Overview

• Drain and shut off outdoor taps, hoses and lines before freezing temperatures to avoid burst pipes, a step experts like NDR’s Peter Rasch flag as the costliest omission.
• Switch off, clean and store pond pumps and filters in a frost-free place, and clear leaves and sludge so trapped gases do not build under ice.
• Shield vulnerable roses by heaping 15–20 centimeters of soil and compost over the root collar and use evergreen branches to buffer wind and winter sun.
• Bring sensitive container plants indoors early and insulate hardy tubs with fleece or bubble wrap while lifting pots off cold ground and placing them in sheltered spots.
• Stow or cover garden furniture appropriately, remove leaves from lawns but leave only a light protective layer in beds, and apply a potassium‑rich, low‑nitrogen autumn feed before frost while avoiding late nitrogen-heavy fertilizing.