Your Essential Cornwall Winter Garden Prep Checklist: Protect Your Investment & Get a Head Start on Spring

A sea of green! Rashleigh & Son transformed this space with their expert lawn installation. Check out those lines!

Blimey, where did the year go? The leaves on the sycamores are turning golden, and there’s a proper crispness in the air down here in Cornwall. As our gardens start to slow down, it’s the ultimate time to give them a bit of TLC before the winter properly sets in.

Here at ML Rashleigh & Son, we’ve spent decades tending to gardens across the Duchy. We know that a Cornish winter isn’t always about deep frosts; it’s about the driving rain, the salt-laden winds, and the damp that can sneak in. A little bit of work now can make a world of difference, protecting your hard work and ensuring your garden bursts into life next spring.

So, pull on your wellies, and let’s get stuck in with our straightforward winter garden prep checklist.

🍂 Tidy Up, But Not Too Much!

First things first, let’s have a tidy. Clear fallen leaves from your lawn, patios, and drains. A thick layer of leaves can block light, encourage mould, and lead to waterlogging (a common headache in our clay-heavy Cornish soil).

But here’s a tip from one gardener to another: don’t be too ruthless. Leave some areas a little wild. Seed heads on plants like sedums and sunflowers are a lifeline for goldfinches, and that pile of leaves in the corner makes a cosy hibernation spot for a hedgehog. A tidy garden is lovely, but a living one is even better.

Autumn cleanup in progress! Tom's hard at work keeping our hedges looking sharp and healthy.

🌱 Give Your Beds Some Attention

Your borders will thank you for a little autumn care.

• Cut back perennials that have gone over, but leave those with sturdy stems until spring.

• Weed thoroughly. Getting those weeds out now means far fewer to deal with when the spring sunshine arrives.

• Plant Spring Bulbs. It’s your last chance to pop in some tulip and daffodil bulbs for a cheerful spring display!

• A cosy mulch. A thick layer of compost or well-rotted manure spread over your beds acts like a warm blanket, protecting plant roots and enriching the soil. It’s like putting the duvet on the garden for its winter sleep.

Garden dreams do come true! ✨ Full raised beds bring color and abundance to this Cornish garden.

🌿 Show Your Lawn Some Love

Your lawn has worked hard this year. A bit of care now will ensure it greens up beautifully.

• Give it a final cut. As growth slows, raise the height of your mower blades for this last trim or two.

• Aerate it. Simply push a garden fork into the grass every 10-15cm and wiggle it back and forth. This helps relieve compaction and allows air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots, fighting back against that Cornish winter damp.

• An autumn feed. Use an autumn lawn feed that’s high in potassium to strengthen the grass against the cold months ahead.

Lawn care at its finest! This fresh cut is ready for the cooler months ahead. 🍂

🛠️ A Quick Check of Fences, Patios & Structures

We all know a Cornwall winter can bring a storm or two. A quick check now can prevent a costly repair later.

• Check your fences. Look for loose panels or posts and secure them. A stitch in time saves nine, as my old dad used to say.

• Clear patio drains and gutters. Ensure water can drain away freely to prevent ice damage and slippery surfaces.

• Give your patio a clean. Jet washing slippery algae off now is safer than trying to do it on a frosty morning.

• Store garden furniture. Give it a clean and pop it in the shed or garage, or invest in good covers. It’ll last years longer.

Outdoor upgrade complete! A fresh patio and fence combo that's both stylish and built to last.

While You're Tidyin' Up… Let's Talk About Next Spring.

Now, here’s a little secret from our years as local landscapers in Cornwall. While you’re out there, noticing the damp patch that never drains or the patio that’s looking a bit worse for wear, you might start dreaming of something more.

What if, instead of just maintaining your garden, you could transform it?

Winter is the perfect time for planning.

While the rain patters against the window, you can be curled up with a cuppa, dreaming of a new patio for summer barbecues, a sleek new driveway, or a lawn the kids can actually play on without turning into a mud bath. The quiet winter months are when we do our best design work with homeowners like you. By planning now, you can:

• Beat the Spring Rush. Get your project locked in for early 2025, avoiding the wait when everyone else is scrambling in April.

• Take Your Time. Make decisions without pressure, perfecting your plans for the garden of your dreams.

Let's Make 2025 Your Garden's Best Year Yet

Maybe that persistent waterlogged garden has been bothering you for years. Perhaps you’re tired of looking at a cracked and uneven patio. Or maybe you’re just ready for a change, a garden that works for your family, a true outdoor room.

If that sounds like you, we’d be chuffed to help.

Why not have a no-obligation chat with us this winter?

We can pop round for a friendly cuppa, listen to your ideas, and talk you through what’s possible. There’s no hard sell, just honest, expert advice from a family-run Cornish landscaper who cares deeply about creating beautiful, functional outdoor spaces for our community.

Think of it as the first, most important step in your garden’s next chapter.

Ready to stop dreaming and start planning?

Get in touch for your free, no-obligation spring landscaping consultation today.

Let’s build something beautiful together for 2025.

Happy gardening!

- Tom