Around the Garden
Courtesy of our friendly Horticulturist, Juanita:
Welcome to the best time of the year—well its my favourite time in the garden anyway. With the very dry summer that we have had, Autumn colour has already started to show throughout the garden and the leaves are slowly turning.
Gardening in autumn is a fantastic opportunity to prepare for the cooler months while still enjoying some reasonable weather. Here are some useful Autumn time gardening tips that you may or may not have thought about.
1. Planting and Harvesting:
Vegetables: Autumn is a great time to plant cool-season vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, broad beans, spinach, garlic and carrots. You can also sow radishes and turnips, as they grow quickly in cooler weather and are great for tasty soup!
Herbs: Plant hardy herbs such as parsley, thyme, rosemary, and mint, which thrive in the cooler season.
Fruit Trees: Autumn is a good time to plant bare-rooted fruit trees like apples, pears, plums, and cherries. If you have fruit trees, it's time to pick the last of your summer fruits like apples and pears before the weather cools too much or those pesky possums have a feed on the last of your crop!
Remember to come and stock up on some rhododendrons from Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden now! Take them home and plant them out straight away, no need to have them sitting around in pots when now is the perfect time to be planting out. Reminder that all members receive a 10% discount on plant purchases.
2. Soil Care:
Composting: Autumn leaves and plant material are great for composting. Add them to your compost bin along with kitchen scraps, and ensure your soil gets the organic matter it needs to thrive.
Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around your plants to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and protect plant roots from the colder weather.
Soil Improvement: Use autumn to work in compost or well-rotted manure to improve soil structure and nutrient levels before winter.
3. Pruning and Maintenance:
Pruning: it’s common to wait until winter to prune deciduous fruit trees like apple, pear and stone fruit. However, with established trees you can prune in Autumn once fruiting has finished. This reduces vigorous vegetative growth and allows plants to focus on flowering and fruiting in Spring. Pruning helps prevent disease and encourages healthy growth for the next season.
Cleaning: Clear up fallen leaves, dead plants, and any debris around your garden. This helps prevent the spread of pests and diseases.
Cut Back Perennials: Cut back perennials like lavender and sage to encourage fresh growth in spring.
4. Pest and Disease Management:
Inspect Plants: Keep an eye out for pests like aphids, slugs, and snails as they become more active in autumn.
Fungal Diseases: If you notice signs of fungal diseases like powdery mildew, treat plants promptly to minimize damage before the cold sets in.
By preparing in autumn, you’ll be setting yourself up for a successful and vibrant garden in the spring and summer months!
