Winter has arrived and there’s plenty to do in the garden! As much as we’d like to stay curled up indoors by the fire, our gardens need a lot of love at this time of year.
The reward will be a healthy backyard full of thriving, colourful blooms come springtime!
Seasonal tips for the garden
Head down to your local nursery! Bare root stock is usually cheaper than the potted or wrapped versions sold later in the year, so take advantage and grab a bargain.
Test your garden’s watering systems to give yourself ample time to fix any faults before the warmer weather returns.
Keep your plants protected from frost by moving pots to sheltered positions, draping shade cloth over sensitive species and leaving dead foliage on the plant to cover the crowns of the plant from frost setting,
Dahlias and clumps of violets can be lifted and divided. The best flowers are usually on younger stock. Rhubarb is another dormant plant which will benefit from dividing every 3-4 years.
Prune and spray your orchard trees for fungus and pests. Be careful to prune the right wood as you may cut off the coming seasons crop!
Onions, leeks and broad beans are ready for planting in July, and strawberries can be dug and divided for the coming season.
Keep fertilising. Remember – bulbs, citrus, camellia, daphne and all your annuals are still growing!
FUN FACT
If you water your plants with warm (but not boiling) water, it will maintain or increase the soil temperature, keeping the plant active for longer!
Let’s talk about MULCH!
Mulching is on the agenda this month as it creates an insulating barrier between the soil and air, protecting plants from rapid fluctuations in soil temperature.
When it comes to mulching in winter, we’ve got a few important points to keep in mind:
🌳 Don’t mulch too close to your tree trunks. Continuous moisture around the trunk can cause it to rot.
🌳 Large organic matter mulches (leaf, barks, woodchips) starve your plants of nitrogen in the early stages of decomposition. This results in yellowing of the leaves and poor growth. Make sure your mulch is a few months old before use, or sprinkle a fast-acting fertiliser over the area before mulching to counteract this effect.
🌳 If you’re looking for a cost-effective way to cover larger areas, try using straw of lucerne bales.
How to care for your lawn in winter
Lawns are not to be neglected in winter! Just like everything else in the garden, if you put in some effort during the cooler months, you can make your lawn look lush and vibrant ready for spring. Here’s our top tips:
🌾 Weeds are crafty creatures! During winter, they take full advantage of a lawn’s weakened state. Choose a herbicide that sends these invaders on their way – without causing any damage. Always read the label to ensure the chemical is suitable for your grass variety.
🌾 Grass grows slower in the cooler months, so mow less frequently, and raise the mowing height to prevent scalping and browning.
🌾 Your lawn is taking a well-deserved nap during winter while your soil remains moist, so it’s a good idea to adjust your water regime. Unless the grass looks very dry, don’t water your lawn. If you must do so, try to get it done early in the morning.
🌾 If you have a warm season grass like buffalo, kikuyu or couch, you can overseed it with annual ryegrass to keep it green in the dormant months. It will die off in the summer when your normal grass is back and growing again. You can also spray a pigment dye to keep it green!
The Fold Southern Highlands have put together an Essential Spring Guide with our top tips for gardening this season.
