I just bought a home in Sydney with a fairly large backyard, but it’s now late June, and Sydney nights are getting really cold. I’ve been thinking about starting some landscaping to make the space more usable, but I’m not sure if winter is a terrible time for planting or laying turf. Some people have told me it’s better to wait until spring, while others say certain plants do better if they’re established during the cooler months. I don’t want to waste money or effort if the timing isn’t right. Should I wait or get started now?

Hey, I totally get your hesitation. I just tackled a similar Sydney landscape design project in my backyard here during July, and honestly, winter isn’t as bad as I thought. Some plants actually get a head start if you plant them now, because the soil retains moisture better and they establish roots before spring. I did wait on laying new turf until a milder spell, but I got heaps done with shrubs and garden beds. If you want some guidance, I found the A1 Gardening & Landscaping Sydney site handy, they had tips on what works well in cooler months.