Winter Gardening: What to Do and Plant

Winter is not a pause for the garden. It is a useful season for protecting established plants, planting when the soil is workable and choosing structure, stems, foliage and winter flowers that keep a garden interesting. Conditions vary, so use the weather, your soil and each plant’s hardiness as your guide.

A winter garden checklist

Check drainage, stakes and ties, stored tender plants and winter protection. Clean pots and tools, avoid walking on frozen or waterlogged soil, keep bird food and water clean, and use this quieter period to plan for spring.

What to plant in winter

Dormant-season planting can suit bare-root deciduous trees, hedging and roses, as well as suitable container-grown trees and shrubs. Plant only when the soil is workable rather than frozen or waterlogged, and always check mature size, soil, drainage and exposure before choosing.

Protect plants from frost, wind and wet

Group and shelter containers where appropriate, keep drainage holes clear, protect vulnerable roots in severe weather and re-firm plants lifted by frost. Choose plant-specific protection rather than relying on a fixed calendar date.

Winter pruning: what to do—and what to leave

Winter pruning is plant-specific. Some dormant work, including selected apples and pears, can be useful, but evergreens, tender plants, Prunus and hydrangeas have different timings. Check individual plant guidance before pruning, and use a qualified professional for unsafe or large-tree work.

Explore the winter garden

• Plants for Winter Interest
• Winter Bedding Plants
• Winter Containers: Plants and Ideas
• Garden Wildlife in Winter

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