March in Melbourne marks the beginning of Autumn, and it's a fantastic time to prepare your garden for the cooler months ahead. Here are some gardening tasks you can consider for this time of the year:
1. **Plant Cool-Season Vegetables:**
Begin sowing or transplanting cool-season vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, kale, spinach, and peas. These crops thrive in the milder temperatures of autumn.
2. **Harvest Summer Crops:**
Gather the last of your summer crops like tomatoes, capsicums, chilli's and zucchini. Use or preserve them for later use.
3. **Prune Deciduous Trees and Shrubs:**
March is an ideal time to prune deciduous trees and shrubs before winter sets in. Remove dead or damaged branches to encourage healthy growth.
4. **Mulch Garden Beds:**
Apply a layer of mulch to garden beds to help retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weed growth. My favorite to use in the vegetable gardens is Sugar Cane mulch and I like to use Bush Mulch for perennial garden beds and paths.
5. **Divide and Transplant Perennials:**
Divide overgrown perennials and transplant them to rejuvenate and spread their beauty. It's also a good time to move plants to more suitable locations.
6. **Prepare for Autumn Blooms:**
Plant autumn-flowering bulbs such as daffodils, crocus, and hyacinths to add color to your garden in the coming months.
7. **Fertilise Plants:**
Provide a balanced organic fertiliser to your garden beds to fortify the soil and promote healthy plant growth.
8. **Check Irrigation Systems:**
Ensure your irrigation systems are in good working order. Adjust watering schedules based on the decreasing temperatures and reduced plant water requirements.
9. **Clean Garden Tools:**
Clean and sharpen your gardening tools. Well-maintained tools make your gardening tasks more efficient.
10. **Prepare Compost Bins:**
Turn your compost and ensure it's breaking down effectively. Use finished compost to enrich the soil in preparation for autumn planting.
11. **Protect Plants from Late Heat:**
Although autumn is setting in, March in Melbourne can still have some warm days. Provide shade or water more frequently if needed, especially for young or vulnerable plants. I use scrap pieces and off cuts of shade cloth to throw over the most sensitive plants in the garden. Some plants in pots, I bring inside for the day.
12. **Plan for Winter Planting:**
Research and plan for winter crops and flowers. Make a planting schedule to ensure a continuous harvest throughout the cooler months.
13. **Attract Beneficial Insects:**
Introduce plants that attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings to help control pests in a natural way.
14. **Create a Garden Journal:**
Start a garden journal to document your observations, plans, and successes. It can be a helpful reference for future gardening endeavors.
By tending to these tasks in March, you'll set the stage for a vibrant and thriving garden throughout the autumn and into the winter months. Happy gardening!
