There is a common misconception that gardens don’t need to be maintained during the winter months. While the type of garden maintenance may differ, certain tasks must be carried out during the colder months.
Furthermore, given the relatively short winters that South Africa experiences, there is not really any downtime when it comes to garden maintenance in our climate.
A good time to clean
Winter garden maintenance could include the raking of leaves and the general cleaning of the garden.
Trees and shrubs can also be cleaned up by removing dead branches and foliage. Many plants and shrubs will also need pruning ahead of spring, and the last of the winter months is a good time to tackle that task, ensuring that they can reach their full potential come spring.
The quieter winter months can be used to completely rid your garden of weeds, an occurrence that doesn’t stop given the colder months. Weeds will be more visible on your lawn during the colder months, making their removal easier.
The drier winter months are a good time to maintain garden features and steel structures that might need painting. These could include pergolas, fencing, light fixtures, and seating.
Make sure your pots get enough sun
As plants will still require sun to survive, and the movement of the sun differs during winter months, indoor plants and outdoor potted plants should be relocated to ensure that they get enough rays.
Adjust your watering schedule
Too much water in winter can be a bad thing, but plants and lawns still require watering. Your watering schedule should be adjusted. Lawns will only need watering once a week and plants once or twice a month. It is also a good idea to water in the morning to allow the garden to dry out during the day and at night in order to prevent contributing to frost and ice build-up.
Protect fragile plants from frost and pests
Plants and fruit trees susceptible to frost damage can be protected by utilising wrapping or specially designed frost covering materials or bags. These materials will protect them from frost while still letting light and moisture through. Flower beds can be protected by a layer of mulch, which will help protect roots against the cold.
Certain plants are also susceptible to pests during the winter months and will need to be treated accordingly.
Planning for summer
Winter is a great time to plan and prepare your garden for summer. This may include a new layout or readying the garden for the main planting season.
The colder months are perfect for getting rid of unwanted plants or trees, as their regrowth will be limited during these months, resulting in a more effective removal. Relocating trees and plants such as rose bushes while they are dormant is also more effective during winter.
The winter months are ideal for planting certain fruit trees, rose bushes, and winter flowering annuals, so not all is lost. But be sure to do your research, as this is species-specific.
Tool maintenance
Winter is ideal for the maintenance of tools and equipment that is not as frequently used during these months. This includes the servicing of lawnmowers and weed eaters and the sharpening of pruning tools. Winter is also a great time to make repairs, relocate or expand irrigation systems.
A turnkey gardening and landscaping solution
Landscaping and keeping a garden in tip-top shape, especially on larger properties, requires a specific skill set and can be an all-year-round job. CSG offers a turn-key garden maintenance solution, where specially trained staff know how to care for gardens throughout the year, with correctly timed solutions for gardening needs across all seasons.
