How to Prepare Your Garden for Winter
For design-conscious homeowners, the outdoor space isn’t packed away once summer ends - it’s adapted. Whether you’re working with an established layout or still shaping your vision, preparing your garden for winter is about protecting what you’ve built while laying the groundwork for seasons to come.
In this blog, we offer simple and stylish tips that preserve your space’s charm and safeguard your investment, featuring long-lasting pieces like teak benches, tables, and chairs.
Start with the Basics: Clean, Check & Clear
When getting your garden ready for winter, it’s important to start with a little reset.
Clear away leaves and debris:
Although fallen leaves may look romantic, they trap moisture and invite rot. Be sure to sweep paths, patios, and decking to avoid staining and slipping hazards.
Inspect your space:
Check for signs of pests, mould, or wear, especially around soft furnishings and plant containers. Early intervention can go a long way.
Give your furniture some love:
Wipe down teak garden tables, chairs, or benches with warm soapy water and a soft-bristled brush. Don’t use any harsh treatment like pressure washers – teak simply doesn’t need it.
Cover or Store?: How to Decide What Stays Out
Not everything in your garden needs to be packed away at the first sign of cold weather – but knowing what to store and what can stay put makes all the difference. Soft furnishings like cushions, throws, and lightweight décor are best brought indoors or placed in sealed, dry containers to avoid damage from moisture and frost.
Meanwhile, your high-quality teak garden furniture can stay exactly where it is. Designed for year-round use, the natural oils in teak wood provide exceptional protection against the elements – from heavy rain to icy mornings. If you’d rather add an extra layer of defence, use breathable, waterproof covers designed for outdoor use. Try to steer clear of plastic tarps, as they can trap moisture.
Weatherproof the Details
Winter readiness isn’t just about what’s visible - it’s also the little things:
Check the joints and fixings:
Tighten any loose screws or fittings and inspect for rust on metal parts.
Lift furniture where needed:
Adding rubber feet or risers to benches and tables in wetter areas can help reduce water contact.
Refresh the finish if needed:
Teak’s natural patina is beautiful, but with a light oiling in autumn, you can restore deeper golden hues and provide an extra moisture barrier if desired.
Make it Winter-Friendly
Just because it’s colder doesn’t mean your garden needs to lose its charm. You can keep it usable and mood-lifting with a few additions:
Layer with lighting:
Add lanterns, fairy lights, or solar lamps to create a soft glow in the early evenings.
Add structure with evergreens:
Use potted plants or shrubs to maintain form and texture when the rest of the garden goes dormant.
Keep a corner ready:
Drape a teak chair or bench with a wool throw and set up some lanterns nearby to create a corner that’s always ready to go.
Winter-Proofing Your Garden Just Got Easier
Winter prep doesn’t mean clearing anything away. Instead, it’s about knowing what to care for and how to care for it.
By investing in materials like teak and giving your space a little maintenance now, you’re not just protecting your garden, but extending the life of everything you love about it.