While many may have wrapped their gardening up for the festive period, the winter is actually an ideal time to prepare for the year ahead.

There is a lot to be doing, even if it does not involve planting, according to one expert.

Steven Walley, garden landscaper and paving expert from London Stone, has shared how getting on with jobs now can lead to a “beautiful” spring garden.

The expert said: “During winter, many trees are without their leaves, so it can be easier to view your garden layout and make decisions on where you would like to open up more space or perhaps where you’d like to create more privacy.

“If you decide to move any trees or shrubs, then it’s best to carry out this work during the colder months because they’ll be dormant, which means you’ll disturb the roots less.”

It’s also a great time to consider making any structural changes, such as creating new steps, paths, patios or flower beds.

It’s much easier to make these changes in a garden which is empty rather than in spring or summer when it is in growth mode.

The expert said: “Patio installation involves a lot of planning, so making a start in winter will help you get a finished look ready for the warmer months.”

It’s also a great time to identify if you need a hedge or fence which could provide protection if your garden gets exposed to harsh winds and weather.

The expert continued: “Once you’ve planned the new layout of your garden, understanding the soil quality in the areas you want to plant new seeds is vital if you’re looking to grow healthy plants that come back year after year.

“Test the acidity of the soil to determine whether it is suitable for the plant you want to grow.

“Over time, the quality of your soil can fall as the repeated growing cycles of plants can leave it drained of nutrients and even change the soil’s pH, making it more acidic or alkaline.”

It’s also better to move and relocate plants and shrubs over the winter when they aren’t growing or flowering, as this way, they are disturbed less.

Simply dig them up and move them in the colder months to help ensure that they do not disturb their growth in the spring and summer months.

Other important tasks include adding compost, manure or grass clippings to the soil to help improve it going forward.