The first proper frosts of the season are arriving across much of Europe this week, and with them the moment many gardeners quietly dread. One clear, still night can turn lush containers into limp leaves and split a forgotten outdoor tap. The good news is that a single afternoon of preparation is usually enough to protect most of what you care about. Here is a friendly, practical checklist for early November.
Bring the tender plants in first
Start with anything that comes from warmer climates: geraniums, fuchsias, lemon trees, chillies, succulents and most herbs grown in pots. Move them into a bright, cool room, a porch or an unheated greenhouse where temperatures stay above freezing. Check the undersides of leaves for aphids and snails before they come indoors, and water sparingly. Most plants rest over winter and rot more easily than they dry out.
Wrap what stays outside
Larger potted plants such as olive trees, bay, hydrangeas or young Japanese maples often stay outdoors. Their roots are the weak spot, because a pot freezes much faster than open ground. Wrap the container in bubble wrap, hessian or an old blanket, and stand it on pot feet or a piece of wood so water can drain and cold does not creep up from the paving. On very cold nights, drape horticultural fleece over the crown and remove it again in the morning so the plant can breathe.
Is your garden tap ready for minus temperatures?
This is the job people forget most often, and it can be the most expensive. Water expands as it freezes, which can crack an outdoor tap or the pipe behind it. If your tap has an inside shut-off valve, close it, then open the outdoor tap to drain the remaining water. Disconnect and empty hoses, and store them in a shed or garage. A simple foam tap cover costs very little and adds an extra layer of protection.
Mulch, feed the birds, leave some mess
A thick layer of compost, bark or leaf mould over flower beds keeps the soil a few degrees warmer and protects roots and bulbs. Do not cut everything back: seed heads and hollow stems look beautiful with frost on them and give insects a place to shelter. Fill a bird feeder and keep a shallow dish of fresh water out, breaking the ice on frosty mornings. Garden birds struggle most when the ground is frozen.
Small checks that pay off
Empty and turn over terracotta pots you are not using, as wet clay can flake in a hard frost. Clean and oil your tools before putting them away. Move garden furniture cushions inside, and secure covers on barbecues and loungers before the next windy spell.
An hour or two now means a far calmer winter, and a garden that bounces back quickly in spring. Put on a warm hat, grab a flask of tea and make an afternoon of it.
