Many of us love to get out into the garden to do unwind as well as to do a little bit of work and general maintenance.
You do not have to spend hour upon hour toiling away in the sun to get the results you want. Rather you are better off just do a little bit each day or week so that the garden does not get away from you because if it does this is when you tire of having to do garden maintenance.
This is just a guide to help you in in the garden. It will tell you what you can do at certain times of the year regarding ongoing maintenance and will also make suggestions as to what types of plants you can be putting into the garden at certain times of the year.
By following this guide your garden could be looking great and any plants that you plant will have the best chances of growing into a mature specimen.
Select the climate zone you are in:
Sub Tropics- This zone has
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Summer
Autumn
Winter
Spring
Dry Tropics - short description of the zone
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Summer |
Autumn |
Winter |
Spring
Tropic Coast - short description of the zone
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Summer |
Autumn |
Winter |
Spring
Dry Inland - Central Australia
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Summer |
Autumn |
Winter |
Spring
Southern Highlands - Toowoomba & New England Areas
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Summer |
Autumn |
Winter |
Spring
Northern Highlands - Atherton Tableland & Mountain Areas
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Summer |
Autumn |
Winter |
Spring
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| Sub Tropics |
Select the season you are interested in: Summer | Autumn | Winter | Spring
Summer Subtropics
Coming Soon!
Autumn Subtropics
March
What To Do
- Fertilise camellias, add compost around the root zone and mulch well.
- Prepare Garden beds for planting winter and spring vegetables and annuals.
- Store bulbs in the crisper section of fridge for 4-6 weeks.
- Cut back geraniums and propagate cuttings.
What To Plant
Sow all annuals, Sow all types of vegetables for cool season crops, plant spring and summer flowering shrubs while there is some rain about.
April
What To Do
- Give your lawn a final feed before the cooler months and slower growth.
- Feed young tibouchinas and azaleas.
What To Plant
Plant your bulbs and plant sweet peas. Flowers - same as March but not torenia. Vegies - as for March but add onion.
May
What To Do
- Prune your shrubs, in particular hydrangeas.
- Prepare your rosebeds.
- Try to keep your flower and vegetable beds free of weeds so young seedlings can grow.
- With tropical fruit trees push mulch away from their base so the sun can warm the roots.
What To Plant
Plant winter herbs such as coriander, chervil, chamomile and rocket. Vegies - as for April but add beans, capsicum, cucumber, eggplant, potatoes, pumpkin, squash, tomato and zucchini in frost free areas only.
Winter Subtropics
June
What To Do
- Prepare your veggie garden - add plenty of compost and manure.
- sweeten the veggie patch with dolomite or lime & add a complete fertiliser before planting.
- Plant bare roses.
- Prune deciduous trees and summer flowering shrubs.
What To Plant
Plant citrus and container grown fruit trees in frost-free areas. All annuals and vegies except for eggplant, chillies and other hot climate vegetables/herbs.
July
What To Do
- Do any heavy lawn improvement work such as better drainage or top dressing.
- Sweeten with dolomite.
- Prune roses and summer/autumn-flowering native shrubs.
- Transplant shrubs and trees - except those that flower in winter.
What To Plant
For flowers - same as for June but add cockscomb. For vegies - the same as for June.
August
What To Do
- Prune hibiscus.
- Pull out winter grass or spray if it is widespread.
- Feed any annuals.
- If you have a pond, clear it and repot all plants except tropical waterlilies.
What To Plant
Same as for July for flowers, except spider lily, statice, helichrysum and Sturt's desert pea. Add balsam, African marigold, sunflower and torenia. Vegetables - all.
Spring Subtropics
September
What To Do
- Make up a fertiliser program for spring and summer.
- Add compost to garden beds.
- Feed azaleas.
- Prune winter-flowering shrubs.
- Thin out new citrus shoots.
- Remove untidy growth and low hanging branches.
What To Plant
Sow all flower and veggie seeds.
October
What To Do
- Mulch everything.
- Plant passionfruit.
- Divide and re-pot orchids.
What To Plant
Flowers - as for September but not petunia, portulaca, snapdragon or verbene. Vegies - as for September but not chcory, parsnip or potatoes.
November
What To Do
- Fertilise lawns, pawpaws and mangos.
- Give pawpaws a dressing of 5g of borax per square metre.
- feed roses.
- Prune azaleas and spray for lace bug.
- Plant autumn-flowering bulbs.
What To Plant
Flowers - sow celosia, coleus, cosmos, impatiens, marigold, portulaca, salvia, sunflower, torenia and zinnia. Vegies - as for October but not beetroot.
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| Dry Tropics |
Select the season you are interested in: Summer Autumn Winter Spring
Summer Dry Tropics
Coming Soon!
