4 Garden Problems We See After Winter (And How to Fix Them)

1. Sunken Patios and Paving

Winter frost and heavy rain can cause paving to shift, particularly if the base layer wasn’t installed correctly.

Water gets beneath the slabs, freezes, expands, and slowly pushes paving out of level.

What to look for

• Wobbly slabs

• Visible dips in patios or paths

• Standing water on paving

How to fix it

Small areas can sometimes be lifted and re-laid, but widespread sinking usually means the base layer needs rebuilding properly.

2. Waterlogged Lawns

After months of rain, many gardens struggle with drainage problems.

Clay soils in particular hold water, leaving lawns soggy and difficult to use.

Common causes

• Compacted soil

• Poor garden grading

• Blocked drainage routes

Possible solutions

• Lawn aeration

• Improving drainage

• Regrading or installing proper drainage systems

3. Damaged Turf and Bare Patches

 Heavy use over winter, pets, and water-logging can leave lawns patchy by spring.

Before the growing season begins is the best time to repair damaged areas.

Options include:

• overseeding

• turf repair

• full lawn replacement for heavily damaged gardens.

4. Poor Garden Drainage

Many garden problems trace back to poor drainage.

Signs include:

• constant puddles

• water flowing toward the house

• muddy planting beds

Drainage solutions may involve:

• French drains

• soak-aways

• regrading garden levels

Fixing drainage early prevents long-term damage to lawns, patios, and structures.

Spring is the best time to tackle these issues before the garden gets heavy use in summer.

If you've noticed any of these problems in your garden, our team can assess the cause and recommend the best long-term solution.

👉 Contact Wilkinsons Landscapes to arrange a site visit.