Preparing for the winter wind and rain.

[ColeyS1]

I've been busy busy busy this year getting the garden ready for summer. It's just occurred to me after being awake since 3 o clock that I haven't got anything ready for when the howling winds arrive.
What winter rituals do other people have ? I've got a few delicate shrubs in pots that could do with moving to a greenhouse (which I haven't made yet). I could also do with sorting out the guttering that doesn't seem to have enough fall and spills out everywhere. I'm also wondering if a tarpaulin over the newly made bench might be an idea, or whether if its left to the elements, atleast it'll get chance to dry out ?
The weather today certainly feels like summers over !
Cheers

Coley

 

[Terry - Somerset]

I think you need to be an enthusiastic gardener to get it ready for anything. The solution I have adopted is to ensure that:

- planting is mostly evergreen shrubs which require pruning once a year (if that)
- all outdoor furniture weather resistant or replaceable (not plastic!!)
- raised beds around patio for annuals/colour

This largely limits seasonal maintenance to cut grass, jet wash patio/paths, plant annuals, pull out dead annuals.

Terry

 

[woodpig]

It was supposed to be very wet here this weekend so I cleared the gutters out on Thursday. It has been windy but not that wet. Still, it was a job that needed doing as a couple of down pipes were blocked. Delicate plants get put under cover a bit later in the year but that's not my department!