While many stop looking at the garden as soon as the first cold spells arrive, landscape designers know that this is when one of the most important stages of the year begins. Winter is the backstage where much of what will happen in spring is defined.
The logic of winter in gardening is less visual appeal and more strategy. Because, although the garden seems still, many things are happening beneath the surface: roots keep working, the soil reorganizes, and landscape designers take advantage to correct mistakes, redefine spaces, and prepare the ground for the next season.
Many landscape designers use this time to observe something that remains hidden in spring: the real structure of the garden. Without flowers or lush foliage, gaps, scale errors, and areas needing more volume or texture become apparent.
Agronomist Carolina Pell explains that this season is key for tasks that later result in a healthier, more balanced, and resilient garden: «It’s a good time to prune deciduous shrubs, removing weak, dry, or crossing branches,» she recommends.
It is also time to add mulch, a practice increasingly valued by landscape designers seeking more resilient gardens with lower water consumption. Covering the soil, especially at the base of trees and shrubs with a layer of leaves or dry grass, helps protect roots, stabilize temperatures, and slowly improve soil structure.
Although it seems dormant in winter, the lawn still needs some attention, especially after frosts or dry periods. «After a frost, it’s best to avoid walking on the lawn until the sun ‘lifts it’ to prevent unwanted marks that last a long time, especially from vehicles,» warns Pell.
In gardens with clay soils, cold can also cause excessive compaction: «In clay soils, especially if we haven’t done winter overseeding with annual ryegrass, it’s advisable to water occasionally to avoid excessive substrate compaction. It’s also good to control the growth of cold-weather weeds like Poa annua,» notes Pell.
One of the most common winter mistakes is continuing to water the same as in summer. During this season, the garden consumes less water and requires different management. «It’s time to turn off automatic irrigation, but if it doesn’t rain for more than 10 days, supplement with some manual watering, especially if we have autumn-winter-spring cycle plants,» explains the agronomist.
Plants grown in pots also need special attention because their roots are more exposed to cold and substrate depletion. «If we have shrubs in pots, it’s necessary to apply an organic fertilizer once a month through watering,» recommends Pell.
Frost can become one of winter’s great enemies, especially in young gardens or with sensitive species. But there are small management practices that help minimize damage. Winter pruning improves the structure of many species and promotes more vigorous and healthy growth in spring.
«If we know frost is coming, it’s advisable to wet the soil beforehand. Soil with water takes longer to cool than dry soil. In the event of a black frost, wetting the foliage protects it,» explains Carolina Pell.
In summary, it’s important to keep in mind that while the garden seems still, it is actually going through a fundamental stage. And often, the most beautiful spring gardens begin to be built precisely on the coldest days of the year.
para mi dejar el jardin en invierno es de oligarcas la poda es una cuestion de clase los ricos tienen paisajistas y nosotros laburamos al pedo si no preparas la tierra ahora los vecinos de arriba te miran mal no seas vendepatria poda pone mulch y cuida el pasto que la primavera no espera a los gorilas
Para mí esto huele a excusa de zurdos que le tienen miedo a la tijera. La poda invernal es como una cirugía de precisión, si no la hacés sos un vago amante del pasto seco. ¡A meter tijera y a preparar la gloria primaveral, carajo! Viva la derecha jardinera.