Lexi Webster
April is a great time to get your garden ready for the oncoming winter in Australia. It is the perfect time to plant vegetables and herbs, such as leafy greens, carrots, coriander, parsley, and potatoes. It is also a good time to plant flowers like sunflowers, sweet pea, and roses. If you live in Victoria, it is the perfect time to plant citrus trees, such as lemons, oranges, or limes. If you live in a warmer climate, you can plant tropical fruits like pineapples, rockmelons, and lychees.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vegetables | Asian greens, lettuce, cabbage, silverbeet, rocket, spinach, carrots, artichoke, beetroot, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, tomatoes, chilli, garlic, radish, cucumber, pumpkin, sweet corn, squash, sweet potatoes, zucchinis, spring onions, asparagus, celery, endive, onions, leeks |
| Fruits | Pineapples, rockmelons, lychee, paw paw, watermelon, mangoes, passionfruit, persimmons, pomegranates, blackberries, dragon fruit, grapes, figs |
| Flowers | Dahlias, azaleas, gerberas, jasmine, lilies, marigolds, gardenias, orchids, sunflowers, roses, sweet pea, lavender |
| Herbs | Coriander, parsley, lemon grass, chamomile, oregano, basil, mint, thyme |
| General Gardening Tips | Prepare soil for planting bare-root deciduous trees, trim hedges, clean algae from paths, fertilise bougainvilleas and hibiscus, prune perennials, clean up fruit trees, prepare spots for planting bare root roses, plant broad beans, fertilise lawn |
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What You'll Learn
Vegetables and herbs to plant
April is a great time to start planting vegetables and herbs in Australia. Here are some ideas for what you can plant this month:
Leafy greens
Asian greens, lettuce, mizuna, cabbage, silverbeet, rocket, and spinach are all great options to plant in April. These vegetables will thrive and provide you with an abundance of healthy options for your meals.
Root vegetables
Carrots are a must-have in your garden this month. They are tasty and enjoyed by everyone, including the bunnies! You can also plant potatoes, which are easy to grow and incredibly rewarding.
Other vegetables
Artichokes are a gorgeous addition to any garden, with their unique appearance and delicious taste. You can also plant broccoli, beetroot, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, tomatoes, chilli, garlic, radish, and spring onions. If you live in the tropical north, you can try planting cucumber, pumpkin, sweet corn, squash, sweet potatoes, and zucchinis.
Herbs
Coriander, parsley, lemon grass, chamomile, and oregano are great choices for your herb garden in April. You can also plant basil, mint, and thyme to add fresh flavours to your cooking.
Flowers
In addition to vegetables and herbs, April is a great time to plant flowers to add colour and beauty to your garden. Marigolds, dianthus, cornflowers, pansies, violas, and echinacea are all wonderful options to consider. These flowers will not only brighten up your garden but also attract beneficial insects.
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Flowers to plant
April is a great time to add some colour to your garden with a variety of flowers. Dahlias, for instance, produce colourful blooms throughout the summer and well into autumn in Australia. Azaleas are another option, filling your garden with masses of colourful blooms in spring and winter. They are quite tolerant and can handle a range of conditions. Gerberas produce bright, colourful flowers on long stems during the warmer months.
For something more fragrant, consider Jasmine (Jasmine polyanthum), a vigorous vine with sweetly scented white and pink blushed blooms throughout spring and summer. Lilies or lilium are summer flowering bulbs with fragrant blooms that will grow in most climates. Gardenias are warm climate flowering shrubs or small trees, loved for their beautifully perfumed blooms.
If you want to grow something spectacular, sunflowers are a great option. They come in a range of sizes and are sure to add a touch of drama to your garden. For something more delicate, try sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus), a popular climbing plant that produces masses of flowers. Roses are also a versatile option, producing vibrant colour and fragrance.
Citrus trees are a great option for Victorians, with their beautiful foliage, pretty flowers and productivity. They grow well in pots, but be sure to use a premium potting mix and ensure the soil drains well.
