‘I’m a garden expert – you should do these 4 things in October to prevent winter damage’

As temperatures begin to drop and the days get shorter, an expert has warned Brits to act now to avoid damage to their outdoor spaces. Homeowners are being urged to take simple steps in October to protect gardens from the worst of the winter weather, and avoid costly repairs or replacements in spring.

Kim Faura, consumer and garden expert at Gumtree, told the Express: “By taking small preventative measures, you can prolong the life of outdoor furniture, plants and patios, to ensure a healthy and productive garden when spring returns. This can create extra costs and hard work, but there are clever ways to prepare, and save both time and money without compromising the care of your outdoor space.”

Below Kim shares his top four tips for protecting your garden before the cold weather sets in.

Kim said: “It’s important to protect outdoor essentials by putting them in storage over winter. It keeps tools and accessories dry and mould-free, protects furniture from the frost, snow and heavy rain, and also reduces clutter to help keep your garden tidy.”

He suggested using storage boxes or sheds for the best protection with minimal effort.

“Ideally, furniture and bigger equipment like BBQs and lawnmowers should be placed in a larger shed that’s well-ventilated. This allows trapped moisture to escape to prevent mould and pest damage,” he said.

“For smaller items like nails, garden pins, and screws, I recommend using old mason jars, as damage from rust can ruin the function of these items.”

He added: “Before putting your garden tools and equipment like garden hoses into storage options, it is essential to clean and drain them. This prevents the spread of dirt and freezing damage.”

Kim said this simple step could save people from having to buy everything again when spring arrives.

For items that are too large to store, covers are the next best thing.

“If any of your garden furniture is too large to fit into storage, furniture covers are essential as they prevent fading from winter sun, extend the lifespan, and shield them against harsh weather conditions,” Kim explained.

“It’s important to shop around and check the different sizing options so you can ensure your cover can fit your table, chairs, or even a full lounge set.”

Kim also urged people to give their plants and flower beds some attention before the cold weather arrives.

“In October, you can clear out dead plants and leaves to tidy the bed and prevent them from harnessing pests and fungal growth that can spread to others,” he said.

“You can also cut back hedges and trees and mow the lawn to keep it tidy for winter and prepare the soil for planting once winter’s over, by replenishing the soil with compost.”

And if you don’t want to do it yourself, there are plenty of options.

“If you don’t have a green thumb or the skills or time to get stuck into the soil yourself but want to make sure your outdoor space is in top shape, you can hire a gardener to take care of it,” he said.

Kim also recommended getting rid of things you don’t use to free up space and avoid damage.

“Consider how much you’ve used your garden furniture and equipment over the summer, and whether you need all of it,” he said.

“If you haven’t used a piece often, you could consider selling on platforms such as Gumtree. 

“This is the best time to sell these items to prevent them getting damaged during winter and allows extra space for other items in your storage solutions.”