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Seasonal Garden Maintenance: What to Do and When

An elegant garden doesn’t stay that way by accident. Behind every neat border and well-structured hedge is a rhythm—quiet, consistent, and seasonal.

In Oxfordshire’s villages—Leafield, Sibford Gower, Minster Lovell—we look after gardens that evolve gently over the year. This guide shares that approach: grounded, predictable, and low on drama.

Winter (December – February)

The garden rests. But you shouldn’t ignore it.

• Prune apple, pear, and late-flowering shrubs
• Mulch beds while the ground is bare
• Tidy borders and remove lingering stems, if not left for wildlife
• Plan the year ahead—planting schemes, maintenance cycles

It’s a time for structure, not show. Focus on soil, shape, and stillness.

Early Spring (March – April)

Growth stirs, and so must you.

• Cut back dead material from perennials
• Feed shrubs and beds with slow-release fertiliser
• Weed before it gets ahead
• Divide congested clumps and reposition as needed

This is when smart gardeners stay ahead of the rush. The more you do now, the easier summer becomes.

Late Spring (May – early June)

Everything quickens. Stay steady.

• Deadhead early blooms to keep them going
• Plant out bedding, veg, and tender perennials
• Hoe lightly to suppress weeds
• Stake tall perennials before they flop

In places like Steeple Aston or Great Haseley, late spring is when paths blur under new growth—keep definition in place.

Summer (Mid June – August)

Maintenance becomes daily, but lighter.

• Water deeply, not often
• Clip hedges once growth slows (typically July)
• Harvest veg and deadhead flowering borders
• Cut back early-flowering perennials to encourage a second flush

Summer’s temptation is to sit back—but gardens still need steady touch. For pruning advice: The Best Time to Prune Hedges in Oxfordshire

Early Autumn (September – October)

The shift begins—prepare quietly.

• Plant bulbs for spring
• Cut back fading growth, or leave for structure
• Lift and divide summer-flowering perennials
• Rake leaves, especially off lawns and paths

In villages like Bloxham or Berinsfield, we see the best gardens manage autumn gently—not all at once, not in a panic.

Late Autumn (November)

Final preparations for the year’s close.

• Plant bare root trees and hedging
• Protect pots and delicate plants from frost
• Mulch again where needed
• Clear gutters, drainage and tool sheds

Now the garden pauses. And if you've paced it well, so can you.

Know When to Step Back

Maintenance isn’t about constant fuss. It’s about knowing what not to do:

• Let some seed heads stand through winter
• Allow grass clippings to break down when mowing
• Resist the urge to replant too often—gardens need time

If you’re building a wildlife-friendly space, these small decisions matter. See: Creating a Wildlife-Friendly Garden: Simple Steps to Get Started

A Garden That Works, Quietly

We believe the most elegant gardens are not the busiest—they’re the most consistent.
They follow the year. They’re looked after calmly.

And with the right rhythm, even a high-standard garden can be low-maintenance—because you’re always just one step ahead, not three behind.

For long-term guidance, see: The Ultimate Oxfordshire Garden Calendar: What to Plant and When
Or explore: Creating an Elegant, Low-Maintenance Cottage Garden

Seasonal care isn’t complicated. It’s just quiet, regular attention. The kind that builds something lasting.

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