Autumn is a magical time in Queenstown. With its crisp air and beautiful autumn colours, it’s the perfect season to prepare for the cooler months ahead. These Autumn gardening tips will help you make the most of the season and ensure that your Hanley’s Farm garden thrives well into spring!
Harvest
As the growing season winds down, it’s time to harvest any remaining summer crops. Be sure to gather your vegetables and fruits before the Queenstown frost hits. Early harvesting helps prevent damage from cold weather and ensures you get the most out of your crops. Autumn is also a great time to start collecting seeds from your plants to save for next year’s garden.
Prune Fruit Trees
After the growing season, give your fruit trees some attention. Autumn is a great time to prune, ensuring they stay healthy and well-shaped for the following year’s fruit production. Be sure not to over-prune, as you want to avoid stressing the tree too much. Trim away any dead or damaged branches and thin out any overcrowded areas to allow more light and airflow.
Prepare the Soil
Autumn is the perfect time to enrich your soil. Adding compost or well-rotted manure to your garden beds will give your plants the nutrients they need to flourish next season. If you’re planning to grow vegetables, this is a great opportunity to give your soil a good boost before planting in spring. Dewy nights and cooler conditions mean that snails and slugs are about, so fertiliser is very important.
Plant Autumn Vegetables
As the temperature drops, it’s time to plant cool-season vegetables that thrive in the crisp autumn air. Vegetables like spinach, kale, cauliflower, and cabbage are ideal for planting in Queenstown’s autumn months. These hardy vegetables love the cooler weather, and you’ll be able to harvest them well into winter. Asian greens such as Bok Choy, Chinese broccoli and Choy Sum grow quickly, making them an ideal choice for gardeners looking to add healthy, delicious vegetables to their plates this winter.
Mulch the Garden
One of the most important steps you can take in autumn is to add mulch to your garden beds. Mulching helps maintain a consistent soil temperature, retains moisture, and prevents weeds from sprouting. As temperatures start to dip in Queenstown, mulching also helps insulate the soil, which is especially beneficial for younger plants that are still growing.
Protect the Plants from Frost
Queenstown is no stranger to early frosts, which can be hard on tender plants. As the nights start to get colder, be proactive about protecting vulnerable plants. Use frost cloths to cover tender plants during frosty nights or move potted plants into sheltered areas where they’ll be protected from the cold. This extra layer of protection will help your plants survive until the frost passes.
These autumn gardening tips will help to ensure that your garden at Hanley’s Farm thrives as the colder months approach. With a bit of preparation, you’ll not only embrace the beauty of Queenstown this autumn but also look forward to a vibrant, healthy garden.
If you’re a keen gardener and interested in joining our Hanley’s Farm Community Garden, you can fill out your interest here or, you can email hanleysfarmcommunitygarden@gmail.com.