Taking Care of Your Garden (and Yourself) This Winter

Even during the colder months, there’s plenty you can do to keep your garden healthy:

• Protect tender plants: Wrap vulnerable shrubs and young trees before frost arrives. Our Frostguard Roll and Heavy Duty Fleece are ideal for shielding plants against cold winds and sudden temperature dips.
• Use plant jackets: For potted plants and smaller shrubs, the Protective Plant Jackets make frost protection quick and effortless.
• Mulch borders: A generous layer of mulch insulates roots and boosts soil health. Weeds can be pretty persistent here so you'll need a good couple of inches for best results. Try to keep mulching material away from the stems of your shrubs and trees, leaving a good inch bare around them, so as to prevent any potential rot.
• Check drainage: Prevent waterlogging by clearing leaves from drains and raising pots off the ground. You can use pot feet made for this purpose or just lift them a little with some broken tiles or whatever you have lying around as long as you keep the pot level. 
• Winter pruning: You can prune roses, fruit trees, and woody shrubs while they’re dormant. Some shrubs, like Lavatera, Lavender and Buddleja as well as ornamental grasses should be left until spring but we intend to cover pruning in a separate article shortly.
• Tidy paths: Remove algae and moss to keep walkways safe in wet weather.
• Cover veg beds: If you have empty veg beds, it can be a good idea to cover them in black polythene or Hipex over winter, because, as you know, the weeds don't tend to hold back here over the colder season and this can save a lot of time in the spring!

Between festive lights, water features, heaters, and tools, your outdoor electrics work hard in winter. Keeping them dry is essential for safety and longevity.

Something like the Dribox Outdoor Connection Box, which we stock, houses outdoor plugs and connectors safely, protecting them from heavy rain and splashes — an absolute must in Ireland’s damp climate.

We also stock a range of lead extensions and splitters from Pro-Lights that can help you map out your outdoor lighting displays over the festive season.

If you have an outdoor tap, this can easily be forgotten until you come to use it and find it frozen solid. Be sure to wrap these up or even better use a purpose built tap-cover which is inexpensive, and easy to add and remove when needed.

Winter gardening can be invigorating, but staying warm and visible is key. We stock a great range of wellingtons, gloves, and waterproof workwear for comfort in all weathers. For those who venture out walking, it is always best to don a high-vis vest (and maybe a head-lamp) out on our roads and lanes. They may not be the most fashionable of items but better to be be safe than looking good in a ditch (just as a side note, if you do buy a hi-vis, make sure it fits over your biggest coat - I put mine on the other day to find I couldn't move my shoulders and ended up walking the lane looking like some kind of luminescent scarecrow). This conveniently brings us on to:

Lighting for Dark Evenings

Short days don’t have to slow you down — good lighting keeps you safe outdoors:

• Waterproof Headlamp: The waterproof head torch is perfect for hands-free jobs or winter walks.
• Power-Pro Multilight: A bright, portable solution for sheds, workshops, or emergencies: Power-Pro Multilight.
• Cycle Twin Lights: Stay seen on winter commutes with the Mini Twin Bicycle Lights.

We also offer a wide range of outdoor lighting from the decorative to the practical for pathways, patios, and porches. Oh, and don't forget your batteries if your lights need them.

From gardening to commuting, winter weather can be rough on belongings. Keep them protected with our practical accessories:

• Waterproof Dry Bag: Ideal for keeping tools and valuables dry — Waterproof Dry Bag.
• Waterproof Phone Case: Perfect for outdoor work or winter walks: Waterproof Phone Case.
• Smart Hand Warmers: A practical comfort gift — Smart Hand Warmers.

We also have a range of umbrellas available if you find yourself waiting for a lift or public transport in a down-pour.

Struggling for gift ideas? Practical winter accessories are always appreciated — from plant protection to lighting and cosy hand warmers. They’re thoughtful, useful, and perfect for gardeners, walkers, cyclists, or anyone working outdoors during the colder months.

And for those who'd rather stay in and hibernate over winter, we've a few gifts for them too:

• Nice cosy throws to wrap up in whilst reading a good book, or adding the latest journal entry;
• Candles that offer warmth and light, as well as other decorative lighting ideas that would make a lovely gift in the darker months and;
• A range of games, puzzles and entertainment to keep families sane when the outdoors isn't an appealing option.