Some people just have beautiful gardens year-round. You know the people; the ones who can keep their grass soft and vibrantly green even on the hottest January days, and their gardens colourful in frost-ridden winter months.
With the dramatic Australian climate of scorching hot, dry summers and winters full of rain, wind and chill there are a bunch of considerations even the best gardeners should know. Whilst landscaping your garden may seem to come naturally to the green-thumbs of the world, there are plenty of tips you can use to ensure your garden will be ever-green.
Winter Gardening
Basically, everything you do in winter is preparing your garden to flourish as soon as it hits September 1. These protective measures make sure your plants are protected from frost, disease and can grow their roots so they will be strong for summer. Here are some of the most important things you can do to winter-proof your garden:
- Prune
This is the time for pruning. Not only will it refresh your plant, but it will make sure that come springtime, your plants are full and lush. Winter is a crucial time to prune roses, hydrangeas, fruit trees and wisteria, and will ensure they are flowering at their brightest as the temperature rises.
- Feed
Plants, like us, need food. With the additional winter challenges of frost and wind, think of high-quality plant food like a flu-shot to give your plants immunity to the winter weather. This is especially important for citruses and grasses.
- Plant
Spending a day in the garden during winter may not sound like your ideal Saturday, but the pay-off will be big. With winter the ideal time to plant many varieties of fruits and vegetables. Carrots, spring onions, leeks, radishes, spinach, peas, asparagus, rhubarb and strawberries are all great varieties for winter planting.
- Remove
Getting rid of any dead stems and branches will keep your plants healthy over winter. Removing leaf litter as well will decrease the chance disease and insect eggs affecting the growth of your plants.
Despite the conditions, many plants actually look their best during winter. Try picking the classic spring bulbs and native varieties for fully, colourful flowerbeds that can withstand that morning frost. If you are wanting something on a larger scale, evergreen trees are an obvious choice for a beautiful tree all year-round.
Summer Gardening
In summer your garden will still be in its spring prime, but the scorching summer sun can quickly make it turn. Here are some key tips to keep your garden green and fresh:
- Shade
Just like us, the sun can effectively burn your plants. When their leaves begin to dry out and brown they, also like us, need water and shade. Move pot plants to a sheltered area, and try to shade your garden beds as much as possible.
- Water
With the increase in dry heat over summer, step up your watering to as much as twice a day. Make sure to water your plants both early in the morning and late in the afternoon/evening. This gives your plants and soil a chance to absorb the water before the heat kicks in.
- Mulch
Early in the season, before the heat becomes too sweltering, make sure to mulch your garden. This prevents water loss from evaporation and will ensure your plants have all the vitamins and nutrients they need.