FEBRUARY 2026: Autumn Anticipation – Garden Renovation & Refresh
Welcome to February, Sydney! We're in the latter half of summer, and while the heat may still be on, there’s a subtle shift in the air. This month, our trend is about Garden Renovation & Refresh, looking ahead to the glorious autumn planting season. It’s the perfect time to assess your summer garden and plan for its next transformation.
The Trend: Seasonal Reset & Planning After the exuberance of spring and the intensity of summer, the garden can look a little tired. This trend encourages a mid-to-late summer assessment: what worked, what didn't, and what needs a facelift? It's about tidying up, light pruning, and planning for the prime planting window that autumn offers.
Sydney Application: Preparing for Perfection Sydney's autumn is one of the best times to garden – cooler temperatures, consistent rainfall (often!), and plenty of growing time before winter. Use February to clear out spent summer crops, rejuvenate soil, and get your ducks in a row for autumn planting.
What to "Plant" Now in Sydney (Preparation & Early Cool Season):
Renovation & Soil Revival:
Clear Out Spent Summer Crops: Remove any vegetable plants that are past their prime.
Compost & Amend Soil: Dig in plenty of compost, aged manure, and other organic matter to replenish nutrients lost during summer. This is crucial prep for autumn veggies.
Weed Control: Tackle summer weeds before they go to seed.
Light Pruning: Give a light prune to summer-flowering shrubs that have finished blooming to encourage new growth and maintain shape.
Early Autumn Plantings (Get a Head Start):
Autumn/Winter Annuals: Start sourcing or sowing seeds for pansies, violas, primulas, calendulas, and cinerarias for autumn and winter colour.
Brassicas: If you're keen, you can start seedlings indoors or in a protected spot for broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts to transplant next month.
Leafy Greens: Plant successive batches of spinach, silverbeet, and some heat-tolerant lettuce varieties.
Green Manure: Consider planting a green manure crop in empty beds to improve soil fertility and structure before your main autumn planting.
February Gardening Tip: Keep up with consistent watering, especially for plants still actively growing or flowering. However, with the slight easing of summer, you might be able to reduce frequency slightly if there's natural rainfall. Keep an eye out for fruit fly on any ripening fruit and take preventative measures.
This February, take a breath, assess your garden, and prepare for the wonderful planting opportunities that autumn in Sydney will bring!