Autumn Dry Tropics
March
What To Do
- Fertilise your mangoes.
- Cut back any geraniums.
What To Plant
Sow most annuals except those that are least tolerant of warm soil. For vegetables - sow beans, beetroot, cabbage, capsicum, carrot, corn, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, parsley, rosella, silverbeet, spring onions, sweet basil, tomato and zucchini.
April
What To Do
- Be sure to check any ripening citrus fruit for any nutrition problems and insect pests and apply recommended remedies if required.
- Pawpaws should be fertilised.
- Prune perennials.
What To Plant
Flowers - as for March. Vegetables - as for March plus broccoli, cauliflower, celery, kohlrabi. Plant bulbs in containers, you could try freesia, autumn crocus, babiana
May
What To Do
- Any changes that you intend to make to your garden should be planned so that any work can be done during the cool season, eg drainage,making new gardens etc
What To Plant
Plant your Australian natives such as grevilleas, callistemon and rainforest plants. Winter herbs such as coriander, chervil and rocket can also be planted. Flowers - the same as March and April but also pansies ad violas. Vegetables - sow beans, beetroot, cabbage, capsicum, carrot, corn, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce and parsley.
Winter Dry Tropics
June
What To Do
- As for the sub-tropics plus: prune ixoras if flowering is finished.
What To Plant
Flowers - as for the sub-tropics except African marigold, gomphrena, sunflower and zinnia. Add aster, celosia and cockscomb. For vegies - all except Brussels sprouts and broad beans.
July
What To Do
- As for the sub-tropics plus repot and revitalise indoor plants.
What To Plant
Flowers - as for the sub-tropics except for candyfruit. Add aster, balsam and cockscomb.
August
What To Do
- As for the sub-tropics
What To Plant
Flowers - as for the sub-tropics except for alyssum. For vegies - all except for Brussell sprouts and broad beans.
Spring Dry Tropics
September
What To Do
- As for Zone 1 - the sub-tropics, except for azaleas.
What To Plant
Flowers - A for the sub-tropics. Vegies - as for the sub-tropics but not broccoli, parsnip or rhubarb.
October
What To Do
- As for the sub-tropics.
- Prepare for the rainy season by checking your drainage and improving it where necessary.
What To Plant
Flowers - as for the sub-tropics. Vegies - as for September but not chicory or potatoes.
November
What To Do
- Loosen lawn with the tines of a fork at intervals to open up soil and improve drainage.
- Start pulling out sensitive weed as it emerges with early rain and continue to do so throughout the hot season.
What To Plant
Flowers - sow ageratum, aster, balsam, celosia, cloeus, impatients, marigold, salvia, sunflower, torenia and zinnia. Vegies - sow cabbage, cape gooseberry, capsicum, carrots, chicory, cress, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, marrow, melons, mustard, okra, onions, pumpkin, radish, rosella, silver beet, squash, sweet corn, sweet potato, tomato - pick varieties suited to your area.
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| Tropic Coast |
Select the season you are interested in: Summer Autumn Winter Spring
Summer Tropic Coast
Coming Soon!
Autumn Tropic Coast
March
What To Do
- Do the same as the subtropics.
What To Plant
Flowers - sow aster, dianthus, marigold, torenia, petunia, nasturtium and zinnia. Vegetables - sow most types for cool season crops.
April
What To Do
- Fertilise your pawpaws.
- Prune summer flowering shrubs and perennials.
- Mulch tropical shrubs such as ixoras to help them conserve moisture during the dry season.
What To Plant
Flowers - sow as for March plus pansy, salvia, stock, phlox, lobelia and viola. Vegetables - sow all.
May
What To Do
- Do the same as the dry tropics for May
What To Plant
Flowers - as for April, plus other varieties available from your local garden centre. Vegetables - as for April.
Winter Tropic Coast
June
What To Do
- Time to improve your lawns drainage before the next wet season.
- Aerate and lightly top dress if necessary.
- Sweeten with dolomite.
- Prune perennials and give the garden a good tidy and cut back to make it look good during the cooler months.
What To Plant
Flowers - as for the sub-tropics except for African marigold. gomphrena, sunflower and zinnia. Add aster, celosia and cockscomb. For vegies - all except for Brussell sprouts and broad beans
July
What To Do
- Prune hibiscus and ixoras if flowering is finished.
- Repot and rejuvenate indoor plants.
What To Plant
Flowers - as for the sub-tropics except candytuft. Add zinnia. Vegies - all except for Brussell sprouts and broad beans.
August
What To Do
- Feed annuals.
- Prune natives.
- Clean any ponds and repot all plants except waterlilies.
