3 Must-do Garden Tasks- December

As summer heats up in December, Australian gardens need a bit of extra care to thrive in the sun. This month is all about helping plants stay hydrated, keeping the soil cool, and making the most of the season’s warmth to grow fresh produce. Here are three essential gardening tasks to ensure your garden stays lush, productive, and full of colour throughout the summer.

#1 Keep fruit trees well-watered
When conditions get hot and dry, give your fruit trees a good, deep soak to keep them growing strong and producing well. Deep watering encourages a deep root system that helps the trees handle the heat. Top it off with a layer of sugarcane mulch to lock in that moisture and keep the soil cool and hydrated for longer.

#2 Trim woody herbs
Mediterranean herbs like rosemary, sage, and thyme love a regular light trim! It keeps them compact, bushy, and bursting with fresh leaves. Let them go too long, and they’ll get scraggly, with bare stems underneath. If you’re not ready to use the trimmings, just dry them in a paper bag, then store in a sealed jar for handy kitchen use.

#3 Move pots and hanging baskets
When the heat is on, heat-sensitive potted plants and hanging baskets need extra care. Consider moving the most sensitive to a cool, bright spot, and keep a close eye on watering. If the potting mix has dried out, use a wetting agent (available at garden centres) to rehydrate it, then add a layer of sugarcane mulch on top to lock in moisture.