Winter Gardening Guide
Winter is nature’s resting time and a period of dormancy for many plants in the garden. However, for the keen gardener, there are many jobs to be done in the garden. Winter is an excellent time to plant trees and shrubs. Roses and fruit trees have arrived along with new seasons ornamental deciduous trees.
Roses


When pruning your established roses ensure that they are pruned to an outward facing bud to increase airflow through the centre and allow light to the base. Remove any dead, small or weak stems. A lime sulfur spray in winter will help protect them against fungal diseases that may appear in the spring.
Veggie Garden

Seedlings to be planted now: Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, spinach, silverbeet, lettuce, peas and broad beans.
Seeds to be planted now: Onions, snow peas, peas and broad beans.

Certified seed potatoes have also arrived. We stock a great range of popular varieties. Seed potatoes can be planted now in frost free areas or purchased now and stored until frosts have passed. Seed potatoes can be planted direct into garden beds, or potato planting bags are great if ground space is limited.
Rhubarb and asparagus crowns are in their dormant state and are ready to be planted through winter.

Green manure crops can still be planted in preparation for spring planting. Dig the crop through just before it flowers to add nitrogen back into the soil.
Fruit Trees and Other Edibles


If you have established summer fruiting raspberry canes you can now prune out all dead canes, as well as any weak canes. Whilst many deciduous fruit trees and edibles are dormant, it’s a great time to inspect for dead wood and disease, and prune and shape as required.
Ornamental Garden

Many varieties of camellias and azaleas commence flowering in winter, and now is the time to plant as new season stock arrives. Rhododendrons will start flowering from mid-winter and there are plenty of varieties to choose from.


Winter flowering potted colour includes:
Pansies, violas, stocks, primulas and polyanthus, snapdragon, poppies and sweet William.

Cineraria, cyclamen, lobelia, pansies, primulas, polyanthus, primrose, poppies, lupins and violas.
These will give colour in winter and through into spring, and can be either left in the garden to self seed, or replaced with spring flowering annuals.
Summer flowering bulbs can be planted now to enjoy vibrancy through the hotter months. Peony roses, dahlias, gladioli, liliums, hippeastrums, and lily of the valley are all available in store.
Maintenance

Deciduous ornamental trees can also be pruned now if required. We recommend sanitising your secateurs after each use, with diluted methylated spirits.

Click here to view our fruit tree spray program.

Click here to view our rose spray program.
Manure or compost can be dug into vacant beds in preparation for spring. Cow or sheep manure is great for improving soil structure and adding organic matter. Organic compost is also effective and can also be added on top of existing soil and act as a mulch, releasing organic matter into the soil as it breaks down.

There are also a range of different herbicides on the market including organic options, which can be used in other areas of the garden. Be sure to follow the product’s instructions.
Weedkiller for lawns can also be used now to control bindii and clover, using a selective herbicide such as Yates Weedkiller for Lawns. Get on top of weeds in lawns now, so that when spring arrives, they are easy to keep at bay.
Happy gardening!