1. Consider camellias
SASANQUA CAMELLIAS FLOWER IN AUTUMN AND GROW QUICKLY, often with a narrow upright habit, which makes them ideal for privacy screens and hedges. They produce masses of blooms – single or double, sometimes fragrant – bringing colour just as the weather cools. They’re also more tolerant of heat and sun than many other camellias, thriving in well-drained, slightly acidic soil enriched with organic matter. Prune after flowering to keep their shape and encourage a stronger display next season. Feed in spring with a camellia-specific fertiliser.
2. Grow strawberries
THE BEST WAY TO GROW STRAWBERRIES IS IN AN ELEVATED GARDEN BED, which helps prevent damage from slugs, snails and lizards. A 500mm-high corrugated steel garden bed works well. Give strawberries a spot with at least six hours of sun, quality soil or potting mix and regular feeding. Choose a few varieties to extend the harvest season. Mulch to suppress weeds and lock in moisture. Protect your crop with bird netting once fruiting begins in late spring or summer. When plants start to flower, feed with Yates Thrive Flower & Fruit, and never let the pot dry out – strawberries are very thirsty. Remove runners and replant them for next season.
3. Prune and prosper
OUR HEDGE WILL LEAF UP AFTER A LIGHT TRIM, producing neat, compact growth before winter – especially with a dose of organic fertiliser pellets and a deep seaweed drink. Reliable evergreen options include murraya, viburnum, camellia, loropetalum, pittosporum and Indianhawthorn (Rhaphiolepis). Autumn is the best time to plant a new hedge, with spring ideal in colder regions.
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4. Feed your lawn well
IF YOUR SUMMER HAS BEEN HOT AND DRY, your lawn is probably looking tired. Feeding now, while your lawn is still in active growth, will improve its colour and overall health. Organic-based pelletised fertilisers area great choice as they feed the lawn and nourish the soil.
5. Make over your garden
AUTUMN IS THE BEST TIME TO RENOVATE A TIRED OLD GARDEN. With soil still warm, newly planted trees and shrubs establish readily, building strong root systems through the cooler months. Good soil preparation sets them up for year-long success.
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Remove undesirable plants, weeds and debris from your new garden.
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Metal garden edging is one way to define garden beds and prevent grass invading. Steel edging is easy to install, bends easily to create curves and angles, allowing for creative garden design. Check out shapescaper.com.au.
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Add rich organic compost, aged cow manure, mushroom compost or your own home-made compost to garden beds.
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Don’t buy plants until your new garden bed is ready.
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Take care with planting. Tickle the roots and settle new plants in with a dilute seaweed solution in a watering can.
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Spread a layer of mulch over the entire garden, keeping it away from plant stems to allow good air circulation and prevent ‘choking’.
6. Plant poppies
ANZAC DAY IS THE REMINDER TO PLANT OR SOW POPPIES. A small bed of Iceland poppies will flower for months if you keep picking them. Look for Iceland poppies seedlings in your local garden centre. Peony poppies (Papaver paeoniflorum) is a variety of poppy loved for its large, double blooms and attractive seed pods. These hardy annuals come in various colours, such as cream, lilac and coral pink. They are grown from seed, easy to grow in full sun and well-draining soil, and often self-sow to grow and flower the following year.