Garden calandar for the NSW Southern Highlands
The Southern Highlands of New South Wales, is a favourite of residents and visitors alike. If you're lucky enough to call this place home, or if you're planning to call this home, you'll need to know how to care for your garden throughout the four distinct seasons we enjoy each year. Here's a high level garden maintenance calendar for each of the different seasons. But give us a call, we'll be happy to talk through this more with you and help keep your property looking its best, without the hard work for you.
Spring (September to November)
As winter's chill gives way to the warmth of spring, the garden comes alive with colours and scents. Spring is the perfect time to start rejuvenating your outdoor oasis:
Planting: Introduce new annuals, bulbs, and perennials into your garden. Consider bright flowers like daffodils, tulips, and irises to add a splash of colour.
Pruning: Before the last frost, take the time to prune roses and other flowering shrubs. Proper pruning will encourage healthy growth and abundant blooms in the coming months.
Fertilising: Give your garden beds a boost by applying a balanced fertiliser. This will provide essential nutrients to support vigorous growth throughout the season.
Weeding and Mulching: Tend to pesky weeds and mulch your garden beds. Mulching not only suppresses weed growth but also helps retain moisture in the soil.
Irrigation: Check your irrigation systems and adjust watering schedules as the days grow longer and warmer. Adequate watering is crucial for a thriving garden.
Planting: Introduce new annuals, bulbs, and perennials into your garden. Consider bright flowers like daffodils, tulips, and irises to add a splash of colour.
Pruning: Before the last frost, take the time to prune roses and other flowering shrubs. Proper pruning will encourage healthy growth and abundant blooms in the coming months.
Fertilising: Give your garden beds a boost by applying a balanced fertiliser. This will provide essential nutrients to support vigorous growth throughout the season.
Weeding and Mulching: Tend to pesky weeds and mulch your garden beds. Mulching not only suppresses weed growth but also helps retain moisture in the soil.
Irrigation: Check your irrigation systems and adjust watering schedules as the days grow longer and warmer. Adequate watering is crucial for a thriving garden.
Autumn (March to May)
As the days grow shorter and cooler, it's time to prepare your garden for the upcoming winter:
Planting: Embrace the autumn spirit by planting cool-season vegetables and flowers. Cabbages, kale, and pansies are excellent choices for this season.
Harvest and Clean-Up: Clear out any spent plants and harvest the last of your summer crops. Make space for new growth in the coming months.
Mulching and Composting: Rake up fallen leaves and use them for composting or as additional mulch for your garden beds.
Pruning: Trim back overgrown branches and shrubs to maintain the shape and health of your garden.
Transplanting: Divide and transplant perennials as needed to rejuvenate and expand your garden.
Planting: Embrace the autumn spirit by planting cool-season vegetables and flowers. Cabbages, kale, and pansies are excellent choices for this season.
Harvest and Clean-Up: Clear out any spent plants and harvest the last of your summer crops. Make space for new growth in the coming months.
Mulching and Composting: Rake up fallen leaves and use them for composting or as additional mulch for your garden beds.
Pruning: Trim back overgrown branches and shrubs to maintain the shape and health of your garden.
Transplanting: Divide and transplant perennials as needed to rejuvenate and expand your garden.
Summer (December to February)
Summer brings its own set of challenges, but with a little care, your garden can continue to thrive:
Watering: With the temperature rising, make sure to water your plants regularly, especially during hot and dry spells. Early morning or late evening watering is best to minimize water evaporation.
Deadheading: Keep your flowers looking fresh and vibrant by removing faded blooms. Deadheading encourages continuous flowering and promotes healthier growth.
Mulching: Top up mulch in your garden beds to retain moisture and keep the soil cool during hotter days.
Pest and Disease Management: Regularly inspect your plants for signs of pests and diseases. Swift action can prevent these issues from spreading and damaging your garden.
Heat Protection: Provide shade and protection to delicate plants during extreme weather to shield them from sunburn.
Watering: With the temperature rising, make sure to water your plants regularly, especially during hot and dry spells. Early morning or late evening watering is best to minimize water evaporation.
Deadheading: Keep your flowers looking fresh and vibrant by removing faded blooms. Deadheading encourages continuous flowering and promotes healthier growth.
Mulching: Top up mulch in your garden beds to retain moisture and keep the soil cool during hotter days.
Pest and Disease Management: Regularly inspect your plants for signs of pests and diseases. Swift action can prevent these issues from spreading and damaging your garden.
Heat Protection: Provide shade and protection to delicate plants during extreme weather to shield them from sunburn.
Winter (June to August)
Though winter may be a quieter time for your garden, it still requires some attention and care:
Pruning: With deciduous plants in their dormant phase, it's the perfect time for pruning. Shape your trees and shrubs, but avoid heavy pruning as it can stimulate new growth susceptible to frost damage.
Planting: Continue to plant cool-season flowers and vegetables, such as primroses and snow peas.
Clearing Debris: Remove any dead or diseased plant material to prevent pests and diseases from overwintering.
Frost Protection: Shield tender plants from frost by covering them with frost cloth or moving potted plants indoors during severe cold spells.
Preparing for Spring: As winter winds down, start planning and preparing for the next season. Clean and organise your garden tools and equipment to be ready for the upcoming tasks.
Pruning: With deciduous plants in their dormant phase, it's the perfect time for pruning. Shape your trees and shrubs, but avoid heavy pruning as it can stimulate new growth susceptible to frost damage.
Planting: Continue to plant cool-season flowers and vegetables, such as primroses and snow peas.
Clearing Debris: Remove any dead or diseased plant material to prevent pests and diseases from overwintering.
Frost Protection: Shield tender plants from frost by covering them with frost cloth or moving potted plants indoors during severe cold spells.
Preparing for Spring: As winter winds down, start planning and preparing for the next season. Clean and organise your garden tools and equipment to be ready for the upcoming tasks.