Winter in the Garden

Preparing your garden for winter

As temperatures fall, plants and outdoor spaces face different conditions. With suitable winter garden protection, frost-sensitive plants can be given additional protection during cold spells. Bird tables and feeders provide a dedicated feeding place for garden birds, while anyone using a wood-burning stove, fireplace or suitable outdoor fire pit will also need somewhere practical to store firewood.

Our Winter in the Garden range brings these seasonal products together, making it easier to prepare your garden for autumn, frost and colder winter weather.

What do you need for your garden in winter?

The products you need depend on your garden and how you use it. If you grow frost-sensitive plants, winter plant protection is likely to be the priority. If you feed garden birds, a bird table or feeder provides a dedicated feeding point. If you regularly burn logs, suitable firewood storage helps keep them organised and protected from direct rainfall while allowing ventilation.

Plant frost protection covers

Plant frost protection covers are designed to give vulnerable plants additional protection during periods of cold weather. They are particularly convenient for individual plants where a cover can be placed over the plant or crown.

Plant protection covers are available in different sizes and designs. Before choosing a cover, measure the height and width of the plant and select a size that provides sufficient room without unnecessarily compressing branches and foliage.

Garden fleece & frost protection fleece

Garden fleece and frost protection fleece are flexible materials that can be placed around or over plants to provide additional protection during periods of low temperatures.

When choosing fleece, consider the dimensions, material and intended application of the specific product. If you need to protect a larger area or several plants, calculate how much material you require before ordering.

Jute winter protection

Jute winter protection can be used around plants, trunks or plant pots, depending on the product and application. Its natural appearance also makes jute an attractive option in gardens where the appearance of winter protection is important.

Depending on the plant and weather conditions, jute can also form part of a combination of protective measures. Always check the dimensions and intended application of the individual product.

Bird tables & feeders

A bird table or bird feeder provides a dedicated place to offer suitable food to garden birds. Bird feeding stations are particularly popular during the colder months and can also make it easier to observe visiting birds in your garden.

Position the feeder in a suitable location where it remains accessible for refilling and cleaning. The right design depends on the available space, whether you want to hang or position the feeder and the type of food you intend to provide.

Firewood & log storage

Firewood and log storage are particularly relevant during the colder months for households using suitable wood-burning stoves, fireplaces or outdoor fire pits. A purpose-designed log store helps keep firewood organised and protected from direct rainfall.

Ventilation is important when storing firewood. Air circulation around the logs helps moisture escape. Firewood containing moisture should therefore not simply be stored for long periods in a completely enclosed, poorly ventilated space.

Which plants need winter protection?

Not every plant requires the same level of winter protection. Frost tolerance varies between plant species and is also influenced by location, temperature, wind, moisture and the duration of a cold spell.

Plants grown in pots can also respond differently to freezing conditions from similar plants growing in the ground, as the root ball inside a container can be more exposed to low outside temperatures.

Check the hardiness and care requirements of the individual plant before deciding which type of winter protection is appropriate.

Plant cover, garden fleece, frost fleece or jute: which should you choose?

Different types of frost protection for plants have different applications.

• Plant frost protection cover: convenient for covering individual plants or plant crowns
• Garden fleece: a flexible option for use around a variety of plants and garden areas
• Frost protection fleece: designed to provide additional protection for vulnerable plants during cold and frosty periods
• Jute: suitable for a range of protective applications and provides a natural appearance

Always check the specifications of the individual product. Material weight, dimensions, breathability and intended use can vary between products.

When should you protect plants from frost?

Prepare frost-sensitive plants before a period of potentially damaging cold weather is expected. For vulnerable plants, it is better to have suitable protection ready rather than waiting until a prolonged frost has already begun.

This does not necessarily mean that every plant covering should remain tightly closed around a plant throughout the entire winter. Depending on the material, plant and weather, ventilation and moisture management can be important. Follow the instructions for the protection material and consider the care requirements of the plant.

How-to: how to protect plants from frost

A few basic steps can help you prepare vulnerable plants for colder weather.

