Garden smarter this winter with Wilkinson Sword
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Read Time: 3 mins
As gardens settle into their seasonal rest, early winter is the moment for gardeners to roll up their sleeves and get things in order – cutting back, clearing up and taking care of the tools that make it all happen. It’s a time to tidy the season’s work, reflect on what’s grown well and prepare the ground for another year of thriving plants.
With craftsmanship rooted in over a century of expertise, Wilkinson Sword is the brand gardeners trust to get the job done – combining precision, comfort and durability with a commitment to sustainability through its 10 year guarantee.
As colder weather sets in, Wilkinson Sword shares its expert advice on the essential jobs that help every garden, and gardener, get ready for winter.
Prune with care
Tackle damaged or crossing branches on deciduous shrubs and trees while plants are dormant. It’s also the perfect time to prune fruit trees and bushes to encourage strong growth and better fruiting next year. The Aluminium Bypass Pruners give a clean, precise cut that helps protect plant health and makes light work of winter pruning. If you spot any dead or weak stems, remove them now to reduce the risk of disease and keep plants healthy through the colder months.
Clear fallen leaves
Although the first leaves may have fallen weeks ago, many gardens still see plenty lingering on lawns and borders. Regular raking keeps the garden tidy and prevents fallen foliage from smothering lawns and young plants.
A thick layer of leaves can block light from reaching the grass, causing yellow patches and encouraging fungal problems. Use a Carbon Steel Lawn Rake for strength and reach, helping soil and grass breathe through winter.
Clear leaves from patios and paths where they can become slippery but let them rot naturally between established shrubs and trees – they'll create valuable leaf mould that enriches the soil. Collected leaves are also a perfect compost ingredient – mix them with old plant waste using a Stainless Steel Hand Trowel to create nutrient rich compost for the next year.
Prepare and protect beds
Turn over soil, add compost and remove weeds before the ground becomes too hard to work. The Stainless Steel Border Fork is ideal for loosening compacted soil and aerating borders without disturbing plant roots.
Take the opportunity to raise pots and containers off the ground to prevent frost damage and wrap hessian or fleece around exposed pots to protect roots from freezing temperatures. If your greenhouse is in use, move tender plants such as fuchsias, geraniums and non-hardy herbs inside before the first cold snap.
Now is also a good time to repair fences, trellises and supports while the foliage is down – it’s far easier to spot damage and make fixes before next spring’s growth.
Look after your tools
Once the garden is tidy, turn your attention to your tools. Wipe down metal surfaces, sharpen blades, oil joints and store everything in a dry space to prevent rust.
The versatile Hori Hori Trowel can be used to scrape away dried soil and debris before cleaning – a simple habit to keep your kit in top condition. A few minutes spent now will save time and money next season, ensuring your tools are ready to perform when the first shoots appear.
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Good tools don’t just make the job easier – they make it more rewarding. Every Wilkinson Sword product is designed to preform season safter season, crafted with care and backed by a 10-year guarantee.
For more information, visit www.wilkinsonsword-tools.co.uk.
ENDS
RRP
Aluminium Bypass Pruners - £9.99
Carbon Steel Lawn Rake - £24.99
Stainless Steel Hand Trowel - £12.99
Stainless Steel Border Fork - £34.99
Hori Hori Trowel - £14.99
Ends
Editors notes
Wilkinson Sword's mission is to provide gardening tools of premium quality and performance that help make gardening easier and more enjoyable! Reflecting 100 years of cutting excellence, the gardening tools collection comprises highly engineered quality products, including pruners, shears, loppers, stainless steel garden tools as well as a range of axes and multi-tools. Every product in the range is put through rigorous quality tests to ensure the high-quality design, durability and strength expected from this trusted brand. Every product comes with the reassuring stamp of a 10-year guarantee.
