10 top tips to keep your frosty garden growing until Spring 2024

IT’S finally here. Frost has hit and temperatures are dropping fast. 

But while it might look like it’s gone into hibernation, your outside space is actually busy doing some very important jobs and shouldn’t be ignored.

Bulbs are quietly working away at creating a deeper root system, as the cold temperature brings on chemical changes that prepare them for Spring growth.

Clever perennial plants know it's time to go dormant - to stop growing and conserve energy - but under the surface their roots are also digging deeper.

Some conifers keep on growing during the winter months, and evergreens provide a winter oasis for wildlife.

So to give your outside space a helping hand while all this secret underground science is taking place, there’s a few tasks you can do now to make sure that when Spring comes, it’s ready to grow forth and multiply again. 

MOVE AND WRAP

It's best to put pots on stands or remove any saucers they’re standing in  - no one likes a freezing bottom. 

And you can even give them a cosy coat of bubblewrap for insulation.

Move them to more sheltered spots, and bring the most tender plants inside. 

COSY COATS

Another way to protect your plants is with garden fleece.

I just cut my two towering banana plants right back and wrapped them up, securing with twine - to prevent a similar catastrophe to last year when an unexpected hard frost turned them, along with my two favourite Cordylines, to absolute mush.  

CUT BACKS

Perennials need to be cut back - last week I was happily chopping back my Gaura and Crocosmia - which probably should have been done earlier, but with no serious frost until this week, I figured it didn’t really matter.

And cut back any plants where leaves are trailing on the ground turning slimy. 

MULCH IT

Mulching is one of the most important jobs right now - which keeps the earth moist, prevents annoying weeds and generally improves the soil structure - breaking down over time to provide nutrients.

Biodegradable mulches include well rotted manure, wood chippings, garden compost and leafmould, but you can also use colourful gravels and pebbles.

The best depth is around 2-4 inches - like a deep nourishing duvet. Dreamy. 

CLEAN AND TIDY

It's a good time to  tidy up your greenhouse. You can, if you’re planning on overwintering seeds, insulate it  - a top tip is to simply use bubblewrap and pegs - budget but effective.

And while you’re at it, have a clean of your tools - there’s all sorts of guides online. 

PRUNE

Its also time to hard prune hedges and bushes while they’re dormant,  and cut back climbing roses. 

FEED THE BIRDS

And finally, hang some bird feeders around, so our feathered friends also have a belly full over the festive season. 

COLD SNAP

Now its officially December it’s perfectly ok to mention the John Lewis ‘Snapper’ Ad - and what a surprise it was for the whole horticultural industry!

Who’d have thought a carniverous plant would feature in a heartwarming Christmas commercial.

Sales have spiked by 2,000 per cent so if you’re lucky enough to find one under your tree, here’s some facts worth knowing.