Changeable Winter Advice
Living in Ireland we’re used to unpredictable weather, it’s cold and dry one day and wet and mild the next. Here are a few key tips to deal with these different weather conditions:
Garden Advice for a Wet & Mild Winter
- The mild weather means you can get out and about in the gardening without freezing your fingers off.
- Dig over any open ground you may have to prepare it for planting in spring, however you should try to avoid digging if there’s a heavy spell of rain forecast as this can damage your soil structure – keep an eye on the forecasts.
- Bare rooted trees, shrubs and hardy container trees can be planted during November.
Top Tip – If your garden does become water logged use a garden fork to pierce the grass, this will aid drainage.
![Wheelbarrow and pots. Image source: Paul Sloane from Pixabay](https://blog.countrylife.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Wheelbarrow-and-pots-Iamge-by-Paul-Sloane-from-Pixabay.jpg)
Garden Advice for a Cold & Dry Winter
- Dry, cold winds can damage delicate plants especially if they’ve only been planted this year, such as evergreens. Protect your delicate plants by wrapping with horticultural fleece.
- Try to avoid walking on frosted lawns and this will damage the grass underneath.
![Frosty footprint on grass. Image source: Unsplashed](https://blog.countrylife.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Frosty-footprint-on-grass-Image-by-Unsplashed.jpg)
And no matter what the weather you should always do the following during winter:
- Protect tender plants.
- Check all tree ties and stakes are secure.
- Mulch around all trees and shrubs before the winter weather hits.
- Protect pots from frost or use frost-proof pots.
![Biodegradable Bark Mulch. Image source: Flikr](https://blog.countrylife.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Biodegradable-Bark-Mulch-Image-by-Flikr-707x530.jpg)
Recommendations:
- Apply mulch to plants in the cold and dry weather to protect from frost
- Tender bulbs should be gently lifted and stored in a dry place during the cold weather
- Cardboard and newspaper can be used to protect shrubs from the frost
- Don’t forget to water your plants in the winter if it hasn’t been a particularly wet one
![Covering with fleece to protect from frost. Image source: RHS](https://blog.countrylife.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Covering-with-fleece-to-protect-from-frost-Image-by-RHS.jpg)
![](https://blog.countrylife.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Cover-plants-in-newspaper-to-protect-from-frost-Image-by-GAP-1.jpg)
We’re here to help
If you have any questions about gardening during the changeable winter weather talk to any of our horticulturists in store. We’d love to help.