Autumn Gardening Guide
Autumn is a great time to plant. The soil holds more moisture and the weather is mild.
When planting trees and shrubs at this time of year they have an opportunity to establish a good root system through the winter and spring before the hot and dry conditions of summer return. In drier areas, to give plants the best chance of thriving, use water crystals in the bottom of the hole when planting. The water crystals swell and retain moisture and gradually release moisture as the soil dries out.
Autumn is also a great time of year to improve the soil. Adding organic matter provides nutrients to plants that they may have used up during spring and summer. You can do this by adding compost or composted animal manures.
Bulbs
Spring flowering bulbs become available to plant in autumn. Bulbs include daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, freesia's, ixia, snowdrops, bluebells, ranunculi's, and dutch iris, to name a few. Many spring flowering bulbs are suitable for planting in pots. A premium bulb potting mix should be used.
Be sure to follow instructions on bulb packets as to what depth they should be planted.
Tulips and hyacinths can be placed in the fridge crisper for a couple of weeks prior to planting to improve flowering if you are in a warmer area.
Veggie Gardens
Autumn is an important time in the vegetable garden. With the onset of the cooler weather, the white cabbage moth starts to disappear and so it is therefore the main time to plant your Brassica seedlings for winter and early spring maturity. This group of plants includes broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale and brussel sprouts. Other seedlings that can be planted are beetroot, celery, lettuce, peas, silverbeet, swedes and spinach. We have a range of Asian vegetables also available. Seeds can also be sown of broadbeans, carrots, parsnips, peas, radish and turnips.
Tassie grown purple garlic is available to plant from late March to winter. A far superior tasting garlic to what you would purchase at the supermarket. Plant the cloves 10-15cm apart and add lime if your soil is acidic. Other varieties of garlic are also available in autumn and winter.
Autumn is the time to sow green manure seed. Green manure crops feed your worms and soil. The legumes add nitrogen to the soil, and the mustard and brassicas help to control nematodes. Incorporate into the soil 4 or 5 weeks prior to planting. Don’t let the crop run to seed.
New seasons fruit trees will be arriving soon, so you can now order from our catalogue for winter delivery. Holes can be prepared to a depth of approximately 40cm and compost or manure added to enrich the soil.
Cyclamen
New seasons cyclamen have now arrived into the nursery. These showy free flowering plants provide months of colour for both in and outside the house. When inside, cyclamen prefer a bright airy room that is not too warm. They make excellent outside pot plants and are not bothered by the cold.
Ornamental Garden
Chandlers Nursery carries a great range of ornamental trees and shrubs. New stock arrives on a weekly basis so our varieties are constantly changing. There is always something new and exciting arriving to broaden our range of both native and exotic plants. If you want to add some autumn coloured foliage to your garden, then April and May is the time to come and visit us. Japanese Maples are perfect for the smaller suburban garden and their colour is brilliant at this time of year. We have many varieties and forms to choose from.
If you want colour in your garden for winter and early spring, flower seedling should be planted in autumn. We always carry a large range of pansy and violas which are long flowering and also perfect for pots. Other varieties available include alyssum, cineraria, dianthus, nemesia, primula, polyanthus, poppy and sweet William.
New seasons roses will be arriving soon, and can also be ordered now. Garden beds can be prepared with compost and manure added and mixed through the soil ready for planting.