Jobs to do in a Winter Garden

Posted on 15/11/2011

You may think there’s not much to do over winter however you are quite wrong, the garden with its blanket of leaves and sleeping shrubbery still needs your care and attention, and if you’re hoping to get off to a stress free start in the spring, it’s a good idea to add a little organization to proceedings too.

Take a Good Look at the Garden Shed

The Garden shed, unless you’ve had the time to clean all tools after use, and store everything neatly, will probably be looking like a bomb’s hit it right about now. Do you have plant pots with splits in them scattered in a corner just in case? Or a shovel neatly tidied away and hanging neatly on a wall but caked in mud? Now is the time to organize your shed, you’ll be soon needing the space for storing your summer outdoor furniture too, so get busy!

Make Good Use of Space

Shelving in a garden shed is a priority, you’ll be amazed how may items you can fit on a shelf, and how much floor space it creates. The great aspect is you don’t have to be a DIY expert, as even shabby shelves will tidy up the weed killer, fertilizer and compost, leaving your shed floor clutter free.

Hook, Hook and Away!

Hooks in walls, roofs, ceilings, on the back of doors, or even just rusty old nails will keep all of your tools off the floor. You don’t have to be OCD and draw around every tool, (although you’re welcome to if you really want), but having a line of hedge trimmers, the rake, hoe and hanging spades by their handles, will not only make them much easier to find it will also ensure any moisture drips off too, minimizing the risk of rust over winter.

Buff it up!

Your tools could do with a clean now, and if they have mud or soil on them, it’s best to clear them of everything before storing. Keeping them dirty will attract rust and rot, making for a very expensive spring. Once hosed down, dry thoroughly, and then add a little lubricant such as linseed oil to act as a waterproof barrier keeping moisture in the air at bay.

Keep Sharp!

All tools could do with a good sharpening now, when the sun pops out and the frost begins to thaw in 2012 you will not want to waste the daylight sharpening up blunt tools. A sand block covered in glass paper is ideal for shears and loppers, whilst some glass paper will work great on fiddly smaller cutters such as secateurs. Make sure you lubricate all edges with a good lubricant, and also the joints, so they don’t seize up over winter.If you do find your tools are already rusty, all is not lost; there are a host of good products on the market that will bring your tools back to shining perfection with a little tender loving care.

Once all this is done then you are ready to start thinking about your garden plants for next year.