Winter gardening tips
As winter approaches, many gardeners may begin to slow down the maintenance of their lawns and gardens. While the cold weather can mean taking a step back from needing to mow your lawn as frequently, there’s still plenty of winter gardening to be done.
Some winter gardening tips include pruning out dead or damaged branches, cleaning up fallen leaves, and planting spring bulbs in preparation for warmer weather ahead. You may also want to keep a lookout for pests. It can be risky to do landscaping yourself, it’s better to call in the gardening experts at Jim’s Mowing can set up your winter garden.
Whether you’re new to gardening or are an experienced green thumb simply looking to refresh your knowledge for the upcoming season, we’ve compiled some helpful winter gardening tips to get you excited for the months ahead. Read on to learn more about what gardening should be done in the winter.
Prune, prune, prune
Spend some time pruning any dead leaves or branches from your plants and trees in winter. This will help them to grow more effectively come springtime. Winter pruning is particularly important for roses and deciduous trees. Other trees to prune during the winter months include frangipanis, gardenias, hydrangeas, and ornamentals.
Get mulching
Mulching is key for keeping your garden beds healthy and preventing weeds from taking over. By applying a layer of organic mulch to your garden in the winter, you’ll be protecting your plants from frosts and sudden cold snaps. This is particularly important in cooler, southern states that experience very chilly winters.
Winter veggies to grow
A few vegetables do quite well in winter, such as cauliflower, brussels sprouts, carrots, garlic, radishes, and lettuce. Radishes can grow even when temperatures are below freezing, so if you’re keen for some fresh produce before the onset of summer, try growing them in your winter garden. While not a vegetable, strawberries can also be grown during the wintertime.
Revitalise the veggie patch
Winter is also a good time to give your veggie garden a bit of a refresh. This can include mixing compost through the soil and pulling out any plants that have died off. You may also like to use this time to plan out the plants you wish to grow in the following spring.
Plant some herbs
While many plants won’t do very well when grown in the winter, there are a few herbs that thrive during this time. Winter herbs to grow include thyme, rosemary, mint, and sage. Herbs can be grown directly in the ground or in containers for portability. If you want to keep herbs like mint from growing wildly and spreading out, plant them in containers and pots.
Fertilise citrus trees
Citrus trees produce their fruits during the cooler months, so winter is a good time to feed these trees with a citrus fertiliser. This should help give your trees more energy to produce more fruit, providing you with plenty of delicious citrus for the season.
Water wisely
It’s important to water plants during the winter, but be careful not to overdo it as this can lead to root rot. Stick to watering only when necessary and always check the soil before watering to make sure it is dry. If possible, set up drip irrigation so you can set the watering schedule in advance and won’t need to worry about it.
Grow indoor microgreens
If you’re looking to grow some edible plants indoors during the winter, consider microgreens. Microgreens can be grown on a kitchen bench, and are packed full of nutritional benefits. One great thing about microgreens is that they don’t need to be grown within soil. Instead, try sprouting them on a growing mat for a no-mess solution. Microgreens grow quickly, so you won’t need to wait long to enjoy them!
Prepare your veggie seeds
The cooler months can be perfect for preparing the veggies you want to begin growing in the spring. This can include planting capsicum or tomato seeds in a warm spot, letting them grow into seedlings before transferring them to the veggie patch when the weather heats up.
Plant bulbs
Bulbs are great to plant in the winter, as they will then begin to sprout in the early spring. Some of the best bulbs to plant during winter are tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths. Place them directly in the ground or within pots for small pops of colour around your garden or patio.
Do some weeding
Another tip for gardening in winter in Australia is to get on top of weed production before the spring comes. This could include weeding your garden beds, and lawn, and pulling out any problem plants that appear between pavers and in concrete cracks. Take an active role in weeding during the winter to ensure you have a manageable garden once the weather warms up!
While it can be a period of slowed growth, there are still plenty of jobs to do during the winter. With these winter gardening tips in mind, you’re sure to make the most of your garden this season and prepare yourself for a fruitful spring and summer.
Let us help you maintain your garden all year round with Jim’s Mowing expert gardening services. Call us today!
