Expert tips: winter gardening for owners of garden sheds

09:10:20 21st October 2010

Winter weather can cause problems in the garden - Alan Titchmarsh offers expert advice in a piece for express.co.uk on how to ensure plants come through the colder months looking good.

Noting that last winter was particularly cold, he stresses that picking hardy plants is essential to making sure they survive.

While owners of garden sheds can move any weaker plants into outdoor buildings temporarily should the temperature drop dramatically, there are also many other steps that can be taken.

Titchmarsh recommends growing plants that are fully hardy, meaning they can withstand temperatures of up to -15 degrees C.

However, he notes that "choosing hardier plants is only half the battle; it also pays to tweak your gardening techniques to give everything the best possible protection".

Steps such as planting tough shrubs around exposed plants can help protect them during harsh weather conditions.

Recently, Kate Hodge of Ronseal suggested that wooden garden furniture, such as garden sheds, needs to be protected from the winter cold and should be treated now to prevent damage.