For some, winter is a time to re-set, a chance to bunker down, go slow and recharge from what has been a busy growing season. For us, our growing seasons are hot, humid, and come with incredible growth rates in our nursery trees AND everything else. Our mower becomes our most used and valuable tool, and we seem to be forever mowing the grass, thinking about mowing the grass, and trying to wrangle tall grass with the whipper snipper to keep the place looking tidy. Sound familiar? AND its exhausting!!

Winter is often seen as a time when gardens go quiet and nature slows down—but for the passionate gardener, especially a sub-tropical one, it's one of the most exciting times of the year. With crisp mornings, fresh air, and the opportunity to pause and reflect, winter offers a chance to recharge, reconnect with the rhythm of the seasons, and prepare for the abundance that spring can bring. Being in a sub tropical climate, winter can certainly be the best season for us to grow most of our salad and vegetables.

Homemade marmalade and certified organic limes- Gilldora Grove

While many plants are dormant and some of our trees are bare, there's a lot happening beneath the surface—and it's the perfect time to enjoy the beauty of winter in your garden. From harvesting citrus to making homemade marmalade and planning your next big planting project, here’s why winter is a season full of purpose.

In a sub tropical climate, winter offers a bounty of opportunity to grow winter vegetables. Although we do get cold (four frosts in a row last month!), our days warm up quickly and offer a wonderful chance to grow tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, beans, snow peas among many others. Although we do get frosts here, we try to stick to the veges that are pretty frost tolerant, though I do like to push the boundaries on this. For example, if my tomato bush is pretty advanced before the frost, it generally can handle the light frosts that we get. We always manage to eat tomatoes from the garden right through winter, getting a good jump on spring. With a little bit of planning, you too can be harvesting basketful’s of garden produce every day!

The Citrus Season: Nature’s Winter Gift

If there's one crop that truly thrives in winter, it's citrus. The colder months are bursting with the tangy fragrance and sweet juiciness of oranges, lemons, mandarins, and limes. Whether you’ve got a full orchard or just a few potted trees, citrus is winter’s shining star.

There's something deeply satisfying about harvesting your own citrus fruits on a chilly morning. Their vibrant colours and fresh scent contrast beautifully with the subdued tones of a winter garden, offering both nourishment and aesthetic delight. This season we have had such a bumper crop of mandarins, we have been selling them into a few local retail stores. Keep an eye out for them in Farmer & Sun, Coolie Fruit’s and Pomona’s Little Pantry.

Homemade Marmalade: Preserving Sunshine

Winter citrus also means it’s time for marmalade making. There’s no better way to spend a cool afternoon than in a warm kitchen, slicing oranges and simmering a pot of golden preserves. Marmalade isn’t just delicious—it's a beautiful way to capture the essence of your garden’s winter bounty.

Whether you’re gifting jars to friends or enjoying it on your morning toast, homemade marmalade connects you to your garden in a deeply rewarding way.

My recipe below is one you can take your time with. When the misty rain sets in, and your dreaming of warm sunny days, immerse yourself in the smell of citrus in your kitchen. I often start by juicing and soaking the peel, and the next day I will start the boiling part. Its definitely not a task you want to rush, as each step takes time, but its SO worth the effort.

Navel Orange Marmalade Recipe

Makes roughly 2.25kg or 5 medium jars.

Ingredients

700g (roughly 2) Navel oranges

1 Large Lemon

1.4kg Sugar

1.75L water

Method

Remove the juice from all the oranges and place into a large stainless-steel lidded pan with the water. Scrape out the inner membranes and pips of the oranges with a small knife or spoon. Try not to remove the pith. Add the juice of the lemon to the pan. Discard the lemon halves.
Finely chop the membranes and add the pips into a napkin size cotton muslin cloth. Tie this up with kitchen string and add to the pan, securing it to the pan handles.
Quarter the orange halves. Turn them peel side down and slice them evenly with a knife. Add them to the pan, and if possible leave it soak overnight. This will help the peel soften.
Next day, bring the lidded pan to a boil, turn down the heat and simmer gently for two hours. Remove the lid and set aside. The peel should by now be very tender. Warm the sugar in a low oven (140 Degrees). Remove the muslin bag and squeeze out over the pan using a sieve. Check the volume level in the pan, it should be reduced by a third.
Add the sugar slowly over low heat. Place the jars in the oven. Bring the pan to a rolling boil and start testing for a ‘set’ after 5 minutes. Scoup out a spoonful of marmalade, turn the spoon horizontally and look for a flake hanging from the side of the spoon. Once setting point is reached, remove the pan from the heat and cool for 5 minutes.
Gently stir the marmalade to evenly distribute the peel. Pour evenly among the sterilized jars and seal. Label and then enjoy with your morning toast! Yum!

