Top 5 Ways to spend more time in the garden in the colder weather

Struggling to get out in the colder weather? Here's out Top 5 Tips for spending more time in the garden, when the weather is a little fresher.

1. Create somewhere cosy to sit

Having somewhere to sit comfortably makes being out in the garden much more inviting; the only problem is, that's a little trickier in the colder months. By creating some heat in your garden you are giving yourself the opportunity to spend more time outside. You can do this by using electric or gas heaters, or by using fires, such as with a fire pit or chiminea. Then after that all you need is a cosy jumper, some blankets, and maybe some marshmallows for the fire.

2. Plant some winter friendly plants and flowers

There are a variety of plants and flowers which can add a pop of colour and texture to your garden during the colder months. In terms of the best Winter- flowering plants we recommend Pansies, Winter Heather and Cyclamen, which will do well in either pots or flower beds.

3. Grow Winter fruit and vegetables

Whilst not as varied as at other times of year, there are still vegetables which can withstand the Winter weather. This includes Brussels Sprouts, Cabbages, Leeks and Parsnips. This one takes some organisation but you can also look at planting fruits and vegetables which are ready to be picked in Winter. Some of the vegetables which are the most flavourful in Winter include: Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower, Kale and Sweet Potatoes. The fruits which are the most flavourful in Winter include: Apples, Oranges, Pears and Persimmons. You could even use some in your festive meals over Christmas time.

4. Create some shelter for wildlife

If you've seen our guide to creating animal homes in your garden, you'll know about some of the ways you can create shelter for wildlife; some of our ideas included hedgehog homes, bee hotels and home-made mini ponds for water-loving creatures. These are just a few of the ways you can create shelter for wildlife, but the possibilities are almost endless.

5. Use it as an opportunity to tidy up the garden

Winter can be a great opportunity to prepare the garden for the warmer months, and in particular a great way to set yourself up for Spring. We've already mentioned planting fruit and vegetables year round, but there are lots of things you can do to help this along. First of all, you can de-weed your garden, prune plants, trees and bushes. Then maybe look at protecting any plants and garden furniture which might be sensitive to the elements. Following this, you can look at digging garden beds, planting bulbs, re-potting plants, or why not put out some bird feeders to continue taking care of your local wildlife?

Whatever you choose to do, it's important to remember that gardens are not just for enjoying on summery days; Winter can have it's own magic, and with enough layers on, the garden can be enjoyed all year round.