varieties) should be overwintered in a cool or frost-free greenhouse.

• H3: Half-hardy plants are suitable for mild winters and sheltered spots, often benefitting from additional protection like fleece.

• H4: Hardy through most of the UK, these plants (such as lavenders) can suffer leaf damage during prolonged cold spells.

• H5: Truly hardy plants like Skimmia japonica can survive severe winters but may still need extra care in exposed or northern areas.

Specific Protection Strategies

• Dahlia Tubers: Lift and store before frost.
• Citrus Plants: Bring indoors to avoid frost damage.
• Tender Perennials: Wrap in horticultural fleece for added warmth.

Managing Microclimates

Identify microclimates in your garden. for example:

• Sunny Spots: Ideal for tender plants needing warmth.

• Shaded Areas: Perfect for moisture-loving plants.

• Sheltered Zones: Great for semi-tender varieties needing protection.

Ways To Support Local Wildlife

I think it's always a great idea to leave some plant material intact to provide shelter and food sources for birds and beneficial insects, enhancing biodiversity in your garden.

Let me know if you have others to add to the list!

I'm considering starting native wildflower "seed bombing" local verges, commons, etc. in our village. I think it would really improve the looks of the place (we're a bit of a tourist trap in summer, so it's even good for local businesses) and of course be good for local wildlife. The trouble is, some of the commons are grazed, sometimes quite heavily; mostly sheep, occasionally cattle or horses (horses usually only when Travelers are passing through). I want to know the following:

1. Are there any species I should absolutely avoid sowing because they're toxic to livestock? I intend to buy premade native seed mixes such as these (and then augmenting them with singular species; forget-me-nots are very pretty so I would like to see extra of them), but I will avoid buying any with species that it would be horrible if a sheep ate.
2. Are there any species that are not toxic, but are "animal resistant" so will be left alone more? In my own observations of local pastures, I see nettles and thistles do quite well (unless farmers spray them, of course). It makes sense; they'd be painful to eat unless you're specialized for prickles. I would assume teasel would be similarly avoided, though for some reason I don't see them as often (perhaps a soil type issue?). Any others that are just distasteful to sheep but not harmful?
3. Are there species that are particularly tasty, and would it be worth it to sow more of them (because the sheep like them and farmers might appreciate a "useful" wildflower more than one that's just pretty to look at) or are they likely to end up completely consumed and unable to establish? I know birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) is sometimes grown as forage; any others?

I'm a new-ish gardener looking for some advice on choosing the right holly tree for my front garden. I live in the South-East of England and have a sunny spot with clay soil.

Here's what I'm looking for:

• Tree-shaped: I want it to grow into a tree shape, not a bush.
• Compact size: Ideally, it shouldn't exceed 3 to 4 metres in height.
• Self-fertile: I'm a bit confused about this. Does a 'self-fertile' holly still need a male tree nearby to produce more berries?
• Good variety: Any suggestions? Some of the varieties I've looked at are 'Golden King', 'J C van Tol', 'Alaska', or 'Nellie R Stevens'?

Any tips or recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Hi gardening side of Reddit,

My husband and I lost a pregnancy this year, baby would have been due in February. We'd like to do something to mark the baby that we didn't get to meet, and have thought about planting something in the garden. We don't have loads of time for gardening, although we try to keep on top of it, but we have a toddler and our free time seems to vanish.

For obvious reasons, I'd really like whatever we plant to stay alive for many years to come. Would love some recommendations of plants to choose that are relatively easy to keep alive. Garden is South facing but we have quite a lot of hedges so we have a lot of shady spots too. Would love something that flowers each year if possible.

Hi there!

I'm looking for suggestions for an evergreen climber that produces flowers from around Oct to maybe Jam. Got a pergola put in recently and I'm wanting to have climbers on it to eventually provide shade.

The idea is to have one evergreen climber for each of the four pillars. Each plant should flower in a different season so that we can have year round flowers on our pergola. So far, we've got clematis for spring, sollya heterophylla for summer, and bastard senna for winter. Considering am autumn flowering camellia for autumn, but I'm not sure that they can do well as climbers on a pergola?

Anyone has any other suggestions or advice please? Thanks in advance!

r/DIYUK suggested that this is better question for this subreddit.

I've laid turf a few days ago and wanted to know whether there is anything I should be doing to give it the best chance to establish itself in cold weather (other than waiting and laying it in the spring)?

The temperature is due to drop further this weekend so wondered if there's something I could specifically do to help it along. I'm watering it in the middle of the day to try and avoid the coldest times. Other than avoiding walking on it for a good few weeks is there anything else I should do? It's not a huge patch, about 17m². Thanks.

We have a fairly new hedgerow around some of our property. Mostly Hawthorn, Hazel, Blackthorn, field maple, Dog rose.

I’ve had different advice on when and how much to cut it back to help thicken it.

Currently stands wispily at around 5ft in places.

I've 4 planters that are 15" wide, 30" long & 8" deep. I'm looking at adding interesting herbs, hopefully ones that are annual. We tend to cook itallian, Thai, Chinese & British recipes.

Currently have garlic, thyme, oregano, marjoram & rosemary. Any others that people would recommend?

Any odd/unusual or "must have" herbs I'm missing? Happy to find them space if they won't suit the planters too.