Autumn has arrived which marks the beginning of a new gardening cycle – it’s the perfect time to tidy up and rejuvenate your garden to prepare for the seasons ahead.
The Easter long weekend is a great opportunity to spend time working around the home and is the perfect time to get in the garden and plant citrus, natives and perennials. Because South Australia has a Mediterranean-like climate, it means that Autumn is one of the best times to plant because air temperatures have cooled but soil temperatures are still warm, allowing plants time to get established before the Summer heat arrives again.
Gardeners all agree there are some simple jobs that should be done in autumn to ensure your garden is ready for the cooler months to ensure it will thrive throughout spring and summer.
Here are some top tips to make the best of your garden:
- Aerate your soil – garden beds and lawns both thrive with aeration. Loosening the soil helps encourage deeper and stronger root growth and also assists water to penetrate the lower levels. It’s simple to do by inserting a garden fork as far as you can into the soil and gently move it back and forth. Your soil will love you for it.
- Pruning and trimming – be sure to trim your hedges before the onset of winter to keep them compact and bushy. By pruning your roses you could even promote a final autumnal flush of blooms. Pruning helps to improve the health and appearance of your plants and promotes healthy growth.
- Fertilise – feed your whole garden and lawn during autumn with an organic based fertiliser. Try to feed it on a cool day and be sure to water it in well, or if you can, time the feed before a decent rain and you can let the rain wash it in for you. You can also make your own fertiliser by making your own compost – there are plenty of resources online to help you choose the best option for you.
- Mulching – mulching helps the soil hold in moisture and helps to keep weeds down too. An organic mulch will be your garden’s best friend and will improve your soil with its natural nutrients.
- Planting and Transplanting – autumn is the best time to transplant because plants will experience less shock as the soil is still warm and the days are quite cool – a bit of seaweed tonic also helps them transition to their new home. Autumn is also a great time to plant bulbs in your garden – just be sure to choose a spot with plenty of sunlight and they’ll reward you in spring when they flourish with a bright splash of colour. This is also the perfect time to plant citrus trees – all they need is full sun, good drainage and plenty of room to grow – but living in the Hills you may want to select an early-ripening variety to ensure a sweet, flavoursome crop.
There are so many things you can do to help your garden thrive, but if you’re not sure where to start, you can speak to your local gardening centre or do some online research. Here are some good spots to start:
The Autumn Garden Guide by Botanic Gardens of SA
This is the go to website for gardening with tips and advice from the horticultural curators and staff at the beautiful Botanic Gardens.
Visit the website…. Botanic Gardens of South Australia
Sophie’s Patch by Sophie Thomson
Sophie Thomson lives in the Adelaide Hills at Sophie’s Patch – a three-acre property in the Adelaide Hills – and is a wealth of amazing gardening information and tips. Hosting two open gardens in Autumn and Spring to thousands of visitors, and holding various creative gardening events throughout the year register your interest to learn from one of the best or simply find out more here, visit Sophie’s Patch.
Autumn is a beautiful time and especially in the Adelaide Hills. Be sure to visit the Mount Lofty Botanic Garden and revel in the sights and sounds of this luscious garden – the trees are a multitude of autumnal colours and the birdlife provides natural symphony as you wander through this delightful environment. There’s always something to discover there.
Visit their website for trail and tour information to make you visit really worthwhile… Mount Lofty Botanic Garden.
Whatever you do, make sure you get out and about and enjoy all the colours and sights that this colourful season brings. The Adelaide Hills are particularly beautiful during Autumn, especially for lovers of spectacular autumn foliage – the trees, orchards and vineyards flaunt their vibrant colours so come and discover all they have to offer.
While you’re out experiencing the beauty of the Adelaide Hills, come and experience Newenham too. Visit our Sales and Information Centre to discover why living at Newenham will be something truly special and why you’ll want to be a part of our thriving community.
Newenham Sales & Information Centre, find our current opening hours here.
