How to... prepare flower beds for winter
Put your borders to bed for the year. By Ann-Marie Powell
The bleached, bare shapes of herbaceous plants can be extremely attractive in winter, and will also provide a barrier to chilly winds. But, by now, many perennials look untidy. Here's how to tidy up your borders so roots hibernating below ground are best prepared to bounce back next spring.
Remove the dead stems from untidy perennials, including ornamental grasses, leaving those that still look good until spring.
Clear fallen leaves from flowerbeds and add them to your compost heap.
Weed your border thoroughly by hand. Gently fork over gaps between plants to relieve compacted soil.
Split herbaceous plants that have outgrown their space by digging up their roots, then chopping them into equal parts with a spade. Replant each section, adding bonemeal, and then water them in well.
Fill any gaps in your border with new plants or bulbs. Cover your border with a generous layer of bark chip mulch.
You might also like...
Post your comment
You must be registered on All About You to post comments. If you don't have an account, join now - it's free!