What To Plant
Flowers - as for the sub-tropics except for alyssum. Vegies - as for July.
Spring Tropic Coast
September
What To Do
- Make up a spring and summer fertiliser program.
- Add compost to garden beds.
- Divide and re-pot orchids.
- Lightly prune impatiens.
What To Plant
Flowers - as for the sub-tropics, but not aster, balsom, carnation and phlox. Vegies - as for the sub-tropics but not broccoli, parsnip and rhubarb.
October
What To Do
- As for Zone 2 - the Dry Tropics.
What To Plant
Flowers - as for Zone 1 - the Sub-Tropics, but not aster, balsom, carnation and phlox. Vegies - as for Zone 2 - the Dry Tropics
November
What To Do
- As for Zone 2 - the Dry Tropics.
What To Plant
Flowers - as for Zone 2 - the Dry Tropics, but not sunflower. Vegies - as for the Dry Tropics but not cress or marrow.
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| Dry Inland |
Select the season you are interested in: Summer Autumn Winter Spring
Summer Dry Inland
Coming Soon!
Autumn Dry Inland
March
What To Do
- Fertilise your lawns
- Place bulbs in crisper section of fridge for 4-6 weeks.
What To Plant
Plant spring and summer flowering shrubs. Flowers - sow most annuals. Vegetables - sow most types for cool season crops.
April
What To Do
- Feed tibouchinas and other autumn winter flowering shrubs.
- Prepare beds for vegetables, bulbs and annuals.
What To Plant
Flowers- as for March. Vegetables - beans, beetroot, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, kohlrabi, lettuce, onion, parsnip, peas, radish, shallots, silverbeet and turnips.
May
What To Do
- Prune any perennials
- Fertilise autumn flowering annuals and bulbs.
- Prepare rose beds.
What To Plant
Flowers - as for April. Vegies - as for the subtropics in May.
Winter Dry Inland
June
What To Do
- As for the sub-tropics.
What To Plant
Flowers - as for the sub-tropics. Vegies - Artichokes, asparagus, broad beans, Brussell sprouts, cress, lettuce, mustard greens, onions, peas, rhubarb, shallots and spinach
July
What To Do
- Aerate and top dress the lawn.
- Spray for bindi and clover.
- Prune cool climate fruit trees.
- Prune roses.
- Transplant trees and shrubs which are not winter flowering.
- Protect young plants from frost.
What To Plant
Flowers - as for Zone 5 - Toowoomba & New England areas. Vegies - same as for Zone 5 - Toowoomba & New England areas.
August
What To Do
- Spray for winter grass or remove by hand.
- Feed annuals.
- Clean out the pond and repot all but tropical waterlilies.
What To Plant
Flowers - all. Vegies - as for the sub-tropics.
Spring Dry Inland
September
What To Do
- Plant citrus when frost danger is over.
- Continue fertilising spring-flowering annuals.
- Lightly prune geraniums.
What To Plant
Flowers - as for Zone 1 - the Sub-Tropics except balsam and torenia. Add waratah, arctotis, centaurea, lobularia, Sanvitalia procumbens. Vegies - sow beans, cabbage, casicum, carrots, choko, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, marrow, okra, pumpkin, radishes, shallots, silverbet, squash, sweet corn, tomatoes, zucchini, cooler areas same but not cabbage.
October
What To Do
- As for Zone 1 - the Sub-Tropics, plus spray stone fruit with fungicide against brown rot.
What To Plant
Flowers - as for Zone 1 - the Sub-Tropics except aster, balsam and torenia. Vegies - as for the Sub-Tropics.
November
What To Do
- Make sure new and young plants have bowls around their roots to trap summer rainfall.
- Feed roses.
What To Plant
Flowers - As for October. Vegies - as for Zone 1 - the Sub-Tropics
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| Southern Highlands |
Select the season you are interested in: Summer Autumn Winter Spring
Summer Southern Highlands
Coming Soon!
Autumn Southern Highlands
March
What To Do
- Feed and mulch camellias.
- Plant native trees and shrubs.
- Give lawns a final feed before the cooler slow growth season.
What To Plant
Flowers - sow winter-spring flowering annuals such as alyssum, calendula, cineraria, columbine, cornflower, foxglove, godetia, hollyhock, polyanthus, primula, poppy, sweet william and wall flower. Vegetables - sow beetroot, broad beans, broccoli, brusselss sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, kohlrabi, lettuce, onion, parsnips, radish, shallots, silverbeet and turnip.
April
What To Do
- Lift summer flowering bulbs.
- Remove the last spent heads of agapanthus.
What To Plant
Flowers - sow alyssum, aquilegia, carnation, cineria, diathus, gypsophila, lupin, nemesia, nigella, pansy, poppy, primula and stock. Vegetables - same as for March but not brusselss sprouts or onions.
