Say goodbye to cold winter days and hello to the sun and warmth of spring. Now is the perfect time to get in the garden and start planting. But what to plant? Our spring planting guide has the answers.
With the weather getting warmer, spring is the perfect time to start planting flowers, fruit trees, vegetables and herbs. However, what you can grow also depends on the soil conditions and climate where you live. With a climate as diverse as Australia’s, it’s important to know which plants are best suited to your region so that you get the best results in your garden.
Prepare your soil
Before you plant, prepare your soil by digging in compost and manure so your plants have the nutrients they need to grow. Also, make sure the soil is well watered. Then cover your garden beds in a 10cm layer of mulch to help retain the moisture.
Plant some spring colour
Australia is made up of six climatic zones and two main seasonal patterns, so depending on where you live you may be experiencing different weather conditions to other parts of the country. The following is a list of some of the more popular flowers to plant in spring:
Southern States (Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia)
• Petunias
• Snapdragons
• Marigolds
• Geraniums
Queensland
• Gardenias
• Alyssum
• Begonias
• Cosmos
• Marigolds
• Petunias
Western Australia
• Marigolds
• Portulacas
• Impatiens
• Zinnias
• Kangaroo Paw
Tasmania
• Hippeastrums
• Belladonna Lilies
• Nerines
• Giant Sunflowers
Spring fruits, vegetables and herbs
Which fruits, vegetables and herbs you can plant and successfully grow in spring will depend on the climate in your region.
Warm areas
Areas that are frost-free or only have occasional frosts. This is the area north of Coffs Harbour in New South Wales and all the way across to Geraldton in the west.
Fruits and vegetables:
• Passionfruit
• Paw paw
• Avocado
• Banana
• Citrus
• Macadamia
• Rocket
• Silverbeet
• Spring onion
• Lettuce
• Zucchini
• Pumpkin
• Leek
• Capsicum
• Cucumber
• Eggplant
• Tomatoes
Herbs:
• Parsley
• Sweet basil
• Dill
• Mint
• Marjoram
• Coriander
• Catnip
• Thyme
Cool to cold areas
Areas where there are low temperatures for long periods of time. This includes all of Tasmania, most of Victoria, the southern highlands of New South Wales, the ACT and a small part of the southern South Australia.
Fruits and vegetables:
• Strawberries
• Leeks
• Onions
• Parsnip
• Radishes
• Spinach
• Sweet corn
• Beetroot
• Tomatoes
• Peas
• Silverbeet
• Lettuce
• Swedes
• Turnips
• Cucumber
Herbs:
• Basil
• Chives
• Coriander
• Dill
• Mint
• Oregano
• Parsley
• Sage
• Thyme
Temperate zones
Where there are occasional winter frosts, this includes much of the rest of Australia, some areas of Victoria, most of South Australia and the southern Western Australia.
Fruit and vegetables:
• Blueberries
• Passionfruit
• Paw paw
• Bananas
• Citrus
• Olives
• Spring onion
• Artichoke
• Celery
• Silverbeet
• Lettuces
• Leeks
• Climbing beans
• Sweet corn
• Tomatoes
• Carrots
• Radishes
Herbs:
• Chives
• Parsley
• Catnip
• Sage
• Oregano
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Marjoram
