Winterizing Your Garden: The Complete Autumn Checklist

• Frost-sensitive pots: move Mediterranean plants such as olive trees, oleander and citrus to a frost-free spot (conservatory, garage) or wrap the pot in horticultural fleece — roots in a pot freeze faster than roots in open ground.
• Vulnerable perennials: cover the roots with a thick layer of mulch, compost or leaves, especially for plants only in their first or second year in the ground.
• Hydrangeas and other late bloomers: leave the spent flowerheads on until spring — they protect the new buds against frost.
• Shrubs against a wall or fence: a double layer of horticultural fleece protects against both frost and cold wind, the biggest cause of winter damage.

• Last mow: mow the lawn slightly higher than usual (5–6 cm) in November and then stop, so the grass does not go into winter weakened.
• Leaf clearing — but not everywhere: remove leaves from the lawn (otherwise it smothers the grass), but leave a layer under shrubs and in borders — valuable winter protection for the soil and overwintering insects.
• Mulch the borders: a layer of compost on the borders feeds the soil and protects roots from frost at the same time.
• Winter pruning: fruit trees and most deciduous trees can be pruned during winter dormancy; avoid pruning "bleeding" species like birch and maple during this period. See our pruning guide for the right timing per plant.

• Outside tap: drain the pipe and insulate the tap, or close the indoor shut-off valve — a frozen outside tap bursts and causes water damage the moment it thaws.
• Garden hose: drain completely and store dry; a frozen hose cracks from the inside.
• Pond pump: remove the pump from a shallow pond, or set it to a frost-free setting if the pond is deep enough (at least 80 cm) for fish to overwinter.
• Keep it ice-free: float a ball or frost-free buoy in the pond so an air gap always remains — a fully frozen pond can trap harmful gases that are dangerous for fish.

• Garden furniture: clean and dry it before storing in a shed or under a cover; damp wood and metal deteriorate much faster through freeze-thaw cycles.
• Patio: remove algae and moss before winter — that prevents slipping and limits damage from freezing moisture in the joints.
• Tools: clean secateurs and spades, oil the moving parts and store everything dry — tools last years longer this way, and you start spring ready to go.

Thinking about a covered structure so the patio stays usable year-round? See the options in our villa garden guides.