Maintenance

Aerate the lawn

• You can aerate the soil in places were there is often excess water (prick holes with a special aerator or garden fork). 
• Only do this if there is no frost and the ground is not frozen.
• Avoid walking on a frozen lawn as much as possible. This avoids causing poor spots on the lawn. Regularly scatter sharp sand on such spots to make the ground less muddy.

Snow

A thick layer of snow offers excellent protection to your plants. Snow is highly insulating. However a layer of snow can press heavily on conifers with upward branches, which can cause the branches to bend and even snap off. Remove the snow in order to make sure that the tree isn’t permanently deformed.

The pond needs to breathe

An ice preventer helps ensure that your pond does not freeze over entirely. Harmful gasses can escape from the water and oxygen can get in. This keeps the pond healthy even if the water is covered in ice.

Build a pond

If you build a pond now - during frost-free weather - you can enjoy it from April. Use a good quality pond liner (rubber sheeting is very flexible even at low temperatures).

Check tree straps

A tree strap may be too tight and can grow into the bark. Loosen the strap. Straps which are too loose and are rubbing on a tree’s bark should be tightened a little.

Check container plants

• Check for infestations such as aphids and fungus.
• Clean up dropped leaves and dead twigs, since they can be a source of infection.
• Ensure that the air of the storage place where the pots are being overwintered is freshened regularly.
• Do not allow the rootballs to dry out completely.