Winter may seem like a quiet season for the garden, but it’s one of the most important times to invest in care and preparation. While your plants may not bloom as boldly as they do in spring or summer, what you do now sets the foundation for a thriving garden in the months ahead.
At The Grove Country Gardens, we know how crucial winter maintenance is for creating healthy, resilient gardens — especially in Aussie climates where plants must be tough and well-established to handle the seasonal shifts.
Here’s how to keep your garden looking its best through the winter season:
1. Mulch and Protect the Soil
Adding a fresh layer of mulch is one of the best things you can do during winter. It helps retain moisture, insulates the roots from frost, and suppresses weeds. Use organic mulch like sugarcane, bark chips, or pea straw, and apply it around your plants, but not directly against the stems.
2. Water Less, But Smarter
While your garden won’t need as much watering in winter, that doesn’t mean you can forget about it entirely. Check soil moisture regularly — especially during dry or windy spells — and water deeply when needed. Early mornings are best to avoid water sitting on leaves overnight.
3. Prune Back and Tidy Up
Remove dead or damaged leaves and spent blooms from your perennials and shrubs. For some flowering plants, like Salvias, a light trim encourages new growth. Just be careful not to prune frost-sensitive plants too hard, as it can leave them exposed.
4. Clean Up Garden Beds and Tools
Winter is the perfect time to tidy up! Clear fallen leaves, spent annuals, and debris from garden beds to prevent pests and diseases from settling in. While you're at it, clean and sharpen your tools — your future self will thank you come spring.
5. Prepare for Spring Planting
Use the quieter winter months to plan your spring garden. Consider which colours, heights, and plant types you want to include. Winter is also a great time to plant hardy perennials, bulbs, and shrubs so they can develop strong root systems before the heat returns.
(And don’t worry — we’ve got plenty of winter-ready plants in stock, all grown tough in Pittsworth to handle real Aussie conditions.)
6. Keep an Eye on Pests
Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean the pests disappear. Slugs, snails, and fungal issues can still creep in. Stay alert and treat problems early using natural deterrents or organic controls.
Small Effort Now = Big Rewards Later
Winter garden maintenance doesn’t have to be a chore. With just a little effort, you can keep your garden healthy, tidy, and ready to burst into life when spring arrives.
Need help choosing the right plants for your winter garden?
Browse our current collection online, packed with hardy, low-maintenance options that love cooler conditions and are shipped directly from our farm to your door.
→ Shop Winter Favourites Now
Hardy. Homegrown. Alive on Arrival Guaranteed.
