As we welcome a new season this weekend, now is the perfect time to enjoy some pleasant autumn weather in the garden.
Here are some easy jobs to do this weekend to prepare for the cooler months ahead, no matter what climate zone you live in.
🍁 COOL (Canberra, Tasmania)
March is the time to sow winter veggies like beetroot, carrot, fennel, garlic, lettuce, and spinach. Plant seeds directly into the soil, twice the depth of their size. Successful germination relies on three important things: moisture, warmth and light. Because not all seeds will germinate, sow two and nip off the weakest at soil level.
Take advantage of falling leaves by composting them or using them as mulch to improve soil health. Or if you don’t have one already, start a composting bin!
Improve your soil with biochar. Biochar is a combination of wood waste, manures and weeds slowly burned with restricted oxygen and is brilliant for prepping beds before planting.
🌿 TEMPERATE (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth)
Now is a great time to prepare your veggie garden for winter crops. Harvest any remaining summer fruits, vegetables or flowers and then either cut the remaining plant down or pull it up from the root. Once you’ve finished pruning your plants, consider mulching or composting them.
March is the time to sow beetroot, carrot, fennel, garlic, lettuce, pak choi, rocket, silverbeet and spinach. Plant seeds directly into the soil, twice the depth of their size. Successful germination relies on three important things: moisture, warmth and light. Because not all seeds will germinate, sow two and nip off the weakest at soil level.
Feed citrus trees and roses. As well as improving the garden soil generally, it’s a good idea to improve the soil around these heavy-feeding plants with animal manure at the start of this season.
🌦️ SUBTROPICAL (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Northern NSW)
March is the time to sow beetroot, capsicum, carrot, chilli, chives, cucumber, lettuce, pak choi, rocket, and spring onion. Plant seeds directly into the soil, twice the depth of their size. Successful germination relies on three important things: moisture, warmth and light. Because not all seeds will germinate, sow two and nip off the weakest at soil level.
As much as you don’t want to hear this, spend 20 minutes to remove garden weeds before they take over.
Watch for fungal diseases. With higher humidity, check for powdery mildew and rust on plants like zucchini and cucumbers.
🌴 TROPICAL (Darwin, Cairns, Far North QLD)
March is the time to sow beetroot, capsicum, carrot, chilli, chives, cucumber, lettuce, pak choi, rocket, and spring onion. Plant seeds directly into the soil, twice the depth of their size. Successful germination relies on three important things: moisture, warmth and light. Because not all seeds will germinate, sow two and nip off the weakest at soil level.
Humid weather makes pruning cuts more prone to fungal infection, so hold off on major works until next month, but while you’re waiting, sharpen your pruning saw!
March can be an active month for cyclone activity in the tropics, so spend some time in your garden making sure outdoor furniture, sheds, shade structures and the like are secure.
☀️ ARID (Central Australia, Outback WA, NT, SA)
March is the time to sow artichokes, beetroot, carrot, fennel, garlic, lettuce, pak choi, rocket, silverbeet, spinach, and spring onion. Plant seeds directly into the soil, twice the depth of their size. Successful germination relies on three important things: moisture, warmth and light. Because not all seeds will germinate, sow two and nip off the weakest at soil level.
Apply a thick layer of mulch to insulate and protect roots from hot daytime temperatures and cool nights.
With the cooling weather, adjust your irrigation systems to prevent from overwatering.
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