Gardening in Australia during the Autumn months is an rewarding experience. The cooler temperatures make it an ideal time for planting and tending to your garden before the cold weather sets in. There are a few key things to keep in mind for the Autumn Gardening Season but essentially the beginning of each season includes preparation for the next season too.
Autumn is the season of change from temperatures of our hot Summer & it‘s the perfect time to start planning and planting for the upcoming Autumn gardening season. With mild temperatures and plenty of sunshine, autumn is a great time to get a jump start on your garden. Whether you‘re a novice gardener or a seasoned green thumb, there are plenty of gardening activities to enjoy in Australia during the autumn months.
Soil Preparation
One of the most important gardening tasks to complete during autumn is soil preparation. As the weather gets cooler, it‘s important to make sure your soil has the nutrients it needs to support your plants through the months ahead. Consider adding organic matter such as compost and manure (not on native species) to increase its nutrient content but also to blanket the soil, maintaining temperatures. If you‘re looking for a quicker fix, consider fertiliser to give your soil an extra boost.
When it comes to planting during the autumn months, it’s important to not leave it too late in the season. Warmer areas don’t have to worry too much, until the Winter months arrive, when planting should be avoided until Spring. Drought-tolerant varieties of shrubs and trees (especially Native Species) are ideal for planting during this time of year.
Flowering Annuals
Many plants are best planted in the Spring, but there are still plenty of options for Autumn planting. Consider Pansy, Alyssum, Petunia, Polyanthus, Snapdragon, Dahlia just to name a few. Don’t worry about knowing which ones will work in your area because it’s always about what stock is available at your local nursery. Choose from the varieties available and remember to incorporate good soil, fertilizer and water saving crystals (where needed) when planting out to ensure success. In cooler regions consider planting bulbs now to enjoy through the winter months. Again, there are many to choose from with my favourites being Jonquil “Erlicheer”, Tulips of all colours, Daffodils & Dutch Iris.
Winter Produce
Hardy vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage do well when planted in the Autumn and will be ready for harvest through Winter and into Spring. Remember the Cabbage family including Brussel Sprouts will require netting in the warmer areas (until Winter sets in) & the White Butterfly is no longer a threat. Cooler regions of Australia can use Frost Cloth instead of netting to protect plantings but regardless of where you are, make sure the soil is covered with a thick layer of Sugarcane Mulch to maintain soil temperature.
Throughout autumn, it‘s important to stay on top of your garden maintenance. Autumn is the season when plants are preparing for winter, so to keep them healthy and strong give anything that could do with a little trim some attention & your garden will look fabulous all through Winter. Monitor your plants for signs of disease or pests and be sure to water throughout the cooler months too, should your garden miss out on rainfall.
Autumn is a great time for the garden. With plenty of sunshine and mild temperatures, autumn is the perfect time to prepare your soil, choose the right plants, and start planting. With a little bit of effort, you can have a beautiful garden all the way through Winter along with a thriving productive garden to keep your family healthy, warm and content.