5 Essential Garden Products to Use This Winter

Why Winter Is a Season Worth Investing In

Experienced gardeners know winter is not a time to stop gardening - it is a season to improve soil health, sow cool-season crops, and safeguard your patch from pests and the elements. With the right winter-ready products on hand, you can keep your garden flourishing now and lay strong foundations for spring.

This guide explores five Searles products that support effective winter gardening across soil conditioning, pest control, seedling success and water management.

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1. Searles Herb and Vegetable Specialty Mix

Product: Searles Herb and Vegetable Specialty Mix

Best for: All veggies, including winter vegetables, leafy greens and container crops

Winter is the ideal time to grow herbs like coriander, parsley, and thyme, as well as vegetables like spinach, broad beans, broccoli and carrots. But these crops require the right growing conditions to perform in cooler temperatures.

Product benefits:

• Specially blended for edible plants
• Contains organic compost, wetting agents and a slow-release fertiliser
• Suitable for raised beds, planters and container growing

Why it works in winter:
Its structure improves drainage while retaining moisture-crucial for winter germination and cold-tolerant root development.

Takeaway: For productive herb and vegetable beds this winter, start with a nutrient-rich mix tailored to edibles.

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2. Searles 5IN1 Organic Fertiliser Dig In

Product: Searles 5IN1 Organic Fertiliser Dig In

Best for: Rejuvenating soil in garden beds, before or after planting

Winter is the perfect time to boost soil quality with organic matter. Whether you’re prepping for winter crops or letting a bed rest, adding Searles 5IN1 Dig In Fertiliser helps improve structure, water retention and microbial life.

Product benefits:

• Contains cow, fowl and sheep manures
• Includes mushroom compost, blood and bone, hoof and horn
• BFA certified organic
• Improves clay or sandy soils over time

How to use:
Mix one part fertiliser with three parts soil and dig into garden beds or veggie patches. Allow a few days before sowing seeds or transplanting seedlings.

Takeaway: Digging in organic matter during winter helps your soil rest, recover and come back stronger in spring.

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3. Searles Seed Raising Specialty Mix

Product: Searles Seed Raising Specialty Mix

Best for: Germinating winter vegetable and herb seeds indoors or in trays

If you’re starting your own winter crops from seed, success begins with a high-quality, fine-textured medium. Searles Seed Raising Specialty Mix provides the right conditions for uniform germination and strong seedling roots.

Product benefits:

• Ultra-fine texture to support tiny seeds
• Balanced pH and low nutrient load to encourage root initiation
• Suitable for trays, punnets and mini greenhouses

Ideal for starting:

• Lettuce, spinach, onions, carrots, cabbage
• Herbs such as parsley, coriander and dill

Takeaway: Winter sowing requires consistent moisture and good airflow; this mix helps you get it right from the start.

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4. Searles Penetraide Re-wetting Granules

Product: Searles Penetraide Re-wetting Granules

Best for: Restoring water absorption in dry, hydrophobic soils

Even in winter, many soils struggle to retain water evenly-especially after dry summers. Searles Penetraide Re-wetting Granules help correct uneven watering by improving the soil’s ability to absorb and hold moisture.

Product benefits:

• Breaks down water repellence
• Encourages even water distribution to roots
• Long-lasting granules continue working for 12 months

Use on:

• Garden beds with dry patches
• Potted plants
• Lawns that struggle to stay hydrated during dry spells

How to use:
Sprinkle over the soil surface and water in well. Can be combined with mulch or fertiliser applications.

Takeaway: A must-have for any gardener dealing with patchy, inconsistent soil moisture-even during the cooler months.

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5. Searles Ecofend Vegetable and Garden Insect and Mite Spray

Product: Searles Ecofend Vegetable and Garden Insect and Mite Spray

Best for: Protecting crops and ornamentals from cool-season pests

Winter may be quieter for insects, but certain pests like mites, aphids and whiteflies continue to cause problems-particularly on stressed indoor or greenhouse plants. Searles Ecofend Spray is a gentle, organic-approved control option and has no withholding period, so you can pick whenever you want.

Product benefits:

• Soap-based spray made from natural plant oils
• Safe for use on vegetables, herbs, fruit trees and flowers; no withholding period
• Targets aphids, mites, thrips, mealybugs and whiteflies

Best practice:
Spray early in the day and avoid applying during frost or wet conditions. Reapply as needed, especially after rain.

Takeaway: Maintain pest control in winter to prevent minor infestations from becoming major problems by spring.

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FAQs: Winter Gardening with Searles Products

Can I still fertilise during winter?

Yes. Using gentle, organic fertilisers like Searles 5IN1 Dig In or the liquid version allows you to support root health and soil life without forcing unnecessary top growth.

Is seed raising worth the effort in winter?

Absolutely. Growing from seed gives you more control over plant timing and variety. Use Searles Seed Raising Mix for best results and keep trays sheltered.

How do I know if my soil is water repellent?

If water pools on the surface or drains away without soaking in, it is likely hydrophobic. Treat it with Searles Penetraide Granules.

Can I use Ecofend indoors?

Yes. Searles Ecofend Spray is safe for indoor use on herbs, foliage plants or pot plants - just ensure good airflow and avoid overapplication.

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Final Thoughts: Winter is the Gardener’s Season of Strategy

The quieter pace of winter gives experienced gardeners the chance to refine, prepare and build strong foundations. From soil conditioning and seed starting to pest control and moisture management, these five Searles products help you garden with purpose through the coldest months.

For detailed product guides, planting calendars and expert advice, visit searlesgardening.com.au and explore the full range of winter-ready solutions.

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