JOBS TO DO...
  • Keep your soil covered. Plant broadbeans etc, a cover green manure crop for winter to help, keep temperatures regulated, microbal life alive, and retain moisture and nutrients. Before the plant flowers/seeds, chop to the ground level, shop and drop into small peices on the surface and fork through gently.  (You may not need the bed for sometime and want to save some flowers, seeds or fruits from your crop, if so leave longer)
  • Plan plants considering crop rotation and companion methods and ensure something is flowering all year around that benefits our pollinating friends, beneficial insects and rebalances your garden as part of the wider ecosystem. Wildlife garden info
  • ​Top up mulch everywhere to keep soil covered. 
  • Winter pruning. Prune what is suitable for specific plant, many deciduous plants can be pruned in Winter.
  • Prune citrus in June to help reduce gal wasp and use a vegetable peeler to peel one side of the gal open and expose the lavae to the elements. You also may like to try bentonite clay for extreme cases. More HERE
  • July/August - prune roses, approx. 1/3rd of plant.
  • Transplant 
  • Plant bare-rooted roses and fruit trees
  • Protect delicate plants and young seedlings from frosts
  • Fertilize late Winter with organic fertilizer according to the requirements of the species.
  • Feed fruit trees with well rotted manure, compost and potash, add some water saving granuals, water well and mulch.
  • Look at water storage and design for efficient use of water throughout the warm months. Re-design and create systems now while weather is cool to work and soil is soft to dig in. Consider making a dry creek bed, down-pipe diverter and/or veggie Wicking Garden Bed.
  • August - Consider starting tomato, eggplant and capsicum seedlings indoors
  • Make your vegetable planting plan for next season according to what you want to eat
  • Clean out the shed and tidy up.
  • Sharpen and clean tools.
  • Aerate lawn and sprinkle water saving granules at end of winter.
​

PLANTING G​UIDE (for Melbourne)

Do you need help with designing or maintaining your garden bed?
​Print and personalize this plant guide to suit your requirements.
Winter
​
​Winter provides us with a challenge; to slow down, withdraw into ourselves and find stillness 
as we descend to deep inner self and brave the shadows. 

Our ancestors used to prepare foods and firewood to help us survive through the Winter.  
If we have not gathered our supplies and prepared ourselves, we may feel anxiety and depression during this season. 

Our personal challenge is to look to Winter as an adventure and have courage to brave the darkness.

Give yourself permission and acknowledge this is the perfect time for us to feel grief and fear
​and other uncomfortable sensations. 
Understanding this step is necessary to release to transform.  
Winter is a good time of the year for strengthening family and community bonds, sharing hopes and dreams, songs, stories and poems around a fire.

In Winter, prepare a place or space in your mind where you can feel cozy, nurtured and secure...  
A Winter Palace provides us with a safe space to retreat for sustenance and warmth through the darkest days.  

...it's time to create your own Winter Palace...
SEASONAL ECO-ART WORKSHOPS
Greensong Home Page
CONTACT
Home
© Deborah Punton