With the winter nights drawing in and the colder weather almost upon us, getting things done out in the garden might not be the first thing on your mind. Many people like spending time in the garden when the weather is nice, but it’s easy to forget about your outdoor space when it starts to rain, and the weather gets colder. If you can’t wait for spring and summer to roll around so that you can spend more time in your garden, then it might be worth thinking about if there is anything that you can do in your outdoor space this winter to prepare it for the warmer months ahead.
While jobs like painting might be out of the question due to a wet weather forecast, there are lots of things that you can do in your garden during the winter to spruce it up and make the wait for the warmer weather even more worth it.
Add a Patio Awning
A patio awning is a simple yet really effective addition that you can add to your outdoor space to provide more shade from the sun. And, with some types of awnings, you can get a lot of protection from the rain, meaning that it’ll be more enjoyable to sit out in your garden even before the warmer weather rolls around. Retractable awnings allow you to use the cover when needed and roll it back when it’s not, or you can get clear awnings that are fixed to your wall or roof and offer shelter and UV protection, while still allowing most of the light to get through in the summer so you don’t miss out. You can find out more about the different types of awnings on offer by searching for good awning companies. This local awning company has a great selection to choose from.
Buy New Garden Furniture
If you have decided that your current garden furniture is due for an upgrade and want to buy new, then there are lots of reasons to consider buying new garden furniture in the winter. Firstly, it’s easier as you don’t need it until the spring and summer, so you are not going to be impatiently waiting for it to be delivered while you miss out on somewhere nice to sit in the sun. It’s also much cheaper to buy garden furniture in the winter most of the time, as the demand is a lot lower – it’s just not at the forefront of most people’s minds. Many companies are clearing out their stock in time for new to arrive, so it is a good time to grab a bargain.
Plant New Plants
While spring and summer is often associated with the growing of new plants in the garden, there are lots of plants that are best put down in the winter in order for them to be their best during the spring season. So, if you miss spending time in your garden and want an excuse to go outside, then it might be a good idea to do some research into the best plants to plant in winter and get outside to do that. Even if it’s cold outdoors, when you’re busy, you might not notice it as much – and getting out in the brisk air can actually be good for your health.
Build Something New
Once you have a shelter set up in your garden like an awning, you can do much more out there in the winter. One common use for gardens is for building and DIY projects. If you have adequate protection from the elements, and like creating new things, then there are tons of things you can do in your garden this winter including building new furniture and accessories from old pallets or upcycling old pieces of wooden furniture with a new lick of paint. Or you might want to get busy building new things for the garden. If you are up to the task, you might want to consider building a new garden room or putting up a new garden shed for storage ready for summer. Alternatively, you can build your own garden furniture if you want to save as much money as possible when it comes to giving your outdoor space a fresh look for the spring.
Create Ambience
You can add items to your garden that create ambience at any time of the year. String lights and other types of garden solar lighting are a popular choice for doing this. You can simply add them to your fence or hang them from trees to light up your outdoor space all year round and transform the look and feel of your garden. This is an easy enough job to do in the winter to make sure that your garden is ready for the summer.
If you prefer a more homey, farm-like ambiance, why not raise some chickens? Not only will these domesticated poultry provide you with eggs, but they can also serve as a natural pest management system. They can aid in controlling pests like snails, grasshoppers, and crickets in the garden. They enjoy eating weeds and serve as post-harvest garden bed gleaners, helping you with your gardening. Be aware, though, that you’ll need a suitable enclosure for chickens so they don’t just roam free when you don’t want them to. Some sturdy poultry netting would be helpful in this case. For shelter during the winter, they also require a well-ventilated coop with adequate space and lighting so the birds can roost.
Add a Patio Heater
Adding a patio heater is another good job to do in the colder months, because you might get more use of it right now. Whether you are outdoors doing some gardening getting your plants ready for summer or you’re building some new furniture for your garden in the evenings, a patio heater can be a great way to stay warm and comfortable. It also makes it possible to hold outdoor gatherings on a dry winter night or sit outside in the garden with family on a fall evening without being freezing. Like garden furniture, however, the demand for patio heaters will often drop in the winter, so now is a great time to buy one if you want to get a bargain.
Many of us use our gardens a lot during the summer and forget about them during the colder months when going outside is no longer as pleasant. However, the fall and winter can provide you with some valuable time to make some upgrades in your garden, including adding new plants and investing in new garden furniture, to get it ready for the summer and give you something to look forward to in the warmer months.
