WINTER NEWSLETTER
This time of the year is not all that nice outside with low temperatures and icy winds. 

Although there can be some nice days to get out and get some jobs done in the garden.

VEGGIE BEDS
Winter is the time to start preparing your veggie patch for Spring, rotating crops over from last year can help with growing conditions and also with pests and disease; so keeping a track of where and what you planted is a good idea.
Remove any leftover plants and weeds in your beds, adding compost/manure to help with growth of your new crop and mulch with Lucerne to help with suppressing weeds and protection from frost.
Waiting until October to plant is ideal as usually the frosts have disappeared by this time.
Now is also a great time to set up your tre. Eund frames for your climbing fruit and vegetables.
Winter is also the time to move any deciduous trees, as they have lost their leaves and are now dormant. 

It is also a good time to purchase trees and roses in bare root form and get them planted.
Prepare holes with good soil and manure and water deeply.

WINTER PRUNING
We recommend starting your Winter pruning in August, starting with your fruit trees, which will also need to be sprayed with Lime Sulphur or Copper Oxychloride to prevent disease.
These can be applied throughout Winter, until bud swelling starts.
It is recommended to alternate the two sprays each year and to also remove any old leaves on the ground.

PEST AND DISEASE
During Winter pests are still prevalent, Lace Bug and Mites will be attacking Azaleas, Laurel, Viburnum and other Ornamental plants.
Regular spraying as per instructions with a miticide is recommended inter Aphids are attacking Maples. If you are noticing stunted growth on these or all ornamentals, these sap sucking pests are the most likely culprit

MULCHING
Now is the time to be mulching your gardens, clearing away excess mulch and fallen leaves from around the trunks of plants.
Depending upon your garden, you may choose wood chip to help with suppressing weeds and holding moisture.
It is a good idea to apply a fast - acting fertiliser underneath these mulches to reduce Nitrogen depletion.
Organic Mulches such as Lucerne are a cheaper option for large areas and act as a feed to the soil and weed suppressant

LAWNS 

Damage to lawns in Winter can be caused by many things; fallen leaves, pests, weed growth and compacted soil.
A regular routine of collecting leaves from your lawn will reduce the chance of them blocking light to the lawn and killing it.

A regular pest and fertiliser program is the key to keeping on top of the health of your lawns.
Aerating your lawn will help with compacted areas.