Hello Autumn!
Whilst plenty of veges are still producing and harvest is still ongoing, there is certainly a noticeable chill in the air. As the leaves turn golden, gardeners prepare for transition. It is time to preserve the excess produce and prepare garden beds for the cooler months.
Garden Maintenance
- Pull out the summer vegetables that have withered away.
- Look out for slugs.
- Clean up continues: trim hedges, mow lawns, keep the weeds out.
- Lift and divide clumps of perennials.
Here are some more things to do at this time of the year:
Brassicas thrive this season: Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower. If you would like some variety, try adding beetroots. You may also want to consider planting onions, carrots or leeks where you had brassicas last year. Move the brassicas into a new bed with good quality soil.
Soil can get exhausted and could develop a build up of disease-causing pathogens. Crop rotation is useful to avoid or minimise the risk of diseases and pests.
Brassicas are heavy feeders and they need well-draining, good quality soil. Space brassica varieties (approximately) 50cm apart. If you have limited garden space, growing cabbages in containers (about 30-35 litre containers) could be your option. Approximately, you may plant 5 cabbages in a 35 litre container. Try planting spring onions in the same container as a great companion plant for cabbages. Containers may also be good alternatives for some frost-sensitive plants in areas with cooler climates as they can be moved to areas with more sun or inside a greenhouse.
If you have an abundance of tomatoes or zucchinis, it's now a good time to start preserving them (eg tomato or zucchini relish).
Keep your flower garden blooming with beautiful Stock flowers. They have stunning displays, a perfect choice for cut flowers, indoor floral arrangements.
It's also a great time to plant pansies. Awapuni Nurseries has over 20 varieties of beautiful pansies coming very soon on our website.
Consider growing strong-smelling herbs like thyme and sage. They are useful companion plants to brassicas (broccoli & cabbages) as they help repel pests.
Autumn is the time to plant a wider range of natives. Natives love the cooler breeze and they appreciate wet weather. If you are located in the warmer regions of New Zealand and you are considering planting natives now, put them in a sheltered area and water them regularly until more rain comes and the days are shorter.
Landscaping options
Ornamental grasses like black mondo grass and carex are popular choices for newly-built homes and sections because of their sleek, stylish, minimalist look.
Happy gardening!