Getting your garden ready for Autumn

Getting your garden ready for Autumn

Adelaide’s dry summer has left many gardens struggling, with plants wilting, soil drying out, and gardens looking far from their best. With below-average rainfall and long stretches of hot weather, keeping a garden healthy has been a challenge. But as we move into autumn, now is the perfect time to help your garden recover from the summer heat and prepare it for the cooler months ahead. By making a few simple adjustments, you can give your plants the best chance to thrive while still being mindful of water use.

Smart Watering for a Dry Garden

Watering wisely is essential, especially after a dry summer. Instead of watering lightly every day, deep watering less frequently encourages plants to develop stronger, deeper root systems. The best time to water is early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the sun is less intense, reducing evaporation and ensuring plants absorb as much moisture as possible.

Mulching is another effective way to retain soil moisture. A good layer of organic mulch, such as bark, straw, or compost, helps keep the soil cool and prevents water from evaporating too quickly. Mulch also improves soil health over time by breaking down and adding nutrients. If you already have mulch in place, check its thickness and top it up if necessary— cm is ideal for most gardens.

Soil Care and Plant Health in March

After months of dry conditions, soil quality can suffer. Dry, compacted soil makes it harder for water and nutrients to reach plant roots. Now is a great time to improve your soil by aerating it with a garden fork and adding organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure. This helps restore nutrients and improves the soil’s ability to retain moisture.

Autumn is also the perfect time to feed your garden. Applying a slow-release fertiliser suited to your plants will help replenish lost nutrients and encourage healthy growth before winter. For flowering plants, choose a fertiliser with higher phosphorus content to support strong root development and future blooms. For vegetables and leafy greens, a balanced fertiliser with nitrogen will promote lush growth.

Pruning and Maintenance

March is an ideal time to prune plants that have suffered from the summer heat. Removing dead or damaged branches encourages new growth and prevents disease. For shrubs and perennials, light pruning helps shape the plant and promotes healthier, bushier growth. However, avoid heavy pruning on frost-sensitive plants, as new growth can be damaged by colder temperatures in the coming months.

If you have a vegetable garden, now is the time to remove any spent summer crops and prepare the soil for autumn planting. Turning over the soil and adding compost will improve its structure and provide the nutrients needed for new plants to establish strong roots.

Getting Ready for the Cooler Months

With the hope of more rainfall in autumn, ensuring your garden makes the most of every drop is essential. If your soil has become hydrophobic (water-repellent), applying a soil wetting agent can help water penetrate more effectively rather than running off. This is particularly useful for garden beds that have dried out significantly over summer.

Autumn is also a great time to plant! The combination of cooler temperatures and (hopefully) more consistent rainfall creates ideal conditions for establishing new plants. Native plants, hardy perennials, and winter vegetables like broccoli, spinach, and carrots all do well when planted in early autumn. This gives them time to develop strong roots before winter.

How We Can Help

If your garden is looking worse for wear after a long, dry summer, we’re here to help. At Instant lawn Adelaide we can help with Landscaping and creating an outdoor area you will enjoy. Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help you restore your garden and prepare it for the cooler months ahead!

If you need any assistance with lawn maintenance our team is always happy to help and you are welcome to give us a call on 0414 248 541. We can offer one off services and monthly seasonal maintenance packages.