A gardening enthusiast has recently shared her “top winter gardening job” to help ensure healthy plants for spring. The winter weather can appear to wreak havoc on plants and nature, with many gardens looking sparse and barren as the cold takes hold.
Despite the unfavourable temperatures, some people still feel compelled to get out into their gardens and “tidy” them up, removing dead plants, raking leaves and more, but the gardener has urged people to swerve this step. In fact, she claims avoiding tidying is one of the best things “you can do for nature”.
Many people are keen to make the most of their gardens, turning whatever space they have into a serene oasis to escape the stresses of everyday life – though not everyone is blessed with green fingers.
Those eager to improve their gardening skills often turn to social media for guidance. On popular video sharing platform TikTok, there’s insight and tips from novices and experts alike, all eager to impart their knowledge and experience with the masses.
This is the case for Helen Hutchings Cox, who posts online as Helen Likes Plants, a content creator and gardener who’s passionate about nature and sustainability.
Her talent and dedication to the great outdoors has even seen her become elected to the board of trustees of the Royal Horticultural Society at just 31-years-old, making her “potentially the youngest ever appointment”.
She often shares content designed to help people grow their own food and flowers “in an easy and sustainable way”, keen to encourage people of all skill levels to try it out for themselves.
In a recent video, she shared the best way to care for a garden throughout the winter. In the footage, which was shared on TikTok, she filmed herself heading outside and began: “Come with me to tidy up the garden so it looks great over winter – I’m totally kidding, I don’t do that.”
Helen then continued: “The best thing you can do for nature over winter is to just leave your garden exactly as it is, don’t tidy it up.
“All the seed heads and dead plants provide vital food for the bugs and the birds and the other creatures in your garden, and the decaying plant matter feeds your soil.
“So go inside, stay warm and cosy up with a cup of tea and know that you are doing your bit for nature by doing so.”
In the caption accompanying the clip, she added: “My top winter gardening job!”
This proved to be welcome news for one commenter, who said: “How did you know I needed to hear this today?
“Was feeling totally guilty that everyone’s allotments are nice and tidy and mine has spent plants everywhere, lol”.
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