Your winter garden may still feel the chill, but it’s the perfect time to get ahead. Prepare vegie beds, tidy hedges, and rejuvenate perennials now for a lush, productive spring.
Winter garden task one: Prepare your garden beds for spring vegies
Spring’s on the way, and that means it’s time to prep your garden beds for planting tasty vegies like tomatoes, zucchinis, cucumbers and beans. It’s a great family job for the weekend! Start by pulling out weeds and clearing away any spent crops. Next, spread a generous layer of compost over the soil about 3-5cm thick. Sprinkle over a quality organic fertiliser to give your new crops the nutrients they need to thrive. Then finish off with a topping of The Garden Family Sugar Cane Mulch to keep the soil moist and stop weeds from sneaking back in.
Winter garden task two: Cut back and rejuvenate hedges
Late winter is the perfect time to give overgrown or tired hedges a good cut back and reshape if needed. Whether it’s a formal murraya hedge or an informal lilly pilly screen, a good prune now will help rejuvenate tired overgrown plants and encourage fresh, healthy growth. Don’t be afraid to cut firmly – by 1/3 if needed – most hedges will bounce back beautifully with the arrival of spring. After pruning, give plants a boost with a dose of organic fertiliser, a deep watering, and a layer of The Garden Family Red Chip or Black Chip Mulch to lock in moisture and support strong regrowth. Come spring, you’ll be rewarded with lots of lush, leafy growth and a great looking garden!
Winter garden task three: Lift and divide clumping perennials
Late winter is a great time to lift and divide clumping perennials to keep them healthy and productive. Common plants like daylilies, agapanthus, society garlic, and clivias (bush lily) can become overcrowded and benefit from a fresh start. Use a sharp spade to slice through clumps, keeping several roots and shoots on each division. Before replanting, improve the soil with compost to give your plants a strong start. Water in well and finish with a layer of The Garden Family Tea Tree mulch to hold in moisture and suppress weeds. Come spring, your newly divided perennials will burst into vigorous leafy growth and vibrant flowers.
Here are some more winter gardening tips if you’re super keen like us!
Sow spring vegie seeds indoors – Start tomatoes, chillies, capsicums and eggplants in trays or greenhouses to get a head start before the weather warms.
Plant cool-season crops – Still time to direct sow spinach, kale, lettuce, snow peas, onions and silverbeet in many regions.
Feed citrus trees – Citrus are hungry now. Use an organic citrus fertiliser and water in well to support flowering and fruit set.
Top up mulch – Reapply sugar cane, bark or tea tree mulch to keep soil warm, reduce evaporation and suppress weeds.
Divide perennials – Lift and divide overcrowded clumping plants like agapanthus, daylilies and society garlic to refresh growth.
Check for sneaky pests – Look under leaves for aphids or scale insects, especially on brassicas and citrus. Treat early with eco-friendly sprays.
Sharpen garden tools – Clean and sharpen secateurs, spades and shears to prepare for spring growth and pruning.
Prepare compost for spring – Turn and moisten your compost heap to get it breaking down in time for spring planting.
Tidy garden beds – Clear spent crops, trim back dead foliage and remove weeds to make space for new growth.
