With wintry weather underway in many parts of Australia, I’ve been enjoying the seasonal change in my garden and its trees.

Following the busy spring, summer and autumn seasons, things slow down in winter and I can have a really good look at what is going on with plants and soils.

In fact, winter is a really great time to get a few important jobs done in the garden.

1. Making the most of mulch

Start by checking the depth and spread of mulch. Mulch will keep soils moist, acting as an insulating blanket to keep soils warmer and it always makes weeding easier.

Knowing your mulch was perfectly fine in spring can lead to a false sense of security. Mulch can break down rapidly over the warmer months – so check now to ensure a 75-100 mm depth and proper coverage over areas you plan to plant out in spring.

Use any fallen autumn leaves as part of your mulch; never underestimate the value of mulch and leaf litter to keep soils hydrated, healthy and full of nutrients.

2. Tackling disease and pests

Take this time to remove any pest- or disease-affected foliage. Look for clues such as:

coloured spots on leaves

leaves that have already started to rot, and

old leaves........

© The Conversation