What to Plant in Autumn in Melbourne
Autumn is one of the best times to get stuck into gardening. The days are still mild, the soil is warm, and there’s usually just enough rain to keep new plants happy and thriving. So, to make the most of the milder weather, our gardening team has helped create this handy guide!
Why Add Plants in Autumn
Autumn is a fantastic time to add new plants to your Melbourne garden because it perfectly balances mild temps, warm soil, and extra rainfall. The scorching heat of summer has passed—meaning less stress on new plants, while the soil is still warm to encourage strong root growth before winter. Plus, the soil isn’t warm enough to promote excessive evaporation. This means less watering for you (which gives your water bill a break!) and more consistent hydration for your plant friends. And, as a bonus, fewer pests and diseases are active in autumn, keeping your plants mostly free from disease. Need I say more?
Hearty Autumn Veggies
Keen for some veggie soup to get you through winter? If you want a lush vegetable garden (and the benefits of fresh veg in your kitchen) through winter and into spring, autumn is the time to start planting. Here are a few veggies (and herbs) that thrive in the colder temperatures and don’t mind a bit of autumn chill:
- Leafy greens like spinach, lettuce, silverbeet, and kale.
- Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts.
- Root vegetables like carrots, beetroot, radishes, and turnips.
- Kitchen essentials like onion and garlic.
- Quick growing greenery like snow peas, sugar snap peas, and broad beans.
- Herbs like parsley, coriander, thyme, and oregano.
Awesome Autumn Ornamentals
Keen for a colourful winter? Autumn is a great time to refresh your garden beds and keep the flowers blooming as the days get shorter. Try planting:
- Violas, pansies, primroses, snapdragons, and foxgloves.
- Beautiful bulbs like tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and crocuses.
Bonus: If you’re a native lover, autumn is a fantastic time to plant flowering species like grevilleas and kangaroo paws. These natives will attract birds and pollinators, it’s a win-win!
Terrific Autumn Trees and Shrubs
A healthy tree or shrub needs a well-established root system, especially before the ground cools and becomes hard over winter. That’s why autumn is also the best time to plant some of the bigger ticket items in your backyard:
- Fruit trees like apples, pears, plums, or citrus.
- Native shrubs, like bottlebrush and wattles.
- Hedges or screening plants.
While spring is the favourite season of any green-thumbed gardener, autumn is still a great time to get out in your backyard and plant up a storm. So, don your overalls and get digging!
Could you use some help prepping and planting your autumn garden? Here at Simply Helping, we offer a range of flexible home care services—including lawnmowing and gardening, to people from all walks of life. Click here to learn more and contact us today!
