Garden Rescue expert Lee Burkhill has shared his winter gardening advice, urging households to stop cutting plants backJess Phillips Assistant Showbiz/TV Editor and Sam Dimmer East Midlands Head of Brand
07:48, 29 Nov 2025
There are four things every gardener must do this winter(Image: Getty)
BBC Garden Rescue expert Lee Burkhill has a simple three-word tip for aspiring gardeners this winter – “leave the mess!”
The garden designer has shared his essential tasks for the upcoming end of 2025 and start of 2026 season, offering some cautionary advice for gardening enthusiasts in Britain.
The 42 year old advised gardeners to “embrace the changing seasons, stop cutting everything back. This trend is gaining hold and rightly so – as it’s far better for wildlife and gardeners’ backs.”
He further stated: “Self-seeders are your friends: allow plants like Verbena bonariensis, Eryngium, and Digitalis to self-seed through borders.
“This creates that spontaneous, wild look you can’t achieve by rigid planting.”
Lee continued: “I often use heavy self-seeders in my planting plans to boost wildlife and reduce weeding for clients.”, reports the Express.
“Also, embrace the changing seasons: stop cutting everything back in autumn.
“Leave seed heads, enjoy winter silhouettes, and only tidy in late winter/early spring. Gardens should evolve through seasons, not be static and this reduces maintenance too!”.
He also shared four tips on YouTube for gardeners this winter: plant bare-root trees, shrubs and roses; mulch borders with organic peat-free matter; prune deciduous trees and shrubs; and plant spring bulbs until December.
The expert advised: “If you’ve not got your daffodils, tulips, and alliums in yet, you’ve still got time in November and early December.
“It’s not too late, given the mild start to winter we’re having this year. Get them planted at three times their depth and you’ll have gorgeous spring colour.”
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