How To Prepare Your Garden in Winter!

Western Australia’s winters are typically mild and wet, especially in the southern regions, making it an excellent time to prepare your garden for spring. While many plants are dormant, winter provides the perfect opportunity for planning, soil improvement, pruning, and planting cool-season crops. Here’s a guide to get your garden in shape during the cooler months.


Assess and Plan

Before diving into winter gardening tasks, take the time to thoughtfully evaluate how your garden has performed over the past seasons. This reflection stage is often overlooked, but it’s a crucial step that helps you make informed decisions, avoid repeating past mistakes, and plan for a more productive and beautiful garden in the coming months.

·         Which plants thrived through summer and autumn?

·         Which struggled—due to pests, disease, or perhaps poor soil or too much sun/shade?

·         Are there signs of nutrient deficiency, such as yellowing leaves, stunted growth, or poor flowering?

·         Are garden beds accessible for maintenance and harvesting?

·         Do you have a clear flow from one area to another?

·         Are paths, retaining walls, or edges breaking down or in need of repair?

 

Tidy Up and Weed

Clear away fallen leaves, dead branches, and spent annuals. Although it might seem like less is happening in the garden, weeds still grow in winter and compete for nutrients. Removing them now saves more work in spring.

 

Improve the Soil

In Western Australia, many soils are sandy and low in organic matter. Now is the time to:

·         Incorporate compost: Well-rotted compost enriches the soil with nutrients and improves structure.

·         Add clay or loam to sandy soils to increase water retention and nutrient holding capacity.

·         Use mulch: A layer of mulch (around 5–7 cm thick) conserves moisture, prevents erosion, and keeps the soil warmer.

 

Protect Sensitive Plants

While frost is rare in most of Western Australia, inland and southern areas (like the Perth Hills or Albany) may experience cold snaps. Protect delicate plants by:

  • Covering with frost cloth or old sheets at night.
  • Moving potted plants to sheltered areas.
  • Avoiding pruning frost-damaged foliage until all risk of frost has passed.

 

The mild, wet climate—particularly in the south-west—offers a perfect opportunity to rest, reset, and prepare your garden for the flourishing seasons ahead. From nourishing the soil to planting crops that thrive in the cooler air, what you do in winter lays the groundwork for a vibrant, resilient, and productive garden in spring.

So rug up, grab your gloves, and embrace the season—your future garden will thank you.

 

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