Fruit forests: What to plant in October
Few things beat the satisfaction of picking fruit straight from your own backyard. There’s something almost magical about wandering outside on a warm morning, plucking something ripe and sun-warmed off a tree you planted yourself, and eating it on the spot. Planting a fruit forest is one of the simplest pleasures a garden can offer, […]
Rose planting season is here: Your Northern Rivers guide.
If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to add roses to your garden, planting season is here. September marks the start of prime rose-planting season in the Northern Rivers, and with our blend of subtropical warmth, humidity, and clay-heavy soils, planting at the right time makes a real difference to how well your roses […]
Winter citrus care guide: Feeding, pruning and getting ahead of gall wasp and leaf miner
Winter is peak citrus season in our region. Healthy trees are laden with lemons, mandarins and oranges, and it’s tempting to just admire them and leave the rest until spring. But a bit of attention to your citrus over the next couple of months sets up a much healthier, more productive tree for the year […]
How to care for indoor plants this winter
Are you wondering how to care for your indoor plants this winter? In the Northern Rivers, winter isn’t brutally cold, but your indoor plants still feel the temperature drop. Our winter is mild but humid, with cooler nights, reduced sunlight and occasional cold snaps inland in areas such as Casino and Kyogle. Most indoor plants […]
Why winter is ideal for planting natives in the Northern Rivers
Traditionally, springtime is considered the ideal season for planting, but our subtropical climate offers a growing advantage for winter plantings, especially for natives. In our region, the cooler months are ideal for establishing native gardens. Many native species are adapted to the local climate and conditions, including seasonal changes. Winter planting aligns with their natural […]
The magic of camellias
The real magic of camellias lies in their timing. Just as your garden fades into winter dormancy, camellias step in to quietly steal the show. Their glossy evergreen foliage and perfectly formed blooms come in shades of white, blush, crimson and deep rose and they bring elegance and life to gardens when it’s most needed. […]
Why you should plant citrus trees now
If you’ve been thinking about planting citrus trees, March and April are the sweet spot in the Northern Rivers. The combination of warm soil, mild temperatures and more reliable moisture creates ideal conditions for young trees to establish before the extremes of summer and winter. Give your citrus a good start, and you will enjoy […]
Companion planting for cooler season veggies: What works in the Northern Rivers
As a Northern Rivers gardener, you will know we don’t really get a “proper” winter like the southern states. Instead, we get mild days, cool nights, and that glorious stretch from April to August where leafy greens behave themselves. Cool-season gardening here is less about surviving frost and more about managing moisture, airflow, pests, and […]
How to prepare garden beds for winter veggies
After a bumper winter veggie crop? Prepare your garden beds now, and you will be rewarded with a bountiful harvest in wintertime. A little effort now leads to healthier soil, stronger plants, and less work later when temperatures drop. Follow these simple steps to get your garden beds winter ready. Step 1: Clear out summer […]
Why your garden looks tired now and how to revive it
If your are wondering why your garden looks tired now, you’re not alone. Late summer in the Northern Rivers brings high heat, humidity, heavy rain, and intense sun, all of which can leave even well-established plants looking stressed. The good news? Most plants aren’t dying – they’re just fatigued. Here’s what’s happening and what you […]
What to plant in January
If you enjoy gardening it can be tempting to use your holiday time to go on a planting blitz. Selecting what to plant in January in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales should focus on survival and resilience rather than perfection. New plants require time to settle in so you will need to choose […]
Beneficial bugs for your garden
Cultivating a thriving garden isn’t just about choosing pretty plants. Creating the right ecosystem is equally important. Healthy gardens rely on an army of tiny helpers. We call them beneficial bugs. These include pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hoverflies, as well as predatory insects such as ladybugs, lacewings, and wasps. Each insect plays a […]
