When temperatures drop, gardens often get neglected. But winter is a great time to embrace your garden. From s’mores by the fire to planting a veggie patch, here are some ideas for enjoying your garden this winter.

Install a pizza oven

It won’t feel like a chore to venture out to your backyard in the dead of winter when you get to enjoy a homemade wood-fired pizza. The Fire Brick Co. are Melbourne based experts in the brick oven arena. However, if you’re in a rental or are looking for a more portable option, check out your local Bunnings.

Grow some winter veggies

If you have the room, gardening in the winter could be just the hobby to keep you occupied during these cool few months. Your winter veggie patch ideally needs to be located somewhere that gets four to six hours of sunshine daily. Great winter vegetables to plant include leafy varieties like bok choy, lettuce, cabbage and spinach. Other options include cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, carrots and peas. Wyndham City residents can get a supportive start by joining the local Wyndham Seed Library. With the vegetables of your labour, why not make a comforting bowl of cauliflower mac and cheese or a delicious vegan stir fry?

Add a little warmth

Bring a little sunshine and warmth back into your backyard with the enticing addition of a hot tub. It’s cheaper than a pool and can work for you and your family year-round. Another option is installing an infrared sauna in your garage. The benefits include improved sleep, detoxification, muscle and joint pain relief, clearer skin and improved circulation. Intrigued? The good news is, there are compact one and two-person infrared saunas available that can squeeze into most garages.

Introduce winter-flowering plants to your garden

If you don’t have the space for a winter veggie garden, fear not! With limited gardening space, you can still embrace the cooler months and introduce winter-flowering plants to your backyard. Alyssum is a great flower for hanging pots, calendula and foxglove will bring a pop of vibrant colour to your garden, and delphinium is picky but the blooms are worth the extra TLC.

Attract local wildlife

Welcome local wildlife like birds into your garden this winter. There are a few ways to attract birds to your Wyndham City garden. First, plant native varieties to capture the attention of different bird species. For example, honeyeaters love nectar-producing flowers, while finches and parrots will always make a beeline for seeds. Secondly, invest in a birdbath surrounded by greenery and local birds will love your garden. Another investment is buying a safe place for them to shelter, like a nesting box.

Get cosy by the fire

One of our favourite winter garden ideas is to transform it into a campground with a fire pit or chiminea. Mitre 10 has an extensive collection starting from just $60. While there, really lean into the campground aesthetic and pick up some camping chairs that you can place nice and close to the fireplace. The only thing missing? Some sticks, marshmallows, chocolate and crackers to make s’mores!

Go evergreen

Add a selection of evergreen plants to your garden and it will never look bare, even in the dead of winter. The term evergreen is a misnomer though, as the plant’s foliage might be green, blue-green or golden year-round. Tree options include eucalyptus, banksia and acacias, and evergreen shrub varieties are grevilleas and callistemons.

Talk to us today

If you’re looking to sell or buy a home in Melbourne’s West this winter, get in touch with our experienced team today.