Winter in the Northern Agricultural Region - one day it's gumboots and raincoats, the next it's sunshine and T-shirts! While the weather keeps us guessing, there’s plenty of moisture in the soil and spring is just around the corner. It’s the ideal time of year to focus on keeping your garden healthy and giving your greenery the best start for warmer months ahead.
Western Australia’s winter and spring provide a great climate for gardening. Winter’s rain and mild temperatures replenish the landscape and give plants time to establish before the dry, hot summer. It’s an ideal time to tackle seasonal jobs like pruning, mulching, planting and weeding to help your garden thrive through spring.
Winter Planting
Winter is the prime time to plant vegetables so they can establish roots before the heat arrives. Consider:
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Kale
- Silverbeet
- Spinach
- Lettuce
- Peas
- Broad beans
- Beetroot
- Carrots
- Spring onions
Healthy vegetables start with healthy soil, so it’s important to feed your soil! You can do this by adding compost or well-rotted manure to soil before planting. To already established plants, organic vegetable fertilisers will provide essential nutrients. Try not to over-fertilise leafy crops and remember that picking vegetables as they mature encourages many crops – such as peas, lettuce and leafy greens – to continue producing.
Mulch can be a real game changer in the vege patch. Applying a layer 3-5cm thick of mulch (like lucerne, pea straw, or sugarcane) helps to retain moisture between rainfall, reduce those pesky weeds, and keep soil temperature regulated. Be sure to keep mulch a few centimetres away from plant stems to reduce the risk of rot.
Fruits & Citrus
Winter is the ideal time to plant deciduous fruit trees such as apples, pears, peaches, plums and apricots, as well as many citrus varieties. Planting during the cooler months allows roots to establish before the demands of flowering and fruit production begin.
Fruit and citrus trees perform best in a sunny position with at least six hours of direct sunlight each day in well-drained soil. You can incorporate compost into the planting area to improve soil structure and water-holding capacity. However, avoid adding excessive fertiliser at planting time, as this can encourage leafy growth before the tree has established.
Mulch around the base of the tree and apply a balanced fertiliser suited to fruit trees towards the end of winter or in early spring as new growth begins. Citrus trees are hungry feeders and benefit from regular applications of a citrus-specific fertiliser throughout the growing season.
Now is also the best time to generously prune your fruit trees to improve airflow. Citrus trees, however, are best pruned lightly after fruiting or in early spring.
Natives
Plants native to your local area are generally better adapted to the region’s soils, rainfall and climate. They often require less water once established and provide valuable food and habitat for local wildlife. This time of year boasts the perfect, non-stressful conditions to plant Australian natives like the iconic Geraldton Wax!
Before planting, loosen compacted soil and remove weeds that will compete for water and nutrients. Most WA natives don’t require heavily enriched soil, so avoid adding large amounts of manure or high-phosphorus fertilisers unless recommended for the species. Many Australian native plants, particularly those in the Proteaceae family (such as banksias, grevilleas and hakeas), are sensitive to phosphorus. If fertilising is necessary, use a fertiliser specifically formulated for Australian natives and apply it sparingly
For many flowering natives, it’s best to leave major pruning until after they have finished flowering, but regular light pruning can encourage bushier, healthier growth. Get onto nearby weeds early and keep an eye out for insect damage or signs of fungal disease, particularly during wet weather.
Winter Gardening Checklist
Pruning | Prune deciduous fruit trees, roses, and hydrangeas while they are dormant. This improves sunlight penetration and airflow, setting them up for a strong spring.
Soil Prep | WA’s sandy soils drain quickly and lose nutrients. Work in plenty of compost and organic matter. Use resources from local suppliers for better soil health.
Pest Control | Snails, slugs and aphids thrive in the wetter conditions. Use a quality bait or manually remove them to protect new growth. Check the undersides of leaves and monitor your brassicas (like broccoli and cabbage) for pests before spring triggers an explosion in their populations.
Water Wisely | Reduce your automated irrigation times during winter’s wetter months. When supplemental watering is needed, do it early in the morning so the moisture reaches the roots before the daytime winds or temperature drops. Reduce watering to all potted plants and keep indoor plants away from heaters.
Lawn care | It’s also a great time to weed and feed the lawn. Raise the mowing height on your mower to allow for more photosynthesis and rake up any leaves, sticks and other debris that can block sunlight
Spring Transition | As the weather warms in late August and September, begin sowing warm-season vegetables like tomatoes, capsicum, cucumbers, and basil. Feed your garden with a slow-release fertiliser and renew the mulch on your garden beds to lock in moisture before the summer heat hits.
Local Plant Nurseries
- Figs n Dragons Nusery | 87 Horwood Road, Woorree
- Drylands Permaculture Nursery | 333 David Road, Geraldton
- City of Greater Geraldton Community Nursery | 31 Adelaide Street, Waggrakine
References | Better Pets & Gardens | Green Life Soil Co | Perth Gardening Experts
NACC NRM is a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partnership panel and has promoted this information with funding by the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust.