Sort your winter garden in half an hour

If you've got a garden like mine, it probably looks like a right mess by now, unless your middle name is Titchmarsh. My garden's not big, but it's suffering from fallen leaves, over-grown mess & looks in a generally sorry state.

But, I'm no Charlie Dimmock, so I just needed some helpful tips on how to sort it out quickly. And, being as this is your ever-so-helpful guide, Busy Girl, I tracked it down & here it is...

Leaf it

Grab a bag & a big rake & get going Busy Girl - leaving leaves will make your grass patchy as the covered areas die off. So, get them off & away for a healthy lawn & save time re-seeding your lawn in the spring.

Clip, but don't get scissor happy

Grab your secateurs & stop before you chop... butterflies lay eggs on leaves, birds feed on seeds & berries & many animals use plants as cover so be careful & save some little beings.

What to chop

Clip back anything that looks like it's had a disease i.e. has black spots or is black & mushy - bag the bits with your trash. Easily-snapping twigs won't grow back, so get rid.

What to leave

Leave any plant you think looks nice without flowers (like grasses) - simply leave in what appeals to you.

Don't cut back winter plants like ferns & bushes.

When to cut back

Start about now (October). If plants are cut down too early, it can stimulate growth, use up energy reserves & keep the plant from coming back in the spring if a hard frost hits the tender new foliage.

How low should you go?

A good rule of thumb is two to three inches from the ground.

Ta Da!

Now you've got all your deadheads, stems & stalks, simply dump them in the green bin, sit back & relax. Look at those lovely ferns & bushes you've left...

Not got any ferns, bushes & winter plants?

Get down to the local garden centre & for around £20.00 you can get yourself a nice little selection to fill those blank spots.

Done.

Oh, don't forget to put the BBQ & your tools indoors - the rust look just doesn't work with evergreen!

Love from The Busy Girls Green Fingered Team! x