Spring Planting Guide

Grow Your Edible Garden

• Seed Starting Indoors: Use a mini greenhouse or a bright, partially shaded, and sheltered spot to germinate seeds. Ideal crops include:
  • Basil, peppers (capsicum), chillies, eggplant
  • Melons, cucurbits (pumpkin, squash, zucchini)
  • Tomatoes
• Protecting Seedlings: Shield young plants from cold nights and frost. Gradually acclimate them to outdoor conditions.
  • Use cloches to raise temperature.
  • Budget tip: Cut plastic drink bottles in half and place over seedlings (remove the lid) to protect from slugs, snails, and birds.
• Direct Sowing Outdoors: Plant sweetcorn, beetroot, carrots, chives, coriander, dill, celery, celeriac, kale, leeks, lettuce, pak choi, parsley, parsnip, peas, radish, rocket, silverbeet, spinach, spring onion, swede, and turnips.
• Frost-Sensitive Plants: In cooler areas, plant citrus trees and other frost-sensitive species in spring. Choose a sunny, well-drained site.
• Strawberries: Plant new strawberry plants and fertilize them.
• Potatoes: Chit (sprout) early potatoes for a Christmas harvest.
  • Place seed potatoes in a tray with the eyes facing upward, in bright light.
  • Plant once sprouts reach about 1 cm.
• Kumara: Shoots become available in garden centers around October, or propagate your own.

Flower Garden Planning

• Start seeds of cosmos, lobelia, marigold, petunia, salvia, and zinnia indoors or in pots.
• Sow wildflower seeds to add color and attract beneficial insects.
• Plant dahlia tubers and tuberous begonia tubers (recommendations: nonstop begonias and Hammett dahlias).
• Protect seedlings from slugs, snails, birds, and rabbits where necessary.

Seasonal Harvest

• Harvest vegetables such as cabbages, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, herbs, beetroot, silverbeet, Florence fennel, and broad beans.
• Citrus trees may still have fruit ready to pick.
• Gather spring bulbs and fresh flowers for vases.

Shrubs and Perennials

• Trim frost-damaged growth once frost risk has passed.
• Stake tall perennials before they become heavy in summer.

Tree Care

• Check tree stakes and ties to prevent damage to trunks.

Lawn Care

• Sow lawns in early spring (though autumn is preferred).
• Keep soil moist for seed germination and continue watering until the lawn is well established.