Keep Your Garden Thriving with these APG Winter Gardening Tips

APG is our garden maintenance business that looks after commercial properties across Adelaide.

With winter now in full swing, one of APG’s experienced Operations Managers, Scott Floyd, has taken a moment to share a few seasonal gardening tips to help you keep your outdoor spaces healthy and in great condition. With a strong background in horticulture and grounds maintenance, Scott knows how to make the most of the winter season.

Whether you are a seasoned gardener or just starting out, here are his four top tips to help your garden not only survive but thrive this winter.

"Winter offers the perfect opportunity to lay the groundwork for a vibrant and flourishing garden. I recommend planting spring-flowering bulbs such as tulips and hyacinths early in the season, as these require a period of cold to bloom at their best and will reward you with a stunning display when spring arrives.

It is also an ideal time to prepare your vegetable patch. Focus on frost-tolerant varieties that suit your local climate, including staples like broccoli, spinach, garlic, onions, and leafy greens such as lettuce and Asian greens. Brassicas like cauliflower and brussel sprouts thrive in cooler weather and will establish well in the cooler months, setting you up for a healthy and abundant spring harvest."

"Winter is the ideal season to prune deciduous trees, fruit trees, and roses while they’re in their dormant phase. With no leaves in the way, you can clearly see the structure of each plant, making it easier to remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches and shape them for strong, healthy growth. I recommend focusing on creating an open, balanced form, especially in young trees to encourage airflow and reduce the risk of pests and disease come spring. For roses, prune back to an outward-facing bud and consider applying a seaweed-based tonic to help plants recover and boost frost resistance. Use clean, sharp tools and always prune on dry days to prevent the spread of fungal infections. A well-executed winter prune improves plant health, promotes better fruiting, and ensures your garden is set up for success in the warmer months ahead."

"While many pests slow down in winter, some can still cause damage to your garden. Regularly inspect your plants for signs of pests such as aphids, scale insects or spider mites, and watch for fungal diseases that thrive in cool, damp conditions. Removing infected leaves or branches promptly reduces the spread of disease and protects healthy plants. Additionally, maintaining good garden hygiene such as clearing fallen leaves and debris, also helps reduce habitats for overwintering pests and disease spores. It is crucial to stay vigilant throughout winter to help keep your garden healthy and ready for the growing season ahead."

"Although plant growth slows above ground in winter, your garden’s soil remains active and full of life. Winter is ideal for improving soil health in preparation for spring. Add compost, aged manure or certified organic soil to improves the soil with vital nutrients and enhances its structure. These organic materials support microbial activity, improve drainage and help retain moisture, creating the perfect environment for strong root growth. If you have empty or new garden beds, now is the time to incorporate plenty of organic matter to boost nutrient levels and soil texture. Even simply turning over your veggie beds and letting them rest can break up compacted soil and prepare it for future planting. By investing in your soil during winter, you are setting up a thriving garden ready for spring."

Keep your garden healthy and thriving, ensuring it stays vibrant and beautiful all year long with Scott’s winter gardening tips.

With over 30 years of experience, APG proudly serves the Adelaide metropolitan area with a skilled team specialising in garden maintenance, re-vegetation, horticulture and landscaping. Committed to long-term sustainability, APG also fosters inclusive employment by creating meaningful opportunities for people with disability.

We partner with leading developers and councils across South Australia, including Campbelltown City Council, Renewal SA,  Ventia (Defence SA), City of Marion and  TAFE SA, delivering quality projects that benefit communities.
Learn more about APG services here.

You might also like to learn about Bedford's landscape construction social enterprise, GreenInc which grew out of APG in 2023 as an employment pathway for people of all abilities. Find out more here.