Winter gardening tips, with Dobbies Garden Centres

Garden centre unveils what you can do in your garden this winter

As temperatures begin to drop and the darker nights draw in, it’s time to start thinking about how best to look after your garden through the colder months. Dobbies Garden Centres is helping gardeners across the UK prepare for the season ahead, sharing advice on how to protect plants from frost, embrace sustainable practices, and get ready for a thriving 2026.

Whether you’re looking after a compact balcony display, a colourful patio, or a large garden filled with perennials, Dobbies’ Plant Buyer, Nigel Lawton, says there are plenty of ways to make the most of winter in your outdoor space.

Read on for Nigel’s top tips on winter gardening, from protecting delicate plants to adding instant colour and supporting wildlife.

Tidy up

Nigel says one of the most important jobs you can do in your garden during winter is keeping things tidy. Regularly raking dead leaves from your lawn will prevent diseases from spreading and help you bulk out your compost at this time of year. Keeping your lawn free from debris also allows access to air and sunlight.

“If the weather allows, you can still mow your lawn, but avoid walking on it when it’s frosty, as this can damage the blades of grass and leave yellow footprint marks”, comments Nigel.

Nigel also notes that winter is the perfect time to clean up your greenhouse and get it ready for spring planting. “Wash greenhouse glass and benches with disinfectant to kill any overwintering pests and diseases,” he advises. “You can also use this time to start internal projects like seed sowing on windowsills or in heated greenhouses and conservatories.”

For those with vegetable gardens, Nigel suggests using dry, frosty conditions for winter digging. “Turning over vegetable plots can help break down heavy soils making them easier to work in spring. It also exposes over-wintering pests to wildlife and the elements,” he says.

Protect plants

According to Nigel, protecting your plants from frost and winter storms should be a top priority this season. “As we head into winter, focus on securing larger plants, shrubs and climbers,” he says. “Check tree stakes and straps to make sure they’re still in place and providing proper support, especially after strong winds.”

When colder weather sets in, Nigel advises using frost protection fleece to shield young and delicate plants from snow and ice. “Evergreens can be susceptible to wind damage, so make sure they’re well supported and protected,” he adds. “Move pots close to the house to benefit from the warmth of the wall and raise containers off the ground to prevent frost damage and improve drainage.”

For more exotic or tropical varieties, Nigel recommends taking extra care. “Cordylines will benefit from a layer of frost protection fleece while more tender plants such as citrus and cannas should be brought indoors into conservatories until the risk of frost has passed.”

He also notes that mulching flower beds with peat-free compost or bark helps protect roots from frost and keeps weeds at bay throughout the winter.

To avoid container plants getting waterlogged during heavy rainfall, Nigel says you should raise these up on pot feet now to promote drainage.

Prune plants

Winter is an important time for pruning, and Nigel says it’s crucial to know what should and shouldn’t be cut back. He says: “Now is a great time to prune selected fruit trees as this encourages healthy growth and increases fruit production, however avoid pruning stone fruits such as plum trees when they are not in leaf as they’re more prone to disease at this time of year.”

Nigel also recommends pruning ornamental trees while they’re dormant to maintain shape and make any major structural changes. “For shrubby plants such as roses and buddleia, prune by half in winter to protect them from wind-rock and then give them a final prune in spring to encourage strong new growth next summer,” he adds.

However, Nigel cautions against pruning early flowering varieties such as forsythia, lilac and flowering currants, which all bloom on the previous year’s growth.

Instant winter colour

Refreshing your containers and hanging baskets is an easy way to bring instant colour and texture to your garden through winter. Nigel suggests hardy varieties that will thrive in colder temperatures. “Pansies and violas are great choices for cheerful colour, and winter shrubs like sarcococca, also known as Christmas box, add wonderful scent and structure,” he says.

“Plants such as skimmia, hellebores and dwarf conifers will create a striking display, while leucothoe and nandina help frame doorways beautifully,” Nigel adds.

“At Dobbies, we’ll also have pot-grown spring-flowering bulbs such as narcissus, hyacinths and snowdrops in stores by Christmas, so if you missed autumn planting, it’s not too late to plant bulbs in December or January for a spring show.”

Sustainability and water storage

When it comes to sustainable gardening, Nigel says winter is an ideal time to focus on water conservation. “Continue harvesting rainwater through the colder months using water butts connected to sheds, greenhouses or garages,” he explains. “This will provide an eco-friendly water source for the warm seasons ahead, and rainwater is better for your plants because it’s naturally soft and nutrient-rich.”

He also highlights the benefits of winter irrigation systems and eco-friendly gardening products that help reduce waste and make garden care more efficient.

Final tips

For those new to gardening, Nigel says there are plenty of rewarding ways to enjoy your outdoor space in winter. “Feed wildlife regularly and make sure birds have access to food and fresh water,” he suggests. “It’s also a lovely time to harvest foliage and evergreens for Christmas wreaths and festive decorations - a simple way to bring a touch of your garden indoors.”

To give your garden a festive boost, Nigel recommends seasonal favourites such as helleborus niger (Christmas rose), sarcococca for fragrance, and hamamelis japonica for winter interest. “These plants will keep your garden looking beautiful right through the colder months and into early spring,” he says.

For more seasonal gardening advice and inspiration visit www.dobbies.com