A garden for all seasons

When it comes to gardening, it's usually the thought of sunny summer weather that first springs to mind.

But even though the mercury is dropping, that's no reason to put your gardening dreams on the shelf for another few seasons.

In fact, winter gardening can be rewarding and fun - and there are a number of great DIY garden options that are suitable for our relatively mild Australian winters.

One popular flower choice is the Camellia japonica. Heralding from Japan, this relative of the tea leaf grows as a wildflower in several Asian nations, according to the Newcastle Star.

The lighter the bloom, the less sun this type of flower needs - and with winter just a few short days away, it's nearly time for these petals to burst into bloom.

According to the NSW publication, Camellia japonica are equally at home in a garden flowerbed or in a humble pot on a balcony or verandah - making it the perfect DIY garden essential for a property of any size.

Winter is also a great time to start thinking about garden accessories, including rainwater storage tanks.

Rainwater can be perfect for gardening, as well as cleaning and other household necessities - and now might be the perfect time of year to install a tank.

BlueScope Water's Daniel Wyatt told the West Australian that "just before winter" is the best time to start thinking about adding this eco-friendly essential to your garden.