A Melbourne winter can be tough on even the most resilient gardens — from soggy lawns and frostbitten leaves to dormant, lifeless-looking flower beds. But cold weather doesn’t mean your garden has to go into hibernation. In fact, winter is the ideal time to prepare your outdoor space for a vibrant spring and summer ahead.
At Luma Landscapes, we believe that with the right care, your garden can not only survive the chill but actually thrive through it. Whether you’re working with a courtyard or a full backyard, here are five expert tips to help you maintain a healthy, functional and beautiful garden through Melbourne’s colder, wetter months.
Stay Consistent with Garden Maintenance
It might be tempting to ignore your garden until the sun returns, but regular maintenance in winter makes a big difference.
Start with a tidy-up. Remove fallen leaves, prune back dead or diseased growth, and cut away any plants that are crowding your space. This reduces the risk of fungal diseases, which thrive in damp winter conditions.
Prune with purpose. Winter is a great time to prune deciduous trees and shrubs while they’re dormant. If you have fruit trees, now is the time to shape them and remove older wood. For rose lovers, a light winter prune helps encourage stronger blooms come spring.
Lawn care matters too. Limit foot traffic during wetter weeks to prevent compacting the soil, and edge your lawn to keep garden beds neat. A tidy garden not only looks better but functions better through winter.
Select Plants That Thrive in Cold and Wet Conditions
Don’t let grey skies fool you — winter gardens can still offer texture, structure and colour with the right plant choices.
Evergreens are your best friend in winter. Hardy shrubs and groundcovers like westringia, viburnum or camellia provide year-round structure and soft, green interest.
Add colour with perennials and flowers. Cyclamens are a great option for winter pots and shady beds, while winter flowering perennials like hellebores or native grevilleas offer beauty and support pollinators during the off-season.
Drainage is key. Winter rain can overwhelm poorly drained soils, so ensure any new plantings are in well-prepared soil with good runoff.
Plant Productively Through the Cold Months
Winter doesn’t mean the planting stops. It just means planting smarter.
Grow what thrives in the cold. Winter vegetables like broccoli, silverbeet, peas, and kale flourish in cooler temperatures and help keep your garden productive. Herbs like thyme, parsley and coriander also do well in winter.
Choose perennials that work hard. Plants like kangaroo paw and echinacea may not flower now, but planting them early sets them up to burst into life in spring.
Consider drought-tolerant species even in winter. These hardy plants handle wet conditions well and reduce the need for intervention later in the year.
Compost your cuttings and leaves. Winter is an ideal time to build soil health and structure in garden beds using compost or well-rotted manure.
Protect Plants from Frost and Fungal Trouble
Melbourne’s cold snaps can catch even the hardiest gardens off guard. Protecting your plants now can save them from major damage.
Cover frost-sensitive plants. Use frost cloth, old sheets, or horticultural fleece on frosty nights. Remove them during the day so plants can breathe and get sunlight.
Mulch is your winter shield. Apply a 5–10 cm layer of mulch to insulate roots, regulate soil temperature, and reduce fungal splash from rain.
Don’t forget airflow. Damp, still environments promote powdery mildew and root rot. Space plants well and prune to encourage circulation.
Plan Now for a Strong Spring Start
Winter is a quiet time for the garden above ground — but beneath the soil, it’s the ideal opportunity to prepare for the growing season ahead.
Start composting if you haven’t already. Kitchen scraps and garden waste turn into nutrient-rich soil food that can power your garden come spring.
Review your layout. Use winter’s downtime to assess what’s working and what isn’t. It’s a great time to rework beds, improve drainage or even introduce new zones.
Prep planting beds now. Remove weeds, enrich the soil, and define your space — so when spring arrives, you’re ready to plant straight away.
Conclusion
Winter might seem like the off-season for your garden, but it’s one of the most important times for care and planning. With the right maintenance, plant choices, and frost protection, your garden will not only survive Melbourne’s cold and wet months — it’ll be set up to flourish in the seasons ahead.
Contact us today to schedule your consultation, or view our range of projects to see how we can transform your landscape. Let’s work together to turn your garden into a beautiful, functional outdoor sanctuary — in every season.
