Winter-Proof Your Garden: How to Care for Your Lawn and Mower in Colder Months
When the days grow shorter and the temperature starts to dip, thoughts of trimming, tidying, and tinkering outdoors often drift to the bottom of the to-do list. Yet winter is precisely when your garden and equipment need a little extra attention. With the right preparation, you can protect your lawn, keep your tools in top condition, and ensure your lawn mowers are ready to glide into action once spring arrives.
Getting Your Lawn Ready for the Cold
A healthy lawn doesn’t happen by accident, and winter can be surprisingly tough on grass. Moisture, frost, and persistent shade all affect its condition, so it pays to give your lawn a helping hand before the cold truly sets in.
1. Give your lawn a final tidy
Before winter arrives in full force, clear fallen leaves and debris from your lawn. A thick layer of leaves may look picturesque, but it smothers the grass beneath, encouraging fungal growth and patchiness. A quick rake every few days can make a world of difference, allowing air and light to reach the grass.
2. The final cut matters
Many people store their lawn mowers away as soon as autumn begins, but giving your grass a final, slightly shorter cut can help it stay healthy through winter. Avoid cutting too short but trimming to a medium-low height reduces the risk of disease and makes spring regrowth far more even.
3. Improve drainage before frost
Winter soil often becomes compacted through heavy rain. To counter this, aerate your lawn using a fork or aerator. Simple, small holes allow air, water, and nutrients to circulate properly, preventing waterlogging. If you notice puddles that linger for days, top-dressing the lawn with a sandy mixture can gently improve drainage.
4. Feed for strength, not growth
In winter, the aim isn’t rapid growth but resilience. A slow-release autumn or winter lawn feed strengthens the roots and prepares the grass for colder temperatures. These formulas are lower in nitrogen and higher in potassium, helping your lawn stand strong against frost and disease without encouraging excessive growth.
Caring for Your Mower During Winter
Good garden care is about preserving the tools you rely on to keep everything in order. Your mower, whether electric or petrol, deserves a little winter pampering.
1. Give it a thorough clean
Before tucking your mower away, clean it well. Grass clippings left to harden underneath the deck can cause rust and impair performance next season. A firm brush and damp cloth will do the job for electric mowers, while petrol models may need a gentle hose down. Ensure everything is dry before storing.
2. Check and sharpen the blades
Dull blades tear grass rather than cutting it cleanly, leading to brown tips and vulnerability to disease. Winter is the perfect moment to remove the blade and have it sharpened, or replace it if it’s worn down. Come spring, your mower will cut smoothly rather than dragging its way through new growth.
3. For petrol mowers: give the engine some love
Petrol lawn mowers require a few extra steps. First, check your manual to see whether the manufacturer recommends draining the fuel tank for winter. Old petrol can thicken and clog the carburettor, making the mower hard to start when needed. Next, replace the air filter if it’s dirty, wipe the spark plug or fit a fresh one, and ensure cables, levers, and wheels are still moving freely.
Never leave your mower outside under a tarp. Instead, choose a dry, well-ventilated shed or garage. Elevating the mower slightly or placing it on a wooden board prevents moisture rising from the floor.
Winter Tasks That Keep Your Garden Looking Lovely
Although winter isn’t usually associated with bustling gardening activity, there are small, simple tasks that keep your outdoor space healthy, pleasant, and primed for the growing season. Indoor-outdoor continuity, thoughtful planting, and subtle detailing keep gardens elegant through every season.
1. Keep an eye on borders and beds
Winter winds can scatter mulch and debris into corners, so topping up beds can help retain moisture and protect roots from frost. A tidy border also helps deter pests who may seek shelter. If you have evergreen shrubs, a light prune can keep them looking neat and structurally sound.
Healthy soil is the foundation of a great garden. In winter, consider spreading compost over beds and leaving it to break down naturally. Worms will gradually incorporate it into the soil, improving its structure without the need for digging.
2. Give your tools a winter refresh
Winter is the season for organisation. Cleaning, sharpening, and oiling your tools ensures they stay rust-free and ready for action. A little care now saves time and prevents damage later on.
3. Protect vulnerable plants
Plants in pots are more susceptible to cold. Move them closer to sheltered walls, group them for shared warmth, or wrap them in fleece during very cold spells. If you grow tender plants, bring them indoors or into a greenhouse before the first hard frost.
A garden needn’t look bare in cold months. Evergreen grasses, winter-flowering heather, hellebores, and dogwood stems provide colour and texture even in midwinter. These touches make your garden feel alive and cared for, even when most plants are asleep.
Image credit: Red Stock photos by Vecteezy.
