Spending time in our garden tends to be an activity reserved for the warmer months of the year. However, with more of us spending time at home at the moment and social distancing measures in place, there is plenty of potential to create an outdoor space that can be used all year long.
Here are some ideas on how to utilise your outdoor space during winter.
Make a cozy outdoor living space.
The garden can be an extension of your home, creating an outdoor living room makes sense for those who choose to socialise with friends outside in the midst of the pandemic.
Outdoor safe furniture, chairs, tables, waterproof sofas, even outdoor rugs can make all the difference when it comes to creating an inviting space. Hot tubs aren’t just for the summer, either- just make sure to have enough towels and dressing gowns to fight against the chill as you get out.
Consider building a pergola which can provide shelter against bad weather. Don’t forget to add fairy lights as a delicate finishing touch that will bring a delightful variation to dull winter nights.
Warm up the cockles with outdoor heating
The winter months are cold, so going outside may not be the most appealing way to spend time. Invest in some decent outdoor heating. Standing electric heaters are a popular choice, but how about a natural feeling firepit to keep you warm in the long evenings? Bake potatoes and make s’mores for a bit of added fun.
Give your garden a trim
The winter is the perfect time to trim back on the bushes and trees that need a little bit of attention to keep them thriving. You can trim your own bushes and shrubs, but you may need to call in the services of a local tree company to keep them in check. Winter is a notorious time for trees to become damaged by the weather, so an expert eye will be able to show you what’s what.
In addition, the best part of having wood trimmings is being able to use them for your DIY projects. Think flower beds and garden chairs made from the logs of your trees– truly unique furniture for your garden.
Attract local wildlife
Winter is a difficult time for wildlife as many of their food sources are frozen up from the cold. During the winter months, wild animals and insects make home on piles of leaves and logs, tree bark and compost heaps. While some animals hibernate or migrate in the winter, others don’t, so it’s important to try and protect them as much as possible when food can be in short supply. So now would be the time to use garden cuttings as a safe habitat for them. Make a ‘bug hotel’ with twigs and sticks, allowing moss to grow there as a safe haven for bugs. Leave plenty of nuts and seeds for birds and squirrels, too.
What is your favorite way of spending time outdoors in the winter? How do you prepare your garden for the winter months?
