Tony's Tips - April 2026
Mid autumn is one of the most rewarding times in the garden: crisp seasonal weather, gentle rainfall and the perfect conditions for planting. It’s when cool-climate favourites really shine, with winter-flowering Japonica Camellias arriving, along with the first of the season’s Hellebores in a beautiful range of colours.
Now is also the ideal time to plant Daphne, both the classic varieties and newer hybrids, for that incredible winter fragrance (just remember to plant on a slight mound for best results). For shaded spots, Plectranthus ‘Mona Lavender’ is a standout and one of my favourite autumn plants, offering long-lasting colour and effortless impact.
As the seasons shift, it’s important to adjust your care too, warm-climate plants will benefit from a feed to help them strengthen before winter, while cool-climate plants need nutrients to carry them through to spring.
Plectranthus Mona Lavender
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Camellia Brushfields Yellow
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Things to Do:
1. Time to feed
Give your Gardenias and Buffalo/Kikuyu lawns a good feed now to strengthen them ahead of winter (this will need to carry them through until September).
Camellias, Azaleas, Citrus, Daphne and most natives will also benefit from feeding, as they head into their most active growth period over the cooler months.
Roses should receive their final feed for the season now, with the next round not needed until August.
2. Caterpillar Control
Use Mavrik to control caterpillars that are chewing holes in your veggies, herbs, and ornamental plants, especially favourites like kale and parsley.
3. Plant new season veg
Plant your new season winter veggies and herbs now. Think broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, all varieties of lettuce, silverbeet, rocket and most importantly parsley!
4. Sow seeds
Sow seeds of onions, carrots, broad beans, spinach and divided garlic bulbs.
5. Plant for winter colour
Plant bulbs for winter colour but chill tulip bulbs in crisper for 6+weeks to emulate northern winter.
Plant seedlings of Pansies, Violas, Poppies, Primulas to give colour right through the cooler months and well into Spring. Plant into good potting mix or improved soil in the garden and water in with Maxicrop.