Tips for great garden in winter
WINTER isn’t the ideal time to grow flowers or plant vegetables, and all green thumbs know it’s harder to keep your garden looking fresh.
But we live in the Garden City and many talented residents have found a way to keep their garden flourishing in winter and you can too.
Yates horticulture consultant Angie Thomas said there were lots of ways to have a beautiful garden in the colder months.
“With so much you can do in June, there’s no need for gardeners to hibernate during winter,” she said.
“From planting flowering plants to growing delicious veggies, you can keep your kitchen well stocked with healthy homegrown ingredients and brighten your outdoor spaces.”
Tips on what to plant this winter:
ALYSSUM - CARPET OF SNOW
Alyssum is commonly grown as a pretty filler in amongst other flowers in pots and garden beds. Alyssum can also take centre stage and make a gorgeous border plant on its own.
Carpet of snow is a long lasting and hardy annual that is smothered in masses of tiny honey scented white flowers.
ARGYRANTHEMUM MADEIRA
If you’re after vibrant colour during winter, then look out for the madeira range of argyranthemum daisies.
The madeira range is quick to grow and will reach up to 75 cm high. To keep them healthy feed with a fast-acting liquid fertiliser that’s boosted with additional potassium to promote lots of gorgeous flowers.
BIRD’S NEST FERNS
Asplenium australasicum, commonly known as the bird’s nest fern, is native to Australia’s east coast.
Bird’s nest ferns have a striking upright vase shape which adds structural interest and with green fronds reaching up to 1.5 m long can create a wonderful garden focal point.
CHERRY TOMATOES TINY TIM
Cherry tomatoes can be planted throughout the winter months.
Cherry tomatoes can be directly sown into backyard veggie patches in a position that receives at least six hours of sun per day. To encourage healthy growth and a great harvest, keep the soil consistently moist and feed regularly with tomato plant food.
SWEET POTATOES
You can start sweet potatoes by letting a tuber develop some 15 cm long sprouts and planting these directly into moist soil.
These sprouts will form roots and sweet potato tubers will develop over five to six months.
LETTUCE - GREENWAY ICEBERG
Greenway iceberg lettuce is a variety that’s been specially bred for warm climates. It has crisp tender leaves and is a hardy lettuce that’s resistant to downy mildew.
Seed can be sown directly into a sunny veggie patch and lettuces can be harvested in as little as nine weeks.
Sow more seed each week to give you an ongoing supply of this essential salad ingredient. Show off your gardening skills by entering The Chronicle Garden Competition. Entry forms available in The Chronicle or phone Letitia on 4690 9300.