How to Maintain Your Garden in Winter
Winter in Australia doesn’t mean your garden has to go dormant or look dull. While growth may slow, the cooler months are the perfect time to prepare your garden for spring, protect your plants, and keep everything looking tidy and healthy. Whether you live in a temperate, subtropical, or Mediterranean climate, winter garden care is essential for long-term success.
1. Prune Deciduous Trees and Shrubs
Winter is an ideal time to prune back deciduous plants while they’re dormant. This helps shape the plant, remove dead or diseased wood, and promote stronger growth in spring.
Advice: Always use clean, sharp secateurs or loppers and avoid pruning evergreen species that are still actively growing.
2. Keep Weeds Under Control
Weeds may grow more slowly in winter, but they’re still active—and easier to spot without dense foliage.
Advice: Hand-pull weeds after rain (when the soil is soft) or apply mulch to smother them before they take over.
3. Mulch for Warmth and Moisture Retention
Mulching not only suppresses weeds but also helps regulate soil temperature and retain moisture in the root zone during cool, dry periods.
Advice: Use organic mulch such as bark chips, straw, or sugar cane, and keep it clear of plant stems to prevent rot.
4. Adjust Watering Schedules
Your plants need less water in winter, but that doesn’t mean you should stop watering entirely. Overwatering can cause root rot, especially in heavy clay soils.
Advice: Check soil moisture before watering and avoid early morning or late evening watering during frost-prone periods.
5. Protect Sensitive Plants from Frost
In cooler regions, frost can damage or kill tender plants like citrus, succulents, or tropical species.
Advice: Cover delicate plants with frost cloth or hessian overnight, and move potted plants into sheltered areas if possible.
6. Plant Winter Veggies and Natives
Winter is the perfect time to plant cool-season vegetables like broccoli, spinach, peas, and lettuce. Many Australian natives also thrive when planted in cooler months.
Advice: Add compost to your veggie beds before planting, and choose local native species suited to your zone.
7. Maintain Lawn Health
While lawns grow slower in winter, they still benefit from care. Keep them tidy and free of debris, and avoid cutting them too short.
Advice: Raise your mower height, and lightly aerate compacted areas to improve drainage.
8. Tidy and Plan for Spring
Winter is a great time to tidy up garden beds, fix edging, clean tools, and assess what you want to improve or plant come spring.
Advice: Keep a garden journal or take photos to help plan your next big garden project.
Winter garden maintenance doesn’t have to be hard work—it’s about staying consistent and preparing your space for the next growing season. With a little effort now, your garden will bounce back healthier, greener, and more vibrant in spring.