We may find a number of elements causing problems outside in the garden during the winter months. These include frost, and penetrating cold, high winds, heavy snow and heavy rain causing waterlogged ground.

Usually dry winters present the least problem, not least because even a dry winter sees far less water loss through evaporation and transporation than even a mid autumn month. However, with dry winters can come chill northerly or easterly winds of course. Whilst very cold weather is often blamed for plant loss, in fact it's usually the combination of the wind with very cold temperatures. Such early cold in November and early December is particularly problematic, as deciduous plants are very  vulnerable then- because they are not yet fully dormant. Longer periods of severe weather (of more than a week) will also likely be damaging later in the winter. It is possible to minimise the damage likely by both wind and penetrating cold, though.

Strong gales usually affect the weakest new trees or shrubs that haven’t yet rooted properly, so stake these up before winter proper. There are trees that even when quite well established can become top heavy, such as willows, birch and poplars. These aren't great trees to purchase if you live in an exposed area. Usually it's trees & shrubs weakened by previous storms or disease that are the most susceptible to damage, then once damaged they become more susceptible, in a vicious circle.  If they do start to lean and look vulnerable you could try to put up temporary shelters around shrubs secured to decent posts held firmly in the ground. Trees can be guyed instead (or as well), if too large for windbreak shelters. If branches snap off partially, try to cleanly remove them and seal the cut ends as soon as you can to prevent further ripping or tearing and disease ingress. Don't bother to try tying them back on to the tree, they are very unlikely to meld and the split area will just act as a fungal and disease trap.

Don't forget your greenhouse as well! These and other structures can be damaged by high winds, so check your fences, trellises, and so on to make sure they are nice and secure. It's most commonly garden fences that come down in storms, so you might consider fitting anchors and braces to the fences as well as greenhouses and sheds in especially exposed positions.

As mentioned, it's your evergreens that are most likely to be scorched. They still lose water through their leaves during winter and a strong wind increases this rate of transpiration, so resulting in scorched foliage, as the plant may not be able to draw up enough water through it's roots. If the ground is frozen too, this will prevent it from drawing moisture up from the soil. In the same way that Christmas trees drop needles, evergreens will do the same thing outside as a coping mechanism but if it's too cold and windy for too long then it may not be enough. Again, if possible, put up a windbreak to protect the smaller trees and plants.

Whilst a frosty garden looks pretty it's actually a potential disaster area. Protect your non hardy plants in winter by moving them into the greenhouse or add mulch or leaf blankets or fleece across them. Even the most hardy plants can still be damaged by frost when the sun suddently shines on them promoting a quick thaw. It's a bit like putting them in the fridge, followed by a quick blast of your hair drier. Not nice. It's particularly plants like magnolias, hydrangeas and camelias that are vulnerable, the early flowerers. Prolonged frost is a killer as it lifts the soil and loosens roots. When it has thawed, firm up the soil again around the roots of such lifted plants as soon as you can.

Another problem that occurs with a big freeze is that the bark on fruit trees and some shrubs (eg: rhododendrons) is also prone to splitting during rapid freezing and thawing. If you see this is happening you can help during the coldest weather, by wrapping the affected stem or trunk.

Don't forget, we can get severe frosts as late as April in places, especially vulnerable valleys and glens in Scotland and northern England. Always try to protect with garden fleece if a very cold night threatens.