Winter can be a quiet time in the garden, with many plants lying dormant as they bunker down waiting for spring to bloom.

To ensure plants are well taken care of during the tough cold months ahead, there are plenty of ways for gardeners to winterise their outdoor spaces, including investing in frost fleece insulation, cold frames and greenhouse heaters.

Below, we have highlighted ways in which people can help their gardens continue to thrive during the winter months, as well as the products retailers should stock up on in order to increase sales during a time which is traditionally quieter for the gardening industry.

Insulate and heat the greenhouse

Heating is used to provide optimal temperatures for crop growth and for management of the humidity in the greenhouse. As outside temperatures dip in winter months, it becomes harder for greenhouses to stay warm – this is why greenhouse paraffin heaters are needed to keep tender plants warm.

As well as buying a heater, there are also several ways to winterise a greenhouse with different methods of insulation. These include:

• Adding a layer of bubble wrap to each panel

• Sealing cracks, replacing broken panes and ensuring vents and doors fit snugly

• Renewing seals on doors and ventilators

• Screening off part of the greenhouse with polythene and battens to limit the area to be kept heated is possible

Build a cold frame

Although predominantly used in spring months, cold frames can help winterise a garden space. A cold frame is a transparent roofed low to the ground enclosure, used to protect plants from adverse weather, primarily excessive cold or wet. The transparent top admits sunlight and prevents heat escaping, helping to create a safe space to nurture plants.

Invest in natural insulation

Hortiwool 100% sheep wool pads offer hydroscopic frost protection and insulation, perfect for using in gardens and allotments. Pure sheep’s wool has excellent thermal protection from cold weather conditions and is great at absorbing water due to its natural capillary action. It then releases water slowly hydrating soil and roots and providing extra nutrients, so less watering is required. Natural insulation can be used in both greenhouses and cold frames, as well as flower beds.

These innovative 100% wool pads are also made in the UK and 100% natural, offering amazing green credentials to those with green fingers. They can be used as hanging basket liners, insulation for young plants as well as adding to compost, mulching and as natural bedding for wildlife – which is essential for animals in colder months.

Extra top gardening tips

Take a broom and knock snow off plants, before it freezes. This prevents sagging and broken branches under the weight of the snow. Stax have a collection of wholesale brooms available.

Invest in plants which are adapted to surviving in cold weather. These include Clematis and Pansies for winter colour. For allotments, opt for winter vegetables such as Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbages, kale, leeks and parsnips, which can survive over winter with little protection.

To discover over 1000 brands at low wholesale prices, register today for a free Stax trade account. As the UK’s biggest non-food wholesaler, you can exclusively browse over 40,000 products online or in-store at one of our six nationwide branches. Whether you shop cash and carry or ordered delivery, join thousands of satisfied independent retailers and tradespeople by shopping with Stax.