With the onset of spring, there’s plenty of flowers and luscious new growth around. A great way to enjoy spring is walking around the suburban streets of Sydney and seeing what people do with their front gardens.

Front gardens are an interesting design challenge as they play multiple roles. At a basic level, if there is any real space, it should be useable to the occupants of the home; but front gardens are also critical in forming part of the public streetscape, just as much as the house facades behind them.

A front garden that invites passing observers to enjoy it is a generous one; conversely a mediocre front garden does detract from our public space. A well designed or well-tended garden contributes to the streetscape by not turning us away, by giving us something to enjoy and aesthetically appreciate and hopefully creating a street with its own special character.

This is done in many different ways. Sometimes it’s as simple as planting something as floriferous as this Leucospermum. Consider what your own front garden could offer the street! In the meantime, here’s some tips for November:

  • Your Citrus have probably put on a large amount of new growth by now, which will be hardened off and looking more like the older, darker green leaves. It’s a good idea to tip prune this growth on younger plants, to encourage further branching, which can be done throughout summer. Older plant can be pruned back harder to maintain at a specific size, but do this now and not during summer to avoid sunburn. And observe where flowers and fruit are occurring before pruning, to avoid losing your crop!
  • In general, it’s a good idea to avoid planting shrubs and trees from now until February if you can, as the summer heat places a lot of stress on new plants. However, you can still plant summer veggies like chillies and tomatoes, and annual flowers like petunias, calibrachoas and marigolds. If you do want to plant perennials or shrubs, make sure to keep them well-watered, and even consider some temporary shade if you can create it.
  • Gardens can also benefit from a spring clean, just like your home – give your paving a wash, pull out some weeds and put down some fresh mulch to tidy up the place before the Christmas season arrives and it’s too late!

OUTHOUSE offers in-person consultations with qualified horticulturalists to help you get the most value out of your landscape. We can provide verbal advice, planting plans or a full landscape design. Get in touch with us to discuss your needs.

View past tips for November here!