Hero plant this month: Roses
Now’s the time to plan ahead, so why not invest in some roses. These are sold as bare rooted specimens, and come bagged for planting. While they are deciduous and don’t look pretty right now, after a few months in the ground they’ll come to life.
When you’re ready to plant, soak the roots in water for a day. It’s vital they don’t dry out. Once soaked, plant them in a spot that gets plenty of sun and in fertile, well-drained soil. Avoid fertilising until spring when the roses become established.
Roses are popular for their fragrance and beautiful flowers. They are also available as a climber, standard or bush variety.
What else to plant
There are plenty of other options to plant now too. Check out the range of deciduous trees, shrubs and climbers. Add a splash of colour with some daises, which are hardy, love a sunny spot and provide a great show of flowers. Lavender is another great choice to plant, with its perfumed foliage and flowers.
If the cold weather keeps you indoors bring the garden inside. On trend spathiphyllum or peace lily is a good choice. Try a ficus with its lush foliage to brighten your living room. Water once a week for good results.
Plant some edibles too. If you planted cabbage, onion or lettuce seeds last month they should have grown into seedlings ready to go into the garden. Plant in a sheltered spot until frosts have passed.
Maintenance
The winter months are all about planning and getting your garden into tip top condition. Cut back any dead or dying foliage from trees. Remove any dead branches and prune others to shape.
The lawn will be hibernating so hold off on the fertilising. A good tip is to keep it trimmed shorter than usual to reduce thatch. Don’t forget that weeds don’t rest in winter, keep vigilant and pull them out as soon as they appear.
Adding an extra thick layer of mulch to garden beds will help deter weeds and also protect soil and plant roots from the cold.
Any excess mulch can be raked away once your plants start to appear in the spring.
Harvest
It’s the perfect time to harvest fresh produce from your vegie patch. This time of year expect to harvest silverbeet, cabbages and rhubarb.
So make the most of your garden over the cooler months. After all of your hard work, you can go inside, put your feet up and enjoy your indoor garden.
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Start planting today
Check out the wide range of plants online or visit your local Bunnings Warehouse to find out how you can bring your garden to life.