Get your garden ready for winter

As the leaves start to fall, it's important to keep your garden tidy. Using a sturdy garden rake is a great way to keep on top of daily maintenance in smaller areas. For larger areas or a lot of leaf fall, a leaf blower or vacuum is a great investment that will speed up the process and make it easier.

Different leaf types require different disposal methods. Most leaves can be composted or disposed of through your council green waste bin. If you have a lot of leaves, you can use a lawnmower to break the leaves down before placing them in your green waste bin, making more space.

Alternatively, you can put your leaves to work by using them as mulch. (They’re loaded with healthy nutrients your plants will love.) Simply spread the excess leaves around your garden beds to help retain moisture and suppress weed growth.

Frost can be a real problem for plants during the winter months. Fortunately, there are a few easy steps you can take to protect them. Applying mulch around larger potted plants acts as an insulator and blanket to keep them warm. Wrapping the pots loosely in plastic film can also provide a protective barrier to reduce the stress of temperature fluctuations.

Tip: Remember to remove the film once the weather starts to warm up again.

To protect smaller plants from frost, there are a few different methods to consider, which aim to keep plants warm and provide the optimum environment for survival. Placing old plastic containers over them, moving them indoors, wrapping them in hessian, or keeping them in a greenhouse are all great options.

Greenhouses are especially helpful because they provide a controlled environment that extends the growing season, allowing you to grow crops earlier and for longer, regardless of outdoor weather conditions.

Bare rooted plants are exactly what their name suggests – plants that come with their roots bare from soil or containers. Winter is the perfect time for planting, as they're dormant and easier to transport. When planting, select a pot that's at least twice the size of the root system. Fill it with a potting mix and create a small mound of soil in the centre. Spread the roots over the mound and fill in the soil around the roots. Once done, water your plant thoroughly and place it in a sunny area. Make sure you keep the soil moist and monitor for any signs of stress.

If you’re planting in a garden or vegie bed, dig a hole that is twice as wide and just as deep as the tree's roots. Make sure the hole is deep enough to accommodate the entire root system without bending or crowding the roots. Position the tree in the centre of the hole and spread out the roots. The graft union (the knob on the trunk where the tree was grafted onto the rootstock) should be 10cm above the soil line. Fill the hole with soil, making sure to gently press down to eliminate any air pockets. Give the newly planted tree a deep watering to settle the soil around the roots.

For plants with a canopy much larger than the root ball, trim back any excess leaves so the plant can focus its energy on producing new, healthy growth when spring comes around. This is also a great time to prune any deciduous trees in your garden for the same reason. Plus, it's easier to see their true shape without foliage.

Winter doesn't have to mean a drab and dreary garden. Adding a pop of colour is easy with hardy annuals like pansies, cyclamens, and winter jasmine. Winter jasmine is particularly popular, not only for its gorgeous buttery yellow flowers, but its strong scent also repels mosquitoes, flies, and other pesky insects.

If you're looking to save some money, try growing your plants from seeds. This is a fun project to do with kids, and they'll enjoy watching the seeds change as they grow. Use a seedling heat mat and seed tray to get started. Make sure to keep your plant babies out of harsh weather conditions, and you'll have a great supply of seedlings ready to go come springtime.

Garden lighting is an easy and cost-effective way to add a touch of magic to your outdoor space. In addition to extending the use of your garden during the shorter winter days, garden lighting can also provide an extra layer of safety and security to your property. There are plenty of styles and types of outdoor lighting to choose from, including solar-powered and sensor lights.

By strategically placing garden lights, you can create areas of interest by highlighting feature trees, pathways, and garden edging. Festoon lights, fairy lights, lamps, and spotlights are great options for illuminating entertainment areas.

With the right care and attention, you can grow a variety of winter vegetables and herbs that will continue to produce throughout the season. Some great options for winter vegetables include kale, carrots, cauliflower, and cabbage.

Additionally, perennial herbs like rosemary, chives, sage, oregano, and thyme are tough enough to survive the winter and provide delicious flavour to your meals. Be sure not to over-pick them during this time, as they need to conserve energy to survive. For other herbs that are less hardy (like basil, mint and parsley), consider growing them in indoor pots near natural light. With a little effort, you can have a thriving winter garden that provides fresh and healthy ingredients for your cooking.