Autumn is one of the most dramatic seasons in the garden as trees, shrubs 
and flowers show a final burst of colour before winter closes in. It’s also a good time for planting as soils are usually still warm and rainfall is typically high, allowing good root growth before winter.

One of the best ways to get inspiration for your own garden is by observing others. Visit some of your favourite gardens, paying attention to design, colour schemes and plant varieties, and ask your local nursery for ideas on what plants will flourish in your particular climate. For example, cooler climates enjoy a wide range of brightly coloured plants during the winter months, while gardens in temperate and tropical regions have a more limited choice of colourful trees and shrubs.

Take advantage of autumn’s cooler temperatures with projects that require physical effort, such as mulching, building a pergola, digging new garden beds, creating a pond and making new paths throughout the garden.

Make sure your garden tools, including secateurs and 
shears, are sharpened and oiled as they’ll get a workout 
during this time of the year. Take a look around your garden 
for plants that appear sick or are struggling to survive and relocate them to more suitable areas.

To give your winter harvest crops the best start, add well-rotted manure with a fork to your vegetable patch. Plant beetroot, onions, carrots, parsnips, turnips and cabbage.

SHRUBS

Shrubs add texture and interest to the garden. The following varieties will allow you to enjoy a show of colour from late summer to winter.

Cotinus coggygria, or smoke bush, is a standout, particularly “Purpureus”, which changes from purple-green to orange-yellow in autumn. It is actually a small tree but is often grown as an ornamental shrub.

Australian native Murraya paniculata “Orange Jessamine” displays orange-scented white flowers in spring and autumn. This hardy shrub grows well in a wide range of soils and conditions – a must for gardening novices.

Correa pulchella “Orange Glow” has vibrant orange bell-shaped flowers and dark-
green foliage. Perfect for small gardens, “Orange Glow” flowers from autumn to winter.

If you live in a cool climate, Enkianthus campanulatus “Red Vein Enkianthus” offers gold, scarlet and purple foliage 
in autumn.

LAWN

Is your lawn looking lifeless? As weed germination slows down and many areas receive good rainfall, autumn is 
a great time to lay new turf or sow a new lawn. Ask your local nursery about what varieties best suit your needs and check with your council about current water restrictions as new lawns need plenty of water.

To keep your lawn looking lush and green, aerate the surface with a lawn-aerating tool. There are two main types of aerators, powered and manual, which can be hired from hardware stores. Make sure you remove sprinkler heads, hoses and cables before you start.

Use slow-release fertiliser once or twice a year. Always follow the instructions as some fertilisers require the lawn to be watered before application while others require watering after.

ORGANIC PEST CONTROL

Do you have aphids on your roses? Stink bugs on your citrus trees? Good pest management is based on having a sound knowledge of the pest in question. Identify and research the pest so you have a better idea of how to control it. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to deter pests 
and weeds without using harsh chemicals in the garden:

• 
Hand-pick pests, weeds 
and branches and remove diseased leaves (wearing 
gloves and goggles).

• 
Plant “sacrifice” plants that act as a decoy – pests will be attracted to them rather than your prized plants.

• 
Plant “companion” plants, such as marigolds, lavender and mint, that deter pests with their pungent fragrance.

• 
Spray plants with organic oils to smother pests such as aphids.

• 
Use organic mulch to deter weeds in your garden beds.

• 
Spray plants with white vinegar (full strength) to control caterpillars and sap-sucking insects such as aphids.

• 
Spray soapy water on the underside of leaves during autumn and winter to remove the eggs of pests.

GREEN YOUR GARDEN 
WITH FROGS

Frogs are well known for their sensitivity to pollution, which is why scientists have recorded a progressive decline in frog species throughout the world. 
If you want to attract frogs 
to your garden, here are some tips for creating and maintaining a frog-friendly pond:

• 
Choose a spot in your garden that is partly shaded.

• 
Dig your pond between 40cm and 80cm deep and line it with sand and then plastic sheeting or pond liner.

• 
Line the edge of the pond with rocks and logs to allow easy access for the frogs.

• 
Fill the pond with water and let it stand for a week to allow chemicals such as chlorine in the tap-water to dissipate.

• 
Add native water plants to the pond and include underwater oxygenators such as myriophyllum. Water irises, lilies and lotus plants make good shelter plants for frogs, tadpoles and fish.

• 
Plant shrubs and ground cover around the pond to give frogs hiding spots and shelter from the wind. Vegetation also attracts insects for frogs to eat.

FRUIT

Looking for a beautiful display of fruit in the garden? Try strawberry dogwood (Cornus capitata). This small tree produces large, ornamental fruit throughout March, April and May.

March is a good time to mulch your citrus trees, including lime, orange, lemon and mandarine. Make sure the mulch doesn’t touch the trunk. Try not to prune your citrus trees until they have finished fruiting.

Plant strawberries now and you’ll have edible fruit in October and November. Prepare the bed by digging in organic mulch and compost. If you’re short on space strawberries will grow well in hanging baskets or pots.

FLOWERS

Autumn isn’t only about spectacular foliage 
– there are plenty of flowers to be planted and enjoyed at this time of the year.

Chrysanthemums are a favourite while sedums and asters are perfect for the cooler months as they will survive early season frosts. Reliable and brilliant in colour, sedums are particularly good for areas that don’t receive large amounts of rainfall. Sedum “Autumn Joy” is a true performer that will attract bees to your garden. It will also flower long into winter.

Asters are classic autumn flowers; their long-lasting, colourful blooms look striking when grouped together or along garden borders. Aster x frikartii “Monch” is a pretty lavender-purple variety.

The camellia season is 
just beginning. “Sasanqua” camellias are among the easiest flowers to grow, 
while camellia “Asakura” is a favourite with its showy white flowers and dark-green foliage.

Plant violas, pansies, primulas and bulbs in your garden now and you’ll have a mass of colour throughout the winter months.

5 TOP TIPS

1 Before you start planting flowers, improve the soil by adding organic compost. Most plants grow best in soil that is easy to dig and has a texture that resembles dark, crumbly chocolate cake.

2 Camellias are ideal for growing in pots as they have shallow root systems. Make sure the pots have good drainage and protection from the hot sun.

3 Flowers aren’t the only way to add interest to 
the garden. Foliage plants, such as cordylines, provide colour all year round.

4 Marigolds make great companion plants – their pungent foliage and roots deter a variety of insects.

5 For foolproof gardening, try planting cosmos. These flowers are one of the easiest plants to grow from seed. Sow after frosts.