How To Make The Most Out Of Your Garden This Winter

​Gardens aren't just for the summer, but how can you make the most of your outdoor space this winter?

​Keep Your Garden Growing
 
While we tend to care for our gardens in spring and summer, when winter comes round our outdoor spaces tend to get ignored and neglected. However, you can make your garden beautiful and colourful in the winter too if you plant the correct foliage. Shrubs can make your patio more attractive, with Christmas Roses, Violas and Golden Glories being a perfect choice as they flower during the colder months.
 
If you'd prefer a low maintenance garden, why not opt for different types of conifers in varying shades of green. This will help to give you greater privacy and will bring extra colour to your space. It is also a lot better than looking at bare branches when the leaves have fallen. Window boxes and colourful containers are also useful at this time of year.

Entertain Outdoors
 
Even when the weather turns cold, you can still enjoy your garden if you invest in a brazier or firepit. There is nothing so lovely as wrapping up warmly and toasting marshmallows over the fire while enjoying a crisp and cold winter evening with friends. You can even install  barbecue hut so that you can grill outdoors and enjoy the taste of flame grill all year round. Although they are quite expensive, they are a great investment if you regularly entertain.
 
Patio heaters are another way of making your outdoor spaces winter-friendly. Available in both gas and electric versions, they are the perfect addition to your garden if you like to sit outdoors in all weathers.
 
Hard wearing garden furniture, made from a strong and resilient material like rattan, will also ensure that you can entertain in the winter in your outdoor space. Rattan is low maintenance but still looks incredibly stylish and can be left in place on your patio all year round without the hassle of having to bring it indoors. Invest in an attractive sofa, chairs and matching coffee table for your patio.

​Light And Colour
 
Even if you'd rather enjoy your garden from the comfort of indoors, you can still create a beautiful display to look at from your window. Hanging fairy lights in your trees and adding strategically placed solar lights around your garden will add visual appeal and make your garden a magical winter wonderland. Outdoor lighting isn't just for Christmas, and lanterns on your patio will look stylish and appropriate long after the festive season has passed.

Attracting Wildlife
 
Whether you want to sit outdoors or inside and enjoy the winter view from your windows, attracting wildlife to your garden during the winter is a great way to get more from your outdoor space. Set up a bird feeder in a tree or install a bird table and you will be helping the hungry birds in the winter while giving yourself some excellent natural entertainment.
 
Another interesting way of attracting wildlife is to create a log feature in a corner of your garden. Creatures like insects, toads and frogs will be drawn to the shelter the wood provides and you will be doing your bit for the environment.

Winter Vegetables
 
Although many of your flowers will die off during the colder weather, many vegetables thrive during this season and can be harvested at this time of year. Root vegetables like parsnips, and greens like winter cabbage and kale, can be harvested in winter, and raspberries, rhubarb and garlic can be planted in this season for next year's crop.

Grow Indoors
 
If the weather is too cold for your plants to flourish outdoors, you can still enjoy the pleasure of growing your own flowers and vegetables if you invest in a greenhouse. These handy indoor spaces are well worth the money if you're a keen gardener as you can get outdoors and enjoy your hobby without catching a chill.
 
Greenhouses are ideal for growing all kinds of plants, from tomatoes to roses, and you'll have the pleasure of beautiful colour all year round.
 
This post was written by Rattan Direct, visit them for more gardening advice.