Getting the garden ready for winter in Yorkshire is a labour of love for most.
There’s typically a lot to do, although it never really feels like a chore, especially if you start early once the warmer months are just coming to a close.
But, just in case you’re struggling with where to start, here is a seasonal checklist to get you going.
Repair and replace
Take a walk around your garden and make a note of everything that might need to be repaired or replaced.
Check your fencing, shed, greenhouse, gates and paths for storm damage, loose slabs, leaky roofs or wonky hinges.
If your fence has seen better days, it may be time to replace it rather than wait for it to come down in the next storm.
The average fence installation cost is around £110 to £120 per metre, but costs vary depending on the material and height of the fence, as well as the length.
The shed roof is another likely candidate for wear and tear so make sure it’s watertight for the coming winter.
If it leaks, it’s not just the roof you’ll need to replace but potentially the tools and equipment you have stored in the shed.
Protect your plants
When the weather starts getting cold and there’s a chance of frost, bring tender potted plants into the greenhouse to protect them.
Larger specimens can be wrapped in fleece and put in a sheltered position.
Next to a south-facing wall is best, to get the most from any reflected heat during the day.
Applying mulch around the roots of plants preserves moisture in warm weather but it also acts as an insulating material when the temperature drops.
As a result, roots are protected from any frost.
The beautiful dahlias and begonias that provide so much colour in summer are not hardy enough to survive the cold British winter.
The bulbs or tubers can be lifted, cleaned off and stored in a cool, dark place until spring when they can be replanted.
Plan ahead
When the summer comes to an end, it can seem as if the garden’s year is over.
But there’s always something to look forward to, not least of which is choosing what to grow next year.
A good habit is keeping the empty seed packets of flowers you’ve sown and going through them at the end of summer.
Based on your experience with them, you can decide what to grow again next year, perhaps avoiding what didn’t do well and even choosing a flower or plant you’ve never grown before.
Take stock
Gardening is not just about plants, soil, weather, and crops.
It’s about connecting with nature, getting close to the earth and enjoying the fruits of your efforts.
Every year brings its own challenges, rewards, and lessons.
So, look forward to the next season, think about what new things you will learn, and how you can apply the lessons of the past.
Above all, take time to enjoy the lull in activity, knowing that soon enough things will start bursting into life again and you’ll be busy trying to keep up.
