Winter-proof YOUR GARDEN

Don't let the big chill put your garden dreams on ice

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Whether it's pampering your plants through the cold months to ensure they're blooming in spring or creating a warm and toasty zen zone in a leafy nook, your efforts to create the perfect garden don't have to come to a halt at this time of year. Follow our tips for keeping your plants lush and getting maximum enjoyment from your outdoor space in winter.

RAISE THE TEMP

Live in a snowy area? Protect tender plants at night with a blanket! Lightweight is best, so it doesn't smother or break stems. Geotextile fleece, normally used in trenches to stop soil mixing with drainage and plumbing aggregates, is handy. Throw it over your plants in the evening and remove in the morning.

PROTECT CITRUS

Citrus plants don't like the cold, especially at the roots, which prefer a constant temperature. While they need mulch in summer to retain moisture, winter is the time to pull the mulch away in order to let the sun warm the soil. Expecting a frost? Soak the area around the plant with water to stop the ground getting too cold.