Get planting trees and shrubs
Autumn garden tasks often begin with planting shrubs and evergreen trees across much of Australia. The days are cooler (much nicer for us!), but the soil is still warm, which is perfect for helping roots settle in and become established before next summer rolls around. Pick your spot, dig a hole the same depth as the pot but about twice as wide, and gently tease out any tangled roots. Mix quality compost through the backfill soil, plant, then give it a deep, settling drink. Keep an eye on moisture levels over the coming weeks and water when needed. Finish with a 5–7cm layer of The Garden Family Sugar Cane Mulch to lock in moisture and keep roots happy.
Prune summer bloomers
As summer eases into autumn, pruning becomes one of the key autumn garden tasks, and many flowering plants will welcome a light tidy-up. A gentle trim of geraniums, plumbago, abutilon and hibiscus will reshape plants and often spark a final, cheerful flush of blooms, especially if you follow up with a feed. Leave winter stars like camellias alone, as their buds are already forming. It’s also an ideal time to neaten bottlebrush, flowering gums and gardenias once flowering finishes. Remove spent kangaroo paw stems and any blackened leaves; large clumps can even be cut right back. Invite the kids to help collect prunings for the compost.
Start planting garlic
Garlic is satisfying to grow, but it is climate specific. Check with your local nursery for varieties best suited to your area. Autumn is planting time in most regions. Buy certified, virus-free bulbs and separate them into cloves just before planting. Choose a sunny spot with light, well-drained soil enriched with compost or aged manure; mound clay soils slightly to improve drainage. Plant cloves pointy end up, just below the surface, spacing them 10-15cm apart in rows 40cm apart. Cover the soil with 5-7cm of sugar cane mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Water lightly at first to prevent rot, then once shoots appear, keep plants consistently moist and feed every 4-6 weeks.
Savour the season – Silverbeet
Silverbeet is one of the most reliable leafy crops you can grow and a rewarding choice for your autumn garden tasks, producing glossy, nutrient-rich leaves for months on end. It’s packed with vitamins and grows reliably through the cooler season and into the warmer months, making it perfect for hearty family meals like spanakopita, soups and stir-fries. Harvest by picking the outer leaves first, cutting them cleanly at the base and leaving the centre intact so the plant keeps producing. Regular watering keeps foliage tender and sweet. Feed every four weeks and mulch well with sugar cane to protect roots and maintain even moisture. Treat it well and it will keep giving.
By focusing on these simple autumn garden tasks now, you’ll set your garden up for a strong, healthy season ahead. A little planting, pruning and preparation while the soil is still warm will reward you with better growth, stronger roots and a more resilient garden in the months to come.
