Preparing Your Garden and Home for Winter

Checklist: Preparing Your Garden and Home for Winter

Trees and Hedges: Pruning for Healthy Growth

Autumn is the ideal time to prune hedges, fruit trees and shrubs. This promotes healthy growth and strengthens the plants for the next gardening season. With hedge trimmers and pole pruners, cutting is effortless – even for thicker branches or those at greater heights. The resulting clippings can be shredded and used as valuable compost – perfect for sustainable gardening and healthy plants.

More Tips on Tree and Hedge Pruning

Lawns and Plants: Preparing Your Garden for the Cold Season

In autumn, your lawn deserves some extra care: give it one last mow, scarify it to improve aeration and remove any weeds. Afterwards, apply an autumn fertiliser – the essential nutrients will strengthen the grass for its dormant period over winter. Use a leaf blower or vacuum to clear fallen leaves from the lawn, preventing mould and allowing the grass to breathe even during the colder months. This ensures your lawn will return in lush green when spring arrives. Potted plants need protection from frost or a sheltered winter location. Perennials and hardy spring flowers can still be planted now and should be well watered to ensure strong growth in spring.

More Gardening Tips: Caring for Lawns and Plants Properly

Terrace, Courtyard, Balcony: Clean and Ready for Winter

Before winter sets in, leaves, debris and dirt should be cleared from terraces, balconies and courtyards. Using a pressure washer, sweeper or other cleaning equipment, you can restore your outdoor areas to a spotless condition. Late autumn is also the perfect time to clear gutters of leaves, ensuring that rain and meltwater can drain away freely. After the barbecue season, give your grill a thorough clean and store it safely to protect it from cold and moisture. This way, your outdoor areas will be well prepared for winter and ready for the colder months.

More Tips on Cleaning Tasks Around the Home

Indoor Tasks: Getting Your Home Ready for Winter

It’s also worth preparing your home for the colder season with a bit of autumn cleaning. Give your wood-burning stove a thorough clean to ensure it heats efficiently and operates safely. Radiators should be dusted so they can distribute warmth effectively. With a window vacuum cleaner, you can make your windows sparkle – giving you a clear view even during the darker months of the year.

Learn more: Tips for Cleaning and Maintenance

Water and Frost: Protecting Devices and Pipes

As soon as the first frosty nights arrive, you should make all water-carrying devices and pipes frost-proof. Turn off outdoor taps (unless they are frost-resistant), store garden pumps in a dry, frost-free place and remove submersible pumps from the water. After thorough cleaning and draining any residual water, keep them in a frost-free environment. Rain barrels and pools should also be prepared for winter now: drain the water, clean them thoroughly and store them safely. This way, your water systems will withstand the cold with ease and be ready for use again in spring.

More Tips on Pumps and Water Technology