Expert Gardening Tips & Advice for Glenorchy, Hobart
Stonemans Garden Centre Blog
Winter in Tasmania means crisp mornings, short daylight hours, and the heater working overtime. While we enjoy the chance to slow down, our indoor plants need a little extra care to cope with the seasonal shift. With a few thoughtful tweaks, you can keep your houseplants happy, healthy, and pest-free all winter long. Make the Most of Limited Light *Tasmania’s shorter, often cloudier days mean less natural light for indoor plants. *Move your plants to bright, north-facing windows where they’ll get the most sun. *Avoid direct contact with cold window glass, which can damage leaves - especially during frosty nights. *Rotate pots weekly to encourage even growth. *Clean both windows and leaves to maximise light absorption. *Consider a small LED grow light if natural light is really scarce. Water with Care In cooler Tassie homes, plant growth slows—so it’s easy to overwater. *Check soil before watering - only water when the top couple of centimetres are dry. *Use room-temperature water to avoid shocking cold roots. *Good drainage is essential - don’t let pots sit in saucers full of water. *Use trays of pebbles or group plants to help create a micro-humid environment indoors. Keep Plants Comfortable
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Cabbages are a fantastic winter crop and are perfect for adding to soups, stews, and salads. Cabbages are planted from seeds or seedlings as the cooler season begins. Choosing the Right Variety Some of the most popular cabbage varieties grown include White (Cannonball), Savoy, Red cabbage and Chinese cabbage. White (Cannonball) cabbage is a compact variety that is easy to grow and produces large heads. Savoy cabbage has crinkled leaves and a mild flavour, making it a great choice for salads. Red cabbage is a colourful variety that adds a splash of colour to any dish. Chinese cabbage include Bok Choy and Pac Choy and are popular in Asian cooking. Preparing the Soil Before planting your cabbage seedlings, you will need to prepare the soil. Cabbages require well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Start by digging over the soil and removing any weeds or debris. Next, add compost or well-rotted manure to the soil to improve its fertility. You can also add some blood and bone to provide essential nutrients for your plants. Planting Your Seedlings Once you have prepared your soil, it’s time to plant your cabbage seedlings. Space your seedlings around 30cm apart to allow them enough room to grow. After planting, water your seedlings thoroughly to help them establish their roots. Using a plant tonic such as Seasol will minimise transplant shock and help your plants to have the very best start. Caring for Your Cabbages To ensure that your cabbages grow healthy and strong, there are a few things you will need to do. Firstly, you will need to water your cabbages regularly. Although cabbages are grown through winter, the soil needs to remain moist so be sure you give them a good soaking during dry periods. You will also need to protect your cabbages from pests and diseases. Common cabbage pests include cabbage white butterflies, aphids, and caterpillars. To prevent these pests from damaging your plants, you can cover them with a fine mesh netting. You can also use organic pest control methods such as neem oil or pyrethrum spray.