April is around the corner, which means we are well and truly into the season of autumn. And although the onset of autumn and winter means more rain and wind (and less sunshine), it doesn’t mean your garden has to suffer. There are plenty of ways to make sure your garden stays flourishing all throughout the colder months. As experts in the art of residential and commercial hardscaping – particularly including concrete driveways in Melbourne – we thought today we’d share some of these gardening hacks for autumn and winter.
Consider planting new seedlings that thrive in this weather
Just because the weather has changed, it doesn’t mean you can’t continue to plant and grow all kinds of new plants. There are a number of different flowers that thrive in the colder weather, including:
- Pansies
- Cyclamen
- Winter aconite
Don’t be afraid to use autumn to your advantage and plant that veggie garden you’ve always wanted, either. Because of the extra moisture in the soil, this time of year is great to harvest hearty and delicious vegetables such as:
- Carrots
- Turnips and radishes
- Broccoli and cauliflower
- Peas (particularly snow peas)
- Onions and garlic
- Mushrooms
- Leafy greens (including spinach, kale, bok choy and lettuce)
Use mulch to protect your plants
Mulch is great for your garden for a few different reasons. First and foremost, during the autumn and winter months, mulch provides thermal protection for your plants and their roots. This means that your plants will stay healthy despite any fluctuations in temperature (which is especially common in Melbourne).
Another reason to use mulch in autumn and winter is the fact that it helps to retain moisture. Although it might look like your garden is getting plenty to drink during the wetter seasons, don’t be fooled – it can take multiple bouts of rainfall for the water to penetrate the soil deep enough to reach the roots. Therefore, topping up on mulch after watering your garden helps to maintain a level of soil moisture that your plants will love.
Take care when using mulch, however. If it is not tended to regularly, it can build up around stems and trunks, causing collar rot and even fungal infestation.
Start planning for spring
Spring might be a while away, but planning which spring-flowering bulbs you’re going to buy ensures you don’t miss out on growing those gorgeous daffodils and tulips. Besides, planting your bulbs in April and May actually creates the best flowering results later in the year due to the added moisture and coolness in the soil.
To grow bulbs successfully, try to plant them in areas that receive the most amount of sunlight possible. They can also grow in light shade. Ensure that the area in which they are being planted has a freely draining soil system. You can start watering your bulbs when you see green shoots starting to appear.
Care for your concrete driveway
While concrete driveways, pathways and pavers aren’t literally a part of your garden, keeping them tidy and cared for often goes hand-in-hand with a pristine front lawn and backyard. Sometimes, the pick-me-up your garden requires might not be planting something new; instead, it might be that your concrete has stains and needs some maintenance.
This is particularly common during autumn months, where leaves and debris can often get stuck to concrete, leaving unsightly (and tough-to-remove) stains. In winter, you may also find your concrete gets a lot muddier due to increased rainfall or dirty tires and shoes. You can discover how to protect your driveway, garden and home during autumn using our handy guide.
Find out more about concrete driveways in Melbourne
Whether you are looking for information about concrete driveways in Melbourne, or just a new way to spruce up your home or business, A Better Driveway can give you the results you desire. Our exposed aggregate, coloured concrete and textured concrete is versatile, timeless and durable.
All our work comes with a 5-year structural guarantee. We pride ourselves on installing concrete driveways in Melbourne that are as functional, affordable and low-maintenance as they are aesthetically stunning.
Enquire about our concreting services (including concrete driveways in Melbourne) by contacting us on 0412 537 776 today.