Winter garden preparation with peat-free compost

Begin with the plants you already have

Walk around the garden and separate urgent work from jobs that can wait. Check plant labels for hardiness and identify containers that need shelter. Different species need different protection, so avoid treating all plants alike.

Remove damaged supports and secure loose pots. Keep healthy seed heads or undisturbed areas where they provide useful wildlife habitat, while dealing appropriately with diseased material.

Check drainage before adding more compost

Inspect container drainage holes and look for pots sitting in persistent standing water. Adding coir to the surface will not correct a blocked outlet or an unsuitable container.

Avoid working saturated ground simply to complete a winter checklist. For pots, assess moisture where the roots are growing; the surface can be misleading. Water according to the plant and conditions rather than a fixed summer routine.

Keep growing media ready for use

Store unused compost in its original packaging, protected from contamination and according to the label. Keep product names and instructions so you can distinguish a seed mix from a general potting medium next spring.

If using compressed coir, hydrate only the quantity required and follow the product instructions. Coir is not a substitute for a complete feeding plan; check whether nutrients are included in the purchased mix.

Plan spring sowing around the crop

Make a list of what you want to grow and check each seed packet for sowing conditions. An early calendar date is not useful if there is insufficient light, warmth or space to raise healthy seedlings.

Choose a medium intended for the propagation method. Reuse clean trays where suitable, check labels and arrange a location with appropriate growing conditions before sowing.

Use a short winter checklist

Prioritise shelter where needed, clear drainage, sensible watering, clean equipment and a realistic planting plan. Feed according to active growth and the plant’s requirements, not because the season has changed.

For help distinguishing coir components from finished growing mixes, read Growing with Coir. The RHS winter guide below offers wider seasonal advice.

Sources & further reading

RHS: winter gardening