Prepare garden for cooler weather

With autumn upon us and winter fast approaching, we know it’s time to start cosying up our homes, but what about our gardens?

Garden expert Meredith Kirton, shares her tips for what to plant and what to prune this month to prep your garden for the cooler weather.

Vegie patch

Kale Turning over a new leaf? Plant your kale for those super green juices now. If you’re feeling really healthy, consider a potted goji berry, too; these climbing plants will also need a tripod. Dragon fruit Dragon fruit are a type of epiphytic (air plant) climbing cactus that’s easy to grow in any warm climate. Plant in a tall tub against a pillar so they climb the wall and spill down the edge of the pot. Use the fruit fresh, frozen or juiced. Peas Plant pea seeds into your vegetable garden. Most will require support, so use bamboo canes as tripods, or get some pea trellis. Alliums Time to plant allium seedlings – that includes onions, garlic and leeks. Their tiny seeds are easily lost or too heavily planted, so mix them with some sand and then sow in rows, only just covering the seeds as they’re not planted too deep.

Garden

Plant hedges As the weather cools, start thinking about big planting projects. It’s perfect planting weather and hedges will take to their new position quickly while the soil is still warm but the sun has lost its sting. Choose spring flowers It’s the right time to plant spring flowering seedlings. Imagine baskets of trailing sweet peas, scented stocks to pick and bring inside, and potted pansies brightening your windowsill. Prune This month is a great time to prune. Keep climbers in check by removing tendrils, trim hedges and cut back old flower heads. Go tropical Many tropical plants look their best in autumn. Consider adding some hibiscus, bird of paradise, coleus or crotons (in frostfree areas) to your garden this month.