Right, I know we’re still in spring and need to enjoy this season as much as possible, but I’d like to start a series of posts about a season that most casual gardeners usually overlook… winter! brrrrrrrrrl and of course, how to create a winter cosy garden.
I’ll be talking from my perspective; I’ve been working with this for over 25 years (yup, yours truly, David!) and I can guarantee that a winter garden works well… even in winter!
There are several ways to have a winter cosy garden
you can have this area inside your house or even a small glasshouse attached to your house if you have space. If you don’t have much space, it can be a small glasshouse even! 🙂
Did you know that this British invention comes from the late 18th century, so that we Brits can grow some plants even in winter?
Nowadays, you don’t have that much need anymore; in winter, just put on a load of clothes and go get food at the market, but it’s really cool to be self-sufficient (or partially sufficient) even in severe winter, whether here or anywhere else in the world!
Also, even if you don’t plant anything to eat, not even a culinary herb, you can have plants flowering, even when it’s freezing outside!
If you have space, it doesn’t just have to be about plants, either! It’s a great space to chill out, escape any hustle and bustle, read, eat, and so on.
What’s cooler about these glasshouses is that they let natural light in from all sides, and the cold wind stays outside!
They aren’t just windows; there’s currently enough technology to completely block the cold, the sound and much more!
If you get excited, you can even use those mood lights or bioclimatic pergolas that adjust to the temperature (works well for all seasons)…it’s a dream for a lot of people, and I’m sure it will be yours too!
You can check out some tips in our Season Calendar about what to plant or what will flower in winter.
Plant, read, sleep…repeat!
There’s a lot that can be done inside your house (or little house) of glass, but from my point of view, it serves a lot to deal with the stress of everyday life!
You can escape there in the middle of the freezing winter and enter a warm, green and silent place… priceless!
It’s a gentle reminder that even in the coldest months, nature’s got your back.
If you’re thinking about creating your own winter garden, here’s a quick heads-up: check your local planning rules first because adding a glass extension or veranda might need permission.
Also, consider what you want the space for : whether it’s a reading nook, a dining area, or a mini indoor garden….because that’ll shape your design choices and furniture.
Colour and textures in a winter cosy garden
A well-designed winter cosy garden can be full of vibrant stems, elegant foliage, and dramatic colours.
Garden expert Naomi Slade offers inspiration with winter design tips and gardening jobs to tackle in winter.
Winter gardens can benefit from non-plant elements, such as art and sculptures, with wind chimes that sound their notes in the cold air
Incorporating colour into the winter garden can be achieved through evergreens, winter jasmine, and pansies.
Textures can be emphasised through the bark of trees, such as the silver birch, which can act as a feature.
Garden structures, such as a trellis or archway, can be laced with frost or snow to create a captivating focal point.
Winter Wildfile
Finally, don’t forget about the wildlife. If it’s tough for you, imagine it for our wild friends? They could be hungry and looking for shelter.
It’s a tough time for everyone. The water they used to drink from might be frozen, the trees where they take a nap might be covered in snow… food, of course! It’s hard to find.
Last winter, because of the rush of new and old projects and special dates, I ended up leaving this to the last minute.
I used a corner of my garden with plants that are more resistant to winter, with an old sheet that looked like a sail to break the wind.
I created some warmer spots using the plants that were there. A little food spread on the plants and fresh water, without freezing! 🙂
Giving them a little water doesn’t cost anything and they’ll always be around to visit you!
