THE garden doesn’t have to die down in winter.
Here in Australia, there’s still plenty going on.
Ensure your garden flourishes this cold season with expert tips from the team at Yates.
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READ NOWWinter planting
Winter is a peak time for planting roses, deciduous trees, summer bulbs (such as liliums) and perennials that die back in the cooler weather. Asparagus and rhubarb crowns are available too.
Winter pruning
Finish rose pruning before the end of winter. Prune grapevines and kiwi fruit before the sap starts to rise in spring.
Winter lawn
The lawn can get a bit miserable in winter and weeds start to take over. Get onto bindii as soon as you can. You’ll see the ferny leaves sprouting among the grass and it’s important to destroy these annoying plants before they flower and seed. The seed pods are the problem – each is equipped with a sharp, painful barb that gets picked up and carried further afield. The good news is that when you’re treating bindii you’ll also get rid of other broad-leafed weeds such as dandelions and clover. The middle of winter is a good time to apply lime to the lawn. This sweetens the soil and ultimately makes the grass happier.
Winter pests
Snails and slugs love the cooler weather. They come out of their hiding places and go on the hunt for soft foliage. Take particular care with winter vegies, emerging bulb shoots and stems of winter flowering plants. Orchids are favoured food too, so it’s a good idea to sprinkle some pellets into the base of each plant.