May
What To Do
- Prepare rose beds.
- Prune hydrangeas.
- Lift and divide perennials such as cannas, asters and agapanthus.
- Feed autumn flowering bulbs.
What To Plant
Vegetables - same as for April but not beetroot.
Winter Southern Highlands
June
What To Do
- Same as for the sub-tropics
What To Plant
Flowers - delphinium, dianthus, everlasting daisy, forget-me-nots, gaillardia, gazania, geranium, gerbera, gomphrene, gypsophila, impatiens, kangaroo paw, mignonette, ornamental, basil, ornamental chilli, statice. Vegies - as for June, plus carrots, Chinese cabbages, most herbs, kohi rabi, parsnip and potatoes.
July
What To Do
- As for June.
What To Plant
As for June.
August
What To Do
- Pull out winter grass or spray if widespread.
- Feed annuals.
- Plant bulbs for summer.
- Clean out ponds and repot plants except for tropical waterlilies.
What To Plant
Flowers - as for Zone 4 - the Dry Inland. Add delphinium, lunaria, mignonette, viscaria and spider flower. Vegies - as for Zone 4 - the Dry Inland.
Spring Southern Highlands
September
What To Do
- As for Zone 4 - the Dry Inland plus plant gladiolus and dahlia corms.
- Feed azaleas.
- Reactivate tuberous begonias and cyclamens that have been overwintering - repot and feed with liquid fertiliser.
What To Plant
Flowers - sow all annuals. Vegies - as for Zone 1 - the Sub-Tropics, but add artichoke, kohl and lettuce.
October
What To Do
- As for Zone 1 - the Sub-Tropics, plus feed rhododendrons.
- Give bulbs that have finished flowering a does of soluble fertiliser.
What To Plant
Flowers - As for September but not tuberous begonia and mignonette. Vegies - as for September but not artichoke or potatoes.
November
What To Do
- As for Zone 1 - the Sub-Tropics plus protect pome fruit against coddling moth.
What To Plant
Flowers - as for October but not carnation, everlasting daisy, gaillardia, gloxinia, hollyhock, impatients, kangaroo paw and snapdragon. Vegies - as for October but not choko.
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| Northern Highlands |
Select the season you are interested in: Summer Autumn Winter Spring
Summer Northern Highlands
Coming Soon!
Autumn Northern Highlands
March
What To Do
- Do the same as the dry tropics for March.
What To Plant
Flowers - sow aster, dianthus, marigold, torenia, perunia and nasturtium. Vegetables - sow all types.
April
What To Do
- Do the same as the sub tropics for April.
What To Plant
Flowers - as for March plus pansy, salvia, stock, phlox, lobelia and viola. Vegetables - as for March.
May
What To Do
- Prune perennials.
- Fertilise autumn flowering annuals and bulbs.
- prepare your rose beds.
What To Plant
Flowers - sow all varieties including calendula, cornflower, candybutt, balsam, begonia, impatiens and penstemom. Vegetables - as for April.
Winter Northern Highlands
June
What To Do
- Same as for Zone 1 - the sub-tropics.
What To Plant
Flowers - as for the sub-tropics plus aster, balsam, celosia, and cockscomb. Vegies - all except for Brussell sprouts and broad beans which can be grown in the higher parts of the tablelands only.
July
What To Do
- Same as for the sub-tropics plus improve drainage if necessary before the next wet season.
- Prune cool climate fruit trees such as pome fruits.
Flowers - as for the sub-tropics plus zinnia. Vegies - as for June.
August
What To Do
- Same as for Zone 3 - the Tropic Coast
Flowers - as for Zone 1 - the sub-tropics. Vegies - as for June and July.
Spring Northern Highlands
September
What To Do
- As for Zone
Flowers - as for Zone 1 - the sub-tropics. Vegies - as for June and July.
Flowers - As for Zone 1 - the Sub-Tropics. Vegies - as for the Sub-Tropics
October
What To Do
- Mulch everything.
- Continue fertilising according to your planned program.
- Divide orchids and repot if necessary.
Flowers - as for September but not petunia, portulaca, snapdragon or verbena. Vegies - as for September but not chicory, parsnip or potatoes.
November
What To Do
- Fertilise lawns, pawpaws and mangos.
- Give pawpaws a dressing of 5g of borax per square metre.
- Start control program for fruit and vegetable pests, organic if possible.
- Plant zephyranthes and pineapple lily for Summer to Autumn flowering.
Flowers - sow celosia, coleus, cosmos, impatients, marigold, portulaca, salvia, sunflower, torenia and zinnia. Vegies - as for October but not beetroot.
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