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Pruning and fertilising
Pruning:
Pruning is an essential part of maintaining a healthy garden. Autumn is the perfect time for pruning, as it encourages new growth and helps keep your plants looking neat and tidy. Here are some specific pruning tips for April:
- Remove dead wood and spent flowers from perennials.
- Prune evergreen shrubs.
- Cut back perennials such as sedums, gaurus, and asters that may have become unruly after summer-autumn flowering.
- Give hedges a final shaping trim before winter.
- Clean up fruit trees and remove any rotting fruit.
Fertilising:
Fertilising is crucial to ensure your plants are getting the nutrients they need to thrive. However, it is important not to over-fertilise, as this can do more harm than good. Here are some fertilising tips for April:
- Use a low-environmental impact liquid fertiliser to give your plants a boost as they establish themselves. Seaweed tea is a great option.
- If you have a citrus tree, ensure you are fertilising at least every season to encourage a strong harvest. Citrus trees are heavy feeders and will benefit from regular fertiliser applications.
- When preparing spots for planting bare root roses, mix in organic matter to provide additional nutrients.
- Fertilise bougainvilleas and hibiscus.
- If you have a lawn, repair any summer damage with fresh seed and a complete fertiliser.
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Fruit trees
Australia's varied climate allows for the cultivation of different fruits all year round. April is the time to harvest Granny Smith apples, but you can also start planting fruit trees for the next season.
When planting fruit trees, it is important to consider the climate in your region. Australia has many different climate types, which can limit where certain fruit trees can grow. For example, high-chill varieties are only suitable for colder regions in the south of Australia, whereas tropical fruit trees are best planted in Queensland.
In addition to climate considerations, fruit trees need regular and consistent sunlight, good drainage, protection from the wind, and enough space to grow. The surface soil should be soft and deep, with a pH between 5.8 and 6.5.
Some fruit trees, like pears and apples, need to be planted in pairs so they can cross-pollinate. Other fruit trees that thrive in containers include cherries, apples, nectarines, tangerines, lemons, and limes.
If you live in a tropical or subtropical climate, you can try growing lychees, pineapples, pawpaw or papaya, mulberries, mangoes, passionfruit, or dragon fruit. For cooler climates, consider pomegranates, which are native to the Middle East and grow well in Australia.
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Climbers
If you're looking for a fast-growing climber, consider the Hardenbergia violacea, commonly known as the "Happy Wanderer" or "Purple Coral Pea". This native Australian plant is known for its vigorous growth and ability to quickly cover fences, trellises, and other supports. Another fast-growing option is the passionfruit vine, which can grow up to 7 meters high and 2.5 meters across. It thrives in sunny areas and can start bearing fruit after 12-18 months.
For a fragrant option, try jasmine. Jasmine is a sweet-smelling vine with creamy white flowers that thrive in warm and temperate climates. It can be trained to climb trellises or fences, and some variations can grow up to 10 feet. Just be aware that jasmine plants can be weedy, so regular pruning is necessary.
If you're looking for something a little more unusual, consider the bluebell creeper, a native Australian species that can twine around trellises, walls, or posts. It has small, deep blue flowers with a bell-like hanging shape and develops oval, apple-like fruits during autumn.
For those with pergolas, the grapevine is an excellent choice. It grows well in sunny positions and loves well-drained soil. Pruning is best done during winter to prepare the wood for fruit-bearing.
Finally, for an edible climber, you could try a choko vine or climbing spinach, peas, snow peas, beans, or cucumbers.
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Frequently asked questions
Vegetables you can plant during April include lettuce, rocket, spinach, radish, celery, artichoke, broccoli, and carrots.
Fruits you can plant during April include pineapples, rockmelons, lychees, and pomegranates.
Flowers you can plant during April include sweet peas, sunflowers, roses, orchids, and marigolds.
April is a great time to prune and prepare your garden for winter. You can also plant herbs like coriander, parsley, and oregano. Remember to fertilise your plants, but don't overdo it.
