Brr-ace yourself

DON’T LEAVE YOUR GARDEN OUT IN THE COLD – THERE’S PLENTY YOU CAN DO TO GET IT READY FOR THE SEASON AHEAD

Words TAMMY HUYNH

When cool weather sets in, it’s so tempting to stay inside with a warm cuppa. But before you get too comfortable, spare a thought for the garden. Now’s a good time to get stuck into those outdoor jobs to ensure it’s looking lush and ready for action come spring.

Clean & clear

Clutter and mess make gardening harder than it needs to be. Don’t wait until spring to do a big clean, advises horticulturist Tyler Howard (@ thoward_hort). “Organise pots, tidy areas and sweep away debris from around the shed or greenhouse,” he says. “Give paths and benches a good clean with a high-pressure hose or stiff brush to remove algae and help prevent slippery surfaces.”

While you’re in the cleaning mood, remove all dead, damaged and diseased growth, fallen fruit and leaf litter, says Tyler. These can be broken up into small bits and added directly to the compost heap or discarded in green waste bins. Any diseased plant material can be disposed of in green waste, as council composting facilities should reach temperatures capable of killing most pathogens.

New opportunities

The garden may be looking a little bare now, but horticulturist and Scotts Osmocote ambassador

Melissa King says that this can be a blessing. “The bones and structure of a garden are often revealed in winter, so now is an ideal time to assess what is and isn’t working,” she says. “Pull out plants that aren’t up to scratch, fill bare spots with new and interesting plants and introduce splashes of colour where they are needed most.”

Ground breaking

For new plantings of deciduous trees, shrubs and roses, enrich the soil with plenty of organic matter, like a quality compost and soil improver. “Doing this will nourish and revitalise the soil, providing a strong foundation for plant growth – healthy soil means healthy plants,” says Melissa. “Get bare-rooted specimens into the garden as soon as possible because they don’t like their roots drying out.” And if you have no planting plans, Tyler suggests it’s still a good idea to improve the soil. “Apply plenty of manure and compost, such as cow manure and mushroom compost, for general garden areas, around perennials and throughout the vegetable beds. This provides insulation and warmth for the soil and feeds microbes, too,” he says.

Cold comforts

If you live in a frost-prone area, you will need to protect frost-sensitive plants, like seedlings, and trees and shrubs from subtropical or tropical climes. “If a frosty night is forecast, move tender plants to a warm, protected spot (if they are in pots) or cover them before dark with buckets, frost cloths, upturned pots or even cardboard boxes, and remove the coverings in the morning,” says Melissa. “Also, try to water the garden well before frost – moist soil holds onto more heat than dry soil.”

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