Enjoy homemade marmalade on freshly baked sourdough!

Embracing the Cool Change: Feel Alive Outdoors

After the heat of summer, the fresh chill of winter is invigorating. Gardening in cooler weather can be more comfortable, making it a great time to tackle big jobs like pruning, mulching, or redesigning garden beds. It took us many seasons to work out the best design for our vege garden beds.

Spending time outdoors—even just a short walk around the garden—can boost your mood, reduce stress, give you a strong sense of vitality, and provide a fantastic outdoor activity- especially for children! The stillness of winter also invites quiet reflection, encouraging you to plan your next gardening steps with clarity and intention.

Dahlia Garden blooms — Blooms from the garden

Plan Now, Plant Later: Spring Starts in Winter

While the soil may be cold and some plants are dormant, winter is the ideal time to plan your spring garden. It’s a time to take stock of what worked, what didn’t, and what dreams you’d like to bring to life when the weather warms. My first year of dahlia growing was a wonderful experience. I planted only five tubers, and they bloomed and bloomed their little hearts out all spring, summer and autumn long! I even managed to sell a few bunches too! Naturally after this success, I decided that I should expand my dahlia patch by about 5 fold. BIG MISTAKE. Our season was so wet, and the weeds were out of control. Although I did still manage to grow such beautiful blooms, it was a very challenging season.

Sketching out new garden beds, choosing plants you’d like to try, and think about structure—this is where advanced trees come in. Buying and preparing for the planting of an advanced tree now means you’re ready to plant come early spring, giving the tree the entire growing season to establish and thrive.

Why Winter is the Best Time to Choose an Advanced Tree

Advanced trees are grown for years in nursery conditions and are ready to make an immediate impact in your garden. By selecting your tree during winter, you give yourself time to prepare the planting site and receive tailored advice from your local tree nursery.

Fraser Island Apple Tree (Gilldora Grove Nursery)

Plus, nurseries often have excellent winter stock available, and you’ll avoid the spring rush.

Some excellent advanced trees to consider:

Fraser Island Apple (Acronychia imperforata): A soft, lush native for privacy and greenery (See image )
Harpullia pendula (Tulipwood): Tidy, ornamental, and great for smaller spaces
Hoop Pine (Araucaria cunninghamii): Tall, stately, and surprisingly fast for a conifer
Lilly Pilly 'Resilience' (Syzygium australe): Hardy, bushy, and ideal for screening
Tuckeroo (Cupaniopsis anacardioides): A reliable, attractive street or feature tree

Winter Maintenance = Spring Success

While planting may be minimal, winter is a crucial time for garden maintenance. Mulch your beds to keep weeds down and retain warmth. Prune dormant trees to shape them before new growth begins. Clean and sharpen tools. Add compost to prepare the soil for planting.

Lilly Pilly ‘Resilience’ (Gilldora Grove Nursery)

Small efforts now pay off exponentially once the growing season kicks in.

Final Thoughts: Rest, Reconnect & Grow

Winter is more than a pause—it’s a quiet engine preparing the garden (and the gardener) for what’s next. Enjoy the rich rewards of the season: the citrus harvest, the still beauty of bare branches, the comforting rituals of preserving, and the joy of dreaming up a vibrant spring garden.

This season, take the time to recharge. Embrace the cool change. Plan your next move. And when the first warm breeze of spring arrives, you’ll be ready to plant your dreams—rooted in intention and full of life.

Want to place an order or get advice?

Garden design and understanding which advanced tree to buy can be a daunting experience. Scheduling a one on one appointment with me to discuss your advanced tree needs could take all the stress out of it for you! We can meet at my nursery for a tour and chat, or we can set up a zoom online.

Connect with us

Here is a link to my nursery page, and follow along on Instagram for updates as to what’s happening in the nursery and my very own garden. I share my own experiences, common pitfalls, and what works for me in our sub-tropical environment. I can also source advanced trees near me that I don’t grow myself.

Stay up to date with seasonal tips, new stock, and garden inspiration:
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Thanks for supporting local growers and Australian natives. See you at the nursery!

Happy planting!

Amy xx

Growing your landscape, one tree at a time!

Winter: The ultimate guide to Recharge, Enjoy Citrus & Plan Your Spring Garden