Autumn is the ideal time to focus on your garden landscaping, particularly as the weather cools and it becomes much more pleasant to undertake the important tasks that will make your garden vibrant when Spring returns.
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Here are some helpful Autumn gardening tips for Australian gardens.
Fertilise your lawn
Autumn is the best time to give your lawn a good feed, as the cooler nights have slowed down the growth of your grass but the roots are still thriving in the warm soil. These are ideal conditions for lawn repair, particularly with a slow-release fertiliser that will help develop thicker grass and stronger roots. Fertilising your lawn will also protect it from the cold Winter months that are just around the corner.
Prune your trees
This is another task that is best carried out in Autumn when your trees and plants are crying out for a nice trim. There are three main reasons to prune:
- To remove dead and diseased wood
- To promote greater flowering and fruit
- To give you a shapely and more attractive plant
Before you start pruning, make sure you have sharp tools, as blunt cutting implements will tear and bruise your plants in a way that will make it harder for them to heal. It can also help to dip your tools in bleach or disinfectant between pruning each plant, as this will prevent diseases from spreading throughout your garden. Most importantly, the general rule is to not cut off more than a third of any plant.
Plant bulbs in your flower beds
Autumn gardening is essentially about making your garden ready for its golden hour when Spring returns, which is why the planting of bulbs is so important. They’re the best way to add a dazzling splash of colour to your garden as the calendar turns and the countdown to Christmas begins.
There are a vast array of bulbs to choose from, in many different sizes and colours. They’re also very easy to plant, as long as you find a spot with plenty of sunlight. You only need to place them twice as deep as the bulb’s height, then add some compost.
If you’re looking for more colour in your garden, plant a variety of bulbs from blue bells to daffodils and tulips.
Collect the fallen leaves from your garden
By the middle of Autumn, the beauty of the colourful leaves in your trees becomes something of a hassle as they drift to the ground and give you one of your biggest gardening tasks. It’s tempting to leave them there, but it’s important to the overall health of your garden that the leaves are collected, otherwise they will smother your lawn and plants.
They do provide you with a great opportunity, though. Instead of placing the leaves in the bin, store them so they will turn into great compost that will help your garden flourish.
Be careful not to over-water
This piece of advice depends largely on where you live. In the north of Australia, the wet season will be receding by the start of Autumn, so you’ll need to increase the level of garden watering. In the south, however, you need to ease off on the amount of water you give your plants. Check and update the timing and frequency on any automatic irrigation systems. Too much water can be just as damaging to your garden as too little.
What tips for Autumn gardening can you share? Let us know in the comments section below!
