What Winter Reveals About Your Garden - and What to Plan for Spring

Winter has a way of showing us what’s really going on in the garden. Once the summer growth has died back it’s much easier to see the paths, the boundaries and the places where planting has become a little overcrowded.. Rather than seeing this as the quiet season, think of it as a chance to make a few good decisions before everything starts growing again.

You don’t need a grand redesign. Often two or three practical changes will make next spring feel much more organised - and set you up for a glorious summer with exciting new garden views to enjoy.

Take a fresh look at the layout

Start with a walk around the garden, then look at it from indoors. Where does your eye naturally travel? Is there a path that would benefit from a focused destination, a corner that needs height or a view you’d like to frame? An arch can mark the entrance to a kitchen garden or create a lovely transition between a terrace and the borders.

Before ordering anything, mark out the footprint and stand back. Think about width, height and how much space you’ll need to walk through comfortably once the plants are growing. It’s easier to make these decisions while the borders are quiet.

Tip: Always aim to have room for two people to pass comfortably through an arch side by side.

Give climbers the support they deserve

A climbing rose, clematis or a flurry of sweet peas can transform an arch or obelisk, but it helps to have the support ready before the planting takes off. Agriframes garden arches and obelisks offer different ways to add height and structure, depending on the scale of the planting and the effect you want.

Match the support to the mature plant rather than the small newbie you’re buying now. Consider the growing conditions, the space available for tying in stems and whether you’ll be able to reach the plant for pruning -  a support should make gardening easier, not create another challenge!.

Get ahead of the perennial border

We’ve all had the moment when a peony or delphinium looks wonderful one day and collapses after a downpour the next. The simplest answer is often to put plant supports in early, while stems are still short enough to grow naturally through them.

Ring supports and discreet metal frames can help taller perennials keep their shape without drawing attention away from the flowers. Make a note now of which plants needed rescuing last year and plan to position supports as growth begins in spring - don’t underestimate the eventual height and spread.

Think about the productive garden too

The kitchen garden can benefit from the same early planning. Where will beans climb? Will you be able to reach both sides of the row? Is there room to move a wheelbarrow through the entrance once everything is in full leaf?

A well-positioned arch or growing frame can make a productive area feel inviting as well as useful. Work out the layout before sowing, so the structures are in place when the plants need them.

Five garden jobs worth planning before spring

• Measure up for an arch, obelisk or other permanent support.
• Make a note of perennials that needed staking last year.
• Check paths, access routes and working space around beds.
• Decide where new climbers will grow and what they’ll need to climb.
• Plan a few containers or statement evergreens for year-round interest.

Keep your spring plans realistic

It’s easy to get carried away with the possibilities at this time of year. Try choosing three priorities: one improvement to the layout, one practical job that will make gardening easier and one planting idea you’re excited about.

Write them down, take measurements and check the likely timing. Some structural work is best tackled while plants are dormant and the ground is workable; other jobs can wait until the weather improves. The aim is to be ready for spring, not to spend all winter digging in the rain!

Frequently asked questions

What should I plan for my garden in winter?

Look at paths, focal points, climber supports, perennial staking and container positions. Winter makes the garden’s  layout easier to assess.

When should plant supports go in?

Many perennial supports work best when positioned early in the growing season, before stems become tall and difficult to manage. Permanent structures can often be planned in winter when ground conditions can make installations easier and there is no risk of damaging planting.

How do I choose between an arch and an obelisk?

An arch is useful for entrances and paths, while an obelisk creates height within a bed or border. Choose according to the space, the plant and the view you want to create.

Spring always seems to arrive faster than we expect. A little time spent looking, measuring and planning now means you’ll be ready to enjoy the new growth - rather than wondering where to put additions once everything’s already taken off.