1. Identify plants that may need protection. Check the hardiness of each plant and consider its location.
2. Monitor the weather forecast. Apply suitable protection before potentially damaging low temperatures are expected.
3. Choose the appropriate material. Depending on the plant and application, use a frost protection cover, garden fleece, frost protection fleece or jute.
4. Measure the plant. Make sure the protection material is large enough for the plant or area you need to cover.
5. Apply the protection carefully. Avoid unnecessarily damaging branches, stems or foliage.
6. Secure the material appropriately. Prevent it from being easily displaced by wind without constricting the plant.
7. Check plants regularly. Monitor moisture, ventilation, changing weather conditions and the condition of the plant.
8. Adjust or remove protection when appropriate. Adapt the protection to changing weather and the requirements of the plant.

How do you protect plants in pots from frost?

With container plants, it is important to consider the roots as well as the parts of the plant above ground. The root ball inside a pot can be vulnerable to prolonged cold conditions.

Depending on the plant and conditions, consider moving the container to a more sheltered position and using suitable protection around the pot or plant. Ensure that water can still drain appropriately and avoid prolonged waterlogging.

How to make your garden winter-ready

Preparing your garden for winter involves more than protecting plants. Check loose items in the garden, store vulnerable materials where appropriate and inspect outdoor structures before periods of strong wind, heavy rain or frost.

Autumn is also a useful time to check that gutters, drainage and outdoor storage areas are clear and ready for wetter winter conditions.

Feeding garden birds in winter

A bird table or bird feeder provides a dedicated place for suitable bird food. Choose a position where the feeder is accessible for topping up and cleaning and consider the surrounding area when selecting its location.

Clean feeders regularly and remove old or contaminated food. The most suitable bird food depends on the species you want to attract and the type of feeding station being used.

How should you store firewood outside?

Firewood is best stored with good ventilation and protection from direct rainfall. A suitable log store can provide weather protection while allowing air to circulate around the logs.

A completely enclosed storage area with inadequate ventilation is generally less suitable for logs that still contain moisture. When choosing outdoor log storage, consider both its capacity and its ability to provide ventilation and protection from the weather.

Winter garden products from Intergard

At Intergard you will find a range of products to help prepare your garden and outdoor space for the colder months. Choose from plant frost protection covers, garden fleece and frost protection fleece, jute winter protection, bird tables and feeders, firewood and log storage.

Select the relevant subcategory to compare products according to their material, dimensions and intended application.

Frequently asked questions about winter in the garden

How do I prepare my garden for winter?

Start by identifying frost-sensitive plants and protecting them when necessary before cold weather arrives. Also check outdoor structures and garden items and prepare bird feeding stations and firewood storage if required.

When should I cover plants to protect them from frost?

Protect vulnerable plants before potentially damaging low temperatures are expected. The exact timing depends on the plant species, its location and the weather conditions.

Which is better: a plant protection cover or frost fleece?

It depends on the plant and the application. A protection cover is convenient for individual plants, while frost fleece can be used flexibly over or around different plants.

Can I use jute to protect plants in winter?

Yes, jute can be used as winter protection around certain plants, trunks and containers. Whether jute alone provides sufficient protection depends on the plant and weather conditions.

Should winter protection stay on plants all winter?

Not necessarily. Appropriate use depends on the plant, weather and protection material. Check plants regularly and consider ventilation and moisture conditions.

How do I protect potted plants from frost?

Where necessary, protect both the plant and its root area and consider moving the pot to a suitable sheltered position. The measures required depend on the plant and weather conditions.

Where should I put a bird table or feeder?

Choose a suitable location where the feeding station remains accessible for refilling and cleaning. Also consider the surrounding environment when selecting the position.

How often should I clean a bird feeder?

Clean bird feeders regularly and remove old or contaminated food. The frequency required will depend partly on use and weather conditions.

How should I store logs outdoors?

Store firewood with good ventilation and protection from direct rainfall. A suitable log store helps keep firewood organised while allowing air to circulate.

What winter protection do my plants need?

That depends on the plant, its location and the expected winter conditions. Plant covers are convenient for individual plants, fleece offers flexible protection and jute can be used for various winter protection applications.