Natalie’s Garden Blog April/May 2025

The Autumn Garden Makeover — in Preparation for Winter

It’s a wonderful time to get our gardens organised for winter, as before we know it the first heartening signs of spring will soon be upon us.

After a long and dry, warm spell at the end of summer our gardens are welcoming with open arms the autumn rains. They’re being refreshed, soil moisture replenished, and with the cooler temperatures encourage us to ‘get physical’ with our gardening! The good news is that there’s plenty of variety on the gardening task front to keep us motivated. The still-warm soil encourages root growth in new plantings, ahead of winter’s cooler temperatures. In many ways this is the best season for sowing seeds, planting new trees, shrubs and seedlings.

Pruning in the Autumn Garden

By autumn our gardens can start to look a little tired and shabby. Pruning helps rejuvenate plants, making them less woody, and encouraging more flowers. Start by removing any dead, broken or diseased stems or branches. As a general rule prune flowering plants back by around a third, aiming to cut back to signs of green growth. But be gentle – autumn is not the time for heavy pruning. Harsh cuts can shock plants just before winter’s chill sets in and may discourage new growth. It pays not to be too tough in autumn as the colder winter temperatures and wind have yet to arrive. You don’t want to shock your plants and discourage new growth.

There are always exceptions. Not all plants like, or need, autumn pruning. Some, like chrysanthemums prefer to be pruned after the frosts, while ornamental grasses should be left just before new spring growth appears. Older foliage helps protect new spring foliage, and by not pruning you’re also not stimulating new growth too early.

Some plants offer added autumn and winter interest, or food for birds with their seed heads. These include:

• Echinacea (Cone flower)

• Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan)

• Siberian Iris

• Helleborus (Winter Rose).

Other plants like delphiniums, hollyhocks and dahlias should be allowed to die down naturally to encourage self seeding and store energy for the next season’s growth. 

Take special care with plants that bloom on old wood or develop buds in early summer – pruning them now may mean fewer flowers next year. These include:

• Azalea

• Dogwood

• Forsythia

• Deutzia

• Philadelphus (Mock orange)

• Weigela

• Lilac, Magnolia, some Hydrangeas (eg Oakleaf) and Rhododendron.

Some fruit trees can be pruned after harvest. These include:

• Feijoas, olives, figs and citrus fruits.

Grapes and kiwifruit should be pruned back to 3–5 buds and tied back to long new branches.

Plant a stonefruit tree — and you will be rewarded with fresh, nutritious, tree-ripened fruit

Stonefruit trees thrive in our predominantly sandy, light soils. Whether your favourite is apricot, peach, plum, nectarine or cherry there’s a wide variety available.  Don’t overlook dwarf growing varieties, particularly if you have a smaller garden. Keep in mind that some stonefuit trees are not self-fertile and require a pollinator partner. For example:

• Plums and sweet cherries often need a ‘buddy’ eg Black Doris, Omega and Greengage. Occasionally apricots will too.

Above: bountiful yellow-fleshed plums

In their first year of growth stonefruit trees don’t usually need pruning. Once established,  prune after fruiting in late summer, or at a pinch autumn to reduce disease risk. The vase shape pruning system works well, as it promotes good light and airflow. good light and airflow. Tip: Lemon borer is common in the area – seal all cuts with pruning paste.

National Garden Month

April was national garden month, a time to celebrate all gardens – public and private, large and small. But really, our gardens deserve to be appreciated year round. There are many beautiful gardens in Kapiti for us to celebrate, admire and visit.

Gardening brings countless benefits to our health and wellbeing. Who needs a gym membership when you’re a gardener? It keeps us physically active, stimulates creativity and even boosts brain health.

What I love most is how gardening adapts to your mood – some days are leisurely, other more energetic. Reaching, bending, lifting and pulling, improve balance, strength and co-ordination. It’s also difficult to beat the healthy eating we gain from growing, and eating our own fresh fruit and veggies. Plus a day in the garden usually guarantees a good night’s sleep!

Gardening is also deeply rewarding — reducing stress, enhancing mood, and connecting us to nature. Watching a bud grow, flower and seed is a small, daily miracle. There’s also the option of joining a community garden with the added bonus of social interaction with like-minded people.

Gardening Safety Tips

·      Wear gloves, hat and sturdy shoes

·      Keep a water bottle handy

·      Don’t forget sunscreen (especially in summer)

·      Take breaks — you don’t need to do it all at once!

This month’s gardening gems

• ANZAC Day, has just passed — a good time to remember to plant Iceland poppies

• Clear outside drains of leaves to prevent flooding.

• Rake leaves and add to your garden to create mulch.

• Brighten your winter garden with flowering annuals: Dianthus, Pansy, Cornflower, Hollyhock, Larkspur, Lobelia, Poppy, Scabiosa, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet pea, Viola and Wallflower.

• It’s time to spray your fruit trees again.

• ◦     Organic spraying oil helps control scales and mites

• ◦     Liquid Copper fungicide helps with leaf curl, leaf spots, black spot and downy mildew.

• Plant citrus trees (Lemons, Mandarins and Limes)

• Plant your sweet peas

• Continue to shake seed heads over the garden for new seedlings: parsley, coriander, carrots, sunflower, spinach and poppy to name a few.

Thanks for reading this combined April/May garden blog. And don’t forget — pick flowers not just for Mother’s Day, but every day! There’s plenty to embrace in the autumn garden, enjoy.

Natalie Quirke

Dip Hort, Dip Hort Mgt, NDH