5 Surprising Winter Mistakes That Ruin Your Garden

Don’t hang up your gardening gloves just yet — despite the chilly weather setting in, there are still some important tasks to tackle now to avoid problems when spring arrives. Below, we reveal the most common winter gardening mistakes and how to make sure your outdoor space bounces back lush and vibrant in the spring.

Mistake #1: Leaving pots in frost-prone spots a pot of purple flowers covered with frost, with greenery in the background Getty Images / sanddebeautheil

Move your pots to a covered area to prevent frost from forming on them like this

Potted plants bring instant charm to patios and decked spaces, yet they’re also highly vulnerable during the winter months.

‘When that first hard frost hits, the compost freezes solid, and roots can’t cope,’ says Neil Thomas, garden expert and owner of FirePit. ‘This can cause you to lose an entire plant overnight.’

To avoid losing the blooms you’ve worked hard to cultivate, simply move pots against a wall for a bit of shelter, raise them slightly so water can drain away, and wrap delicate ones in fleece. ‘Shifting things around now will save you from having to replace cracked pots and dead plants in spring,’ Neil adds.

Mistake #2: Forgetting to water evergreens

When it’s so cold outside, stepping out to water the plants is probably the last thing on your mind – but shrubs like bay, box, and holly don’t switch off for winter.

Neil explains, ‘Evergreens still lose moisture even when it’s cold – and if the soil dries out and then freezes, the roots can’t take up anything at all.’

On milder days, give your plants a small drink to stop the soil drying out before the next freeze. Just be careful not to soak the ground, as excess moisture can freeze around the roots and damage them.

Mistake #3: Wrapping lights too tightly around branches a tree trunk with fairy lights wrapped around it, with colourful lights in the background Getty Images / Olga Yastremska

Instead of wrapping lights tightly, drape them loosely to protect trunks and branches

Whether you prefer warm hues or brightly coloured bulbs, outdoor fairy lights make a lovely Christmas decorating idea. They can cause problems for your greenery if you wrap them too tightly, though.

‘People wind lights around branches without thinking about what frost or wind will do,’ Neil says. ‘When wires tighten, they rub and cut into the bark. It’s only when spring arrives that you see the damage.’

Instead, gently drape the lights over the branches, allowing them to rest naturally without pulling or pinching. Be sure to take them down soon after Christmas, too. This not only keeps the tree looking its best, but also prevents any accidental pruning of the lights!

Mistake #4: Walking on frozen or waterlogged lawns

Crunching over a frosty lawn and making footprints in the snow might feel satisfying, but it’s actually one of the fastest ways to ruin your grass for the year ahead.

‘Frozen grass blades snap, and once the crown of the plant is damaged, you’ll get dead patches that take ages to recover,’ Neil says. ‘The same goes for waterlogged ground – one walk across a soggy patch can leave a muddy dip that weeds love.’

The best thing you can do is simply avoid stepping on the grass when it’s frozen or soaked, and stick to paths until the lawn has properly thawed or dried out. If snow lands, save your snowmen and snowball fights for paved areas and patios instead.

Mistake #5: Ignoring the build-up of leaves a green raking up a pile of brown leaves on green grass Getty Images / Catherine Falls Commercial

Pile up leaves to create a free compost to enrich your plants with

Winter is when many gardeners ease off on tidying up, but it’s also the time when fallen leaves can cause the most problems.

‘Wet leaves sitting on borders invite diseases, and they’re a cosy winter home for slugs – and by the time spring arrives, you’ll wonder why everything looks a bit sad and chewed,’ Neil tells us.

A quick weekly sweep makes all the difference. If you have the space, it’s also worth piling up the leaves, as they can be turned into leaf mould. This low-effort, free soil conditioner is brilliant for mulching and improving soil structure.

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