You might think garden clearances would slow down as winter approaches, but we’ve been busy than usual with outdoor jobs at Junk-It this week, dismantling sheds and greenhouses, clearing out garages and helping property owners accross Scotland get their outdoor spaces ship shape before the winter months.
If you’ve got similar work waiting in your garden, autumn is a useful time to get it organised, alongside checking what needs repairing and making room to store garden furniture.
Winterising your garden means preparing it for cold, wet and windy weather. A few repairs and some sorting now can help protect the plants and equipment you want to keep, while dealing with damaged structures before the weather gets worse.
Start before frost and winter storms
Autumn gives you time to check the garden and arrange any work before winter weather makes outdoor jobs more difficult. The RHS recommends preparing for winter damage mainly in autumn, with plant protection in place as frosts arrive.
Your garden’s position matters too. An exposed plot will need different attention from a sheltered courtyard, and you shouldn’t rely on a fixed date for the first frost. Keep an eye on the local forecast, especially if you have tender plants outside.
Check whether your shed needs repairs or removal
Check your shed roof for leaks and loose felt, then look at the walls, floor and door. Damp patches inside can help you spot where water is getting in before you put furniture or tools away for winter.
A sound shed with a leaking roof may only need a repair. The RHS autumn maintenance advice includes fixing shed roof leaks before winter. Clearing enough space to inspect the inside will also help you see whether the floor and lower walls need attention.
If the structure is badly deteriorated or no longer useful, you can arrange to have it taken down. Our shed removal service covers dismantling and collection, including unwanted contents. Tell us about its condition and any connected services when you enquire so we can assess the work involved.
Get your greenhouse ready for winter
Before moving plants into a greenhouse, check for cracked panes, missing glazing clips and damage to the frame. Arrange repairs to loose or damaged glazing before winter winds put it under more pressure.
Cleaning the glass is worthwhile too. The RHS recommends cleaning greenhouses to improve the light reaching plants and remove places where pests and diseases can survive. Clear out unused pots and equipment so you can reach the glass and check the structure properly.
A greenhouse that you no longer use may be taking up space you need for something else. If you’ve decided to remove it, arrange the dismantling and collection together so you’re not left with glass and frame sections waiting in the garden.
A recent greenhouse removal by Alex and Connor
One customer recently left us a Google review after Alex and Connor dismantled and removed an old 6 x 4 greenhouse, along with other unwanted items.
The customer said they called at 2pm, the team arrived at 2.15pm and the work was completed within an hour. They wrote:
“Couldn’t fault the service, friendly, polite & professional. Thanks very much. Will definitely recommend!”
Our greenhouse removal service includes assessing the structure, dismantling it and clearing the materials away. The size, condition and access affect how we plan each job, so let us know about narrow gates, steps or other restrictions when you request a quote.
Make room in your garage for winter storage
Garden furniture and tools need somewhere suitable to go once you’re finished using them outside. Before bringing them in, work out how much room you need and check that you can still reach the things you’ll use over winter.
Sort through what’s already in your garage, keeping useful equipment and setting aside anything you want to donate, recycle or have collected. Clean and dry garden tools before storing them, and follow the manufacturer’s storage instructions for powered equipment.
If bulky items are taking up the available space, our garage clearance team can collect the unwanted contents. You can then put furniture away without blocking the doorway or stacking it over equipment you still need.
Keep paths and drainage channels clear
Wet leaves and algae can make garden paths slippery. Sweep the routes you use regularly, including the path to your bins, and deal with moss or algae on paving. The RHS recommends cleaning hard surfaces before winter to reduce slipping.
Check accessible surface-water channels and drain covers for leaves and loose debris too. Move unwanted items that are blocking access, so you can keep checking these areas as more leaves fall. Water that repeatedly pools after the surface debris has been removed may need further investigation.
Protect the plants that need it
Tender plants and exposed containers need attention before frost arrives. Move suitable pots to a sheltered position and check the care advice for each plant, as some will need a frost-free place for winter.
For plants staying outside, horticultural fleece can provide protection during cold spells. Wrapping pots can also help protect roots from freezing. The RHS frost protection guide explains the options for different plants, including moving tender plants under cover and mulching suitable plants.
Make sure container drainage holes are clear, and raise suitable pots on feet so excess water can escape. Avoid cutting everything back as part of an autumn tidy-up, since some plants benefit from keeping their old growth through winter.
Leave shelter for garden wildlife
Seedheads, hollow stems and quiet corners with fallen leaves can provide food or shelter for wildlife over winter. You can clear broken furniture and keep paths usable while leaving those parts of the garden undisturbed.
The National Trust advises leaving perennial stems and seedheads where they can help insects and birds. Check compost heaps and piles of garden material for hedgehogs or other animals before moving them, and let your clearance team know about any areas you’re keeping for wildlife.
Arrange a garden clearance before winter
If winter preparation includes removing an unwanted structure or clearing bulky items, Junk-It Scotland provides garden clearances in Glasgow, Edinburgh and across Central Scotland. We can discuss shed and greenhouse dismantling alongside the other items you need collected.
We look for opportunities to reuse suitable items and separate materials for recycling, with disposal for what remains. Our recycling page explains how we handle the materials we collect.
To arrange a clearance before you put the garden furniture away, call 0141 433 4330 for a free, no-obligation quote. Tell us what needs removing and what access is available, and we’ll explain the work involved and confirm the price before starting.
