Enjoy Autumn Colour with Maples

Autumn in Tasmania is synonymous with the vibrant foliage of maples, transforming gardens with rich tones of red, orange and gold. These elegant trees are a favourite for Tasmanian gardeners, offering year-round structure and breathtaking seasonal colour. Perfect for courtyards and sheltered garden spaces, maples thrive when planted in protected positions away from strong winds, harsh afternoon sun and reflected heat. When positioned well, they create a stunning focal point and elevate the overall look of your garden.

If you’re looking to add a maple to your space, the team at Stoneman’s Garden Centre can help you choose the perfect variety to suit your garden’s size, style and conditions.

Why plant maples in Tasmania?

• Ideal for courtyards and sheltered gardens
• Deliver spectacular autumn colour
• Provide elegant structure all year round

Planting tips:

• Choose a sheltered spot with protection from wind and afternoon sun
• Avoid areas with reflected heat from walls or paving
• Select a variety suited to your space and climate

A well-placed maple is one of the most rewarding additions you can make to your garden.

What to Plant in April in Tasmania

Edibles

Autumn is a fantastic time for Tasmanian gardeners, as cooler weather arrives and vegetable patches are ready to be refreshed for the season ahead. With warm soil still lingering, April is ideal for planting a wide range of winter crops that will thrive in Tasmania’s conditions.

Sow seeds:

*Broad beans      *Garlic         *Peas     *Radish     *Snow peas     *Turnips     *Spinach          *Snow Peas           

Broad beans are one of the easiest and most rewarding crops to grow from seed in Tasmania. They produce heavy yields, can be harvested young and tender, and freeze well for later use. As a bonus, they also improve soil health by fixing nitrogen, making them a valuable addition to any vegetable garden.

With the right planting now, your winter garden will be productive, nutritious, and full of life.

Plant seedlings:

*Broccoli     *Cabbage     *Celery     *Cauliflower     *Kale     *Leeks     *Onions     

*Spring Onions    *Rocket     *Silverbeet     *Swede     *Winter Lettuce     

For brassicas (like broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower), planting seedlings is often the best option in Tasmania, giving them a strong head start before winter sets in. Boost early growth with a liquid fertiliser such as PowerFeed or Macroboost Blooming Lot to help plants establish quickly.

If you’re planning to rest a garden bed over winter, now is the perfect time to sow a Green Manure crop. This improves soil structure, adds nutrients, and prepares your garden for productive spring planting.

Flowers

As summer flowers fade, it’s time to plant for a vibrant winter garden.

Plant seedlings of Pansies, Violas, Polyanthus and snapdragons for instant colour.

Top winter-flowering plants:

*Azaleas     *Camellias     *Daphne     *Ericas     *Hellebores     *Leucadendrons 

*Proteas     *Rhododendrons       

These plants bring colour, structure, and life to your garden through the colder months.



Spring Bulbs – Plant Now for Stunning Spring Colour

Spring bulbs are the hidden gems of the garden, quietly developing beneath the soil before bursting into vibrant colour in late winter and spring. In Tasmania, autumn is the perfect time to plant new season bulbs, giving them the cool conditions they need to establish strong roots and deliver spectacular blooms.

For best results, plant bulbs at a depth of approximately twice their width and ensure the soil is free-draining to prevent rot during wetter months. A great planting position is beneath deciduous trees, where bulbs receive plenty of winter sunlight and natural shade in summer.

If you’re growing tulips in Tasmania, chilling bulbs in the fridge for around six weeks before planting can significantly improve flowering performance. Once flowering has finished, feed your bulbs with a quality bulb fertiliser to support strong blooms the following year.

For more tips and inspiration, read our blog on Growing Spring Bulbs and make the most of your spring display.



You can purchase Spring Bulbs in our online shop here.

April Checklist

April is a busy transition month in Tasmanian gardens, marking the peak of autumn and the shift toward cooler weather. It’s a time of harvesting, planting and preparing - setting your garden up for a productive winter and a strong start to spring.

Harvesting & Garden Maintenance

Prevent Pumpkin Rot - As pumpkins ripen, keeping them off damp soil is key to preventing rot.

Simply place a dry, non-porous barrier underneath the fruit to improve airflow and stop moisture build-up.

What to use: Wooden boards or planks, bricks, pavers or tiles, straw or hay (for a breathable base), broken terracotta pots, cardboard or plastic trays.

Quick tips: Turn pumpkins every few days to avoid soft spots. Lift them early (around apple size) to keep them dry. Remove nearby leaves to reduce humidity. Harvest before heavy rain and finish ripening in a sunny spot.

A simple lift off the ground can make all the difference to a healthy, long-lasting harvest.

• Harvest remaining summer crops like tomatoes, zucchini and capsicums
• Continue picking autumn produce such as beetroot, celery and spinach
• Save seeds from heirloom vegetables and flowers for next season
• Clean up garden beds – remove spent crops, old tomato plants and fallen fruit to reduce pest problems
• Prune shrubs and climbers after flowering and lightly trim perennials
• Prune raspberry canes (late autumn), then feed and mulch well
• Repair lawns after summer - reseeding now will help them recover before winter

Pest Control & Protection

• Watch for cabbage moth – caterpillars often appear mid-autumn; protect crops with netting or treat with Eco Caterpillar Killer
• Check lawns for grubs if you notice patchy areas or small holes
• Monitor azaleas for leaf miner activity over the coming weeks
• Control snails and slugs, which thrive in damp autumn conditions
• Prepare for frost – have covers ready for tender plants as nights cool down

Autumn is also a beautiful planting season, with camellias, azaleas and daphne arriving in store - perfect for adding colour, structure and fragrance to your winter garden.



A little effort in April goes a long way - helping your garden stay healthy, productive and ready for the seasons ahead.