Wintering OVER

The 10 best things you can do for your garden and plants this winter

- Mary Lovell-Smith

1 THINK SMART

Take stock of where your garden is, its climate and geography, and act accordingly. In regions with dry summers, you may want to consider building a water tank or at least installing a rainwater butt. In areas with a high-water table, think about getting in plants that absorb water and help prevent flooding. In areas with high precipitation, rain gardens and swales (grass channel for stormwater run-off) deserve to be on your radar.

In colder zones, lengthen the growing season with raised beds, which warm up earlier and faster than the ground. Gardeners on steep terrain can fight erosion using plants with especially efficient soil-binding roots. Sustainably speaking, the ideal is to garden in sync with nature, nudging it gently your way, while minimalising any negative impacts on the environment.

2 DREAM LONG

Long evenings and cosy days out of the elements provide plenty of time to reflect on your garden; on what worked and what didn't; on how you'd like it to be - and why it wasn't. It may be time to plan a new look or learn a new technique; find out more about the plants you love to grow. There is time to become inspired by other people's gardens via books, magazines, TV shows or online videos.

3 LOVE THY SOIL 

Soil can get tired, exhausted even, especially in highly productive areas such as the vegetable patch or ornamental beds. While fertiliser will pep plants up, it's better to give them rich, healthy soil. Adding compost can be expensive if you need to buy it in.