Welcome to our 'HowTo' Garden in Winter with Brunnings. Our garden expert friends gave us some advice about some of the things we should be looking to do in our gardens over Winter.
Most of us don’t think Mulching in the winter is as important to do as it is in the summertime, however, Mulching is an important gardening practice that has many benefits, even in the winter. Here are some reasons why you should mulch in the winter:
- Using a Mulch helps Insulate plants from cold temperatures: Mulch provides an insulating layer over the soil, which helps regulate soil temperature and prevent plants from getting too cold during the winter. This is especially important for newly planted or less hardy plants.
- Mulching helps prevent soil erosion: Winter weather can bring heavy rain, which can cause soil erosion. Mulch helps prevent this by keeping the soil in place.
- Mulching helps Retain moisture: Mulch helps retain moisture in the soil, which can be especially important during the winter months, when moisture can be lost through evaporation and cold temperatures can cause the soil to dry out. Mulch will also help improve soil structure:
- Most importantly, Mulch will suppress weed growth: Even in the winter, weeds can still grow. Mulching helps suppress weed growth by blocking light from reaching weed seeds, preventing them from germinating.
We use and recommended Brunnings Easy Wetta Mulch and Brunnings Feed N Mulch both these products can improve soil health overall and reduce the need for maintenance.
Winter is also a great time to think about growing potatoes. In South Australia, the best time to plant potatoes is late winter to early spring as they grow better in the cooler weather. Growing potatoes at home can be a fun and rewarding experience. Here are a few simple steps to get started.
- Choose the Right Potato Variety. It is important to choose the right type of potato that will thrive in your area. Varieties like Desiree, Nicola, and Russet. We have a wide range of potatoes in store now to choose from.
- Prepare your Soil, potatoes do well in soil that is well-drained and rich in nutrients. You can prepare the soil by turning it over and adding organic matter such as Brunnings Compost with Seaweed. A pH level of between 5.0 and 7.0 is ideal for potatoes.
- Once the soil is ready, you can plant the seed potatoes. Cut them into pieces that each has at least two or three eyes (the small dents on the surface of the potato). Plant them about 4-6 inches deep and about 1-2 feet apart. Cover them with soil and water well.
- Potato plants need consistent moisture to ensure that the tubers grow evenly. Water regularly but do not let the soil become waterlogged. As the plants grow, add soil to cover the stems until just the top leaves are showing. This will encourage the development of more tubers.
- Your Potatoes are ready to harvest when the plants have started to die back. You can gently dig them up, being careful not to damage the tubers. Let the potatoes dry in the sun for a few hours, then store them in a cool, dark place.
Growing potatoes can be a fun and rewarding experience. With a little bit of effort and the right conditions, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of delicious and healthy potatoes. So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and start planting!