Before the onset of winter, it is important to “winterproof” your garden and prepare for the cold season. The first signs of winter have made us shiver in the daytime and given us red noses. But some of us have also been caught by surprise in the truest sense of the word.
It’s a good thing that TFA has the right tips for the start of the winter season ready for you. To ensure that your garden will be blooming and flourishing again in the spring, we can show you the most important tasks at a glance in our checklist.
Keep an eye on the outside temperature
Firstly, it is important to monitor the temperatures outside. From October onwards, the values can drop abruptly.
Digital weather stations or thermometers with a moisture-resistant radio transmitter, cable sensors or analogue weatherproof instruments that can be hung outside are suitable for monitoring the outdoor temperature. A max./min. function with stored daily maximum and minimum values helps you to recognise cold spells at night. A temperature alarm function, which can be set so that an alarm is triggered if the temperature falls below a limit value that indicates impending frost (e.g. 2°C), provides a valuable service.
Danger from frost damage in the garden.
Users of wireless weather stations or smart home systems with an app connection can track the outdoor temperature via smartphone and receive active push notifications in the event of sub-zero temperatures.
Frost forecast using weather stations and SmartHome systems
Weather stations provide information about the current weather or climate conditions, depending on the model, indoors and/or outdoors and provide forecasts about future weather. Digital devices with radio transmitters measure the outdoor temperature and allow the temperature values to be monitored outdoors. A maximum and minimum value function is often included as standard. Some models have a helpful temperature alarm function:
The TFA.me system offers a smart solution for temperature monitoring that goes beyond conventional weather stations. With this innovative Wi-Fi weather station, you can track current weather conditions in real time and analyze historical data. The user-friendly system allows you to monitor temperature trends and set your own alarm limits for various measured values. This means you are always informed about the weather conditions and can act in good time if necessary to prevent frost damage to your garden.
WIFI Wireless Weather Station TFA.me ID-02
Item number: 35.8100
WIFI Wireless Weather Station TFA.me ID-04
Item number: 35.8102
TFA.me Starter Set WLAN Gateway ID-01 mit 3 Sendern ID-A3
Item number: 35.8104
Users of VIEW weather stations with an active Wi-Fi connection can not only call up all current measured values and the history of the last 30 days using their smartphone or tablet via the free VIEW app, but also receive push notifications if the set alarm limits are exceeded or not reached. Set a corresponding alarm value for your VIEW outdoor transmitter and you will be actively warned if there is a risk of frost.
The WeatherHub system also enables you to receive alerts about sub-zero temperatures via your smartphone with its eponymous app. Temperature transmitters are connected to a gateway and monitored via the free WeatherHub app.
Set for indoor climate monitoring with ventilation tips WEATHERHUB COSY RADAR
Item number: 31.4008
Weather station set with climate, rain gauge and wind meter WEATHERHUB
Item number: 31.4005
Starter set with KLIMA@HOME wireless thermo-hygrometer WEATHERHUB
Item number: 31.4007
When will there be frost? Thermometers and thermo-hygrometers help
Thermometers that measure the outdoor temperature, such as radio thermometers, thermometers with cable sensors, window thermometers, garden thermometers and classic outdoor thermometers, let you know when temperatures are dropping and frost is imminent. The maximum/minimum function is a common feature on thermometers. Some digital thermometers have an integrated temperature alarm that can alert you when the temperature drops below zero:
Wireless thermometer with 2 transmitters TRIO
Item number: 30.3062
Digital indoor-outdoor thermometer with alarm
Item number: 30.1024
Wireless thermo-hygrometers measure the outside temperature as well as the humidity and usually have a memory for maximum and minimum values. A frost alarm can be set on some models:
Frost-proof your garden for the winter now
To avoid any nasty surprises in the spring, you need to take a few precautions in your garden to protect it from the cold.
Switch off or drain the water away
Avoid damage to irrigation systems by draining the water from all garden hoses before the first frost and storing them in a dry place away from light. Empty watering cans and water butts and switch off outdoor taps and garden showers. You need to do this because when water freezes, it expands and can result in costly repairs.
Winterproofing sensitive plants in the garden
Large planters should be protected from freezing using bubble wrap, fleece or other materials. Any other potted plants should be placed in a frost-protected location with sufficient daylight. Don’t forget to water because plants need water even in the winter!
Add a layer of mulch
Adding a layer of mulch is an effective way to prepare your garden for the winter. Mulch has several benefits:
- Soil insulation: A thick layer of mulch protects the soil from extreme temperature fluctuations. It helps to insulate the soil and protect roots from frost damage.
- Weed suppression: Mulch suppresses the growth of weeds, which is particularly important as weeds can absorb the nutrients and moisture in the soil during the winter months.
- Moisture retention: Mulch retains moisture in the soil, which benefits the plants during dry winter periods.
- Erosion protection: Mulch protects the soil from erosion, which can be caused by winter rain and snow.
Use organic mulch, such as leaves, straw, bark mulch or compost, and spread a layer about 5-10 cm thick around the base of your plants. Be careful not to place the mulch directly on the stems or crowns of the plants, as this can cause rot.
Cut back diseased perennials
For example, perennials affected by mildew or other diseased plants should be pruned in autumn after flowering. This will prevent the fungus from spreading.
However, healthy perennials can be left standing in winter. The old stems and leaves protect the root area from frost. The plants also serve as winter quarters for many insects and their seeds as bird food.
Cut back diseased shrubs in the autumn.
Winterproofing the lawn
The lawn should be mowed for the last time in mid to late October. However, set your lawnmower slightly higher than usual. This will ensure that the grass still gets enough light in the winter and is better able to withstand moss. Collect the remaining leaves from the lawn. The old leaves must not be left on the grass. Otherwise, the lawn grasses underneath will not get any light.
Cleaning and storing garden tools and equipment
Before winter, you should clean your garden tools and equipment thoroughly and store them in a dry, frost-free place. Remove soil, plant debris and rust from shovels, hoes and other tools. This not only prevents damage caused by frost, but also extends the service life of your tools. Sharpen the blades of the tools before you store them so that they are ready for immediate use next spring.
Finally, a little tip for any car drivers:
Have you already fitted your winter tyres?
Road conditions are less safe in the winter than in summer: Tyres grip much less well in snow, ice or wet conditions than on dry roads. Summer tyres lose their grip at temperatures below 7°C. This is precisely when you should fit your vehicle with winter tyres.
Due to new test procedures and stricter criteria for winter tyres, the “M+S” designation is no longer sufficient. In future, winter tyres must be marked with an Alpine symbol (mountain pictogram with snowflake). This symbol certifies that the tyre meets the required uniform conditions in terms of grip, rolling noise and resistance. It is, therefore, advisable to look out for this symbol when buying winter and all-season tyres.
