Growing for Success | Autumn seedlings are here

We have delayed the arrival of some of this stock because, unlike Melbourne, our autumn does not really kick in until late March when the weather cools down a little more.

The seedling growers changed their range to their autumn-winter selection in January, but up until now, it has been way too hot for us to stock them, as it would only set gardeners up for failure.

However, with the weather changing in the coming weeks, gardeners will need to get their seedlings planted while there is still warmth in the soil so that the plants can establish before winter.

With that in mind, we have our first full range of autumn-winter seedlings arriving this week.

Winter-flowering seedlings include popular and showy plants such as pansies and cyclamen, which will brighten up those dreary winter days ahead.

There is quite a range, so here are just a few to keep an eye out for.

I will start with Austral Stock because these really need to be planted early; otherwise, you will not get that wonderfully fragrant display they are so renowned for.

Stock plants are usually grown as a second-row plant with a lower border plant in front.

Planted now, they will grow to about 40cm high and will flower from April through to the first few warm days of spring.

Pansies, on the other hand, will flower from now right through to December.

With their bright-coloured faces, pansies make a colourful front-row border plant.

They also come in a spreading variety that looks great in hanging baskets and pots.

Violas are like a smaller version of pansies, with smaller flowers and leaves.

Often known as Johnny Jump Ups, they will flower en masse for months.

Varieties such as Honeybee and Orange Jump Up were the most in demand last year.

Begonia semperflorens makes a beautiful front-row border display or tub plant.

In less frosty positions, they can often flower across all four seasons, with their pink, red and white flowers contrasting nicely against their bright-green or bronze foliage.

Cyclamens are not often thought of as plants for a colourful border in the garden, but with the shorter-growing varieties now available in seedling form, they can work well.

Their red, pink, white, mauve and magenta flowers sit proudly above their marbled green leaves.

If you are looking for a hit of colour in a shady, protected position in the garden, it is hard to go past cinerarias.

These come in varieties that range in height from 40cm for second-row planting to large 60 to 70cm plants that can fill out an empty space setback in the garden.

Their daisy-like flowers often have a white centre with blue, red or pink petals.

Cinerarias are frost-tender, so make sure they have enough surrounding foliage or are set back far enough in the garden for protection.

Other flowering autumn seedlings include foxgloves, delphiniums, nemesia, primulas, polyanthus and calendula.

With the addition of all-season seedlings such as snapdragons, alyssum, lobelia and sweet William, there are plenty of options to add a riot of colour to your garden for the winter months.

Along with the winter flowers come the autumn-winter vegetables, and now is the time to get them in the ground.

Dig over the veggie patch, turning in any mulch such as lucerne or sugar cane that you may have had on the bed.

Add a bit of compost or manure, along with some blood and bone or a similar fertiliser.

Give it a rake over, and you are ready to plant your next crop.

All the brassicas are now available, including broccoli, broccolini, cabbage, cauliflower, kale and Brussels sprouts.

Onions, chives, peas, beetroot, lettuce, carrots (from seed), leeks, radish, silverbeet and spinach can all be planted now and will be on your plate in no time.

So, make the most of the beautiful autumn weather and start your planting now.

You will have a garden full of colour through the winter and a belly full of fresh produce to keep you warm.