Frost zones
In areas prone to frosts, have frost cloth ready to place over susceptible plants, such as young citrus, passion fruit and hibiscus. Failing frost cloth, a few sheets of newspaper, or an old sheet (the thinner and more worn the better) may be thrown over for the night. Put on just before the sun leaves the area to trap in any heat from the ground and remove in the morning to let the plants get maximum sunlight and warmth.
Frost-susceptible plants growing in containers should be moved to shelter – under eaves or a tree.
Get to know your garden’s frost zones, such as dips in the land or spots enclosed by fences and hedges. Anywhere cold air gets trapped increases the risk of damage, so avoid planting tender species there. Such species do best against a north-facing wall, anywhere sunny. Feijoas, for example, will stop ripening after a frost, so choose their position with thought.
Some plants need the cold. Apricots, for example, fruit way better in cooler zones. And a decent cold snap will help kill off pests such as thrips.
Those in frost-prone zones might do well to put their hoses away under shelter, preferably in a shed or garage. Repetitive freezing will shorten the hose’s life.
Edibles
Rhubarb may be divided and replanted now. Lift crowns and chop into pieces with a sharp spade, ensuring each piece has at least two buds and some roots. Add plenty of manure (fresh is fine for rhubarb) and compost into soil before replanting. Top dress existing rhubarb plants with manure and compost.
Broad beans may still be sown in soils that are not too heavy.
After fruiting, cut raspberries’ old fruiting canes to ground level.
Ornamentals
Keep weeding. The warm autumn has meant weeds have continued to grow. After weeding, mulch with organic matter. It will not suppress all weeds but any that make their way through are easy enough to pull out. Or, try reaching under the mulch and brush the soil surface with your hand or a hand trowel to disrupt weed seedlings.
Do not weed out all stinging nettles as they are a good food source for two of our native butterflies, the red and yellow admirals.
Plant roses.
– Mary Lovell-smith