Isn’t it wonderful to welcome back Spring! The days are getting longer and warmer, we’re getting out more to soak up the sunshine and there’s a new menu of seasonal fresh produce to enjoy.
So, what are the best veggies to plant now, and when will they be ready to eat? You’ll find all you need to know – what to plant, growing conditions and care instructions – right here, in our Spring Veg Planting Guide.
Why grow your own spring veg?
It’s extremely satisfying to plant, grow and harvest your own vegetables. Eating seasonally, from your own garden, has many benefits. The veg you produce at home is fresher, tastier and far more nutrient dense. It is 100% organic and cheaper than buying from the supermarket.
So what seasonal veg should you planting right now
Our favourite produce for spring veg planting
For quick harvest:
- Leafy greens (lettuce, rocket, silver beet, Asian greens, watercress)
- Beans (bush and climbing)
- Radish
- Beetroot
- Carrots
- Chillies
- Cucumbers
- Cherry tomatoes
- Spring onions
Veggies that will a little longer to grow:
- Sweet corn
- Capsicum
- Eggplant
- Lemongrass
- Pumpkin
- Watermelon
- Rockmelon
- Large tomatoes
- Celery
- Sweet Potato
- Ginger
- Turmeric
Quick-growing herbs to plant in Spring:
- Basil
- Chives
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Mint
- Rosemary
How to grow healthy and robust Spring veg
Veggies need healthy soil, lots of sunlight and plenty of water.
Before you sow your plants, first make sure they will be positioned to receive around 5 to 6 hours of direct sun each day. Note: you may also need to install a screening or shade cloth, so as to protect your veggies from the hot Qld sun as we get closer to Summer.
Growing your veg in the ground
To grow in the ground you’ll need to prepare your soil, by adding organic matter such as compost or animal manure. Rake your garden bed and water well. Then mulch with sugarcane mulch, lucerne of pea straw.
Leave it your garden bed for one week. This will allow the organic matter to start breaking down and releasing nutrients.
Next, plant your seeds or transfer your seedlings into the soil and water them in with liquid seaweed. Be sure to water your plants every two days (weather dependent), giving them a deeper watering in the first few weeks. This will encourage root growth and hardiness.
Fertilise your plants fortnightly using a fish emulsion with seaweed and apply organic manure fertiliser pellets every few weeks. Also keep an eye out for snails and slugs – it’s a good idea to have a pet-friendly spray on hand to keep them at bay.
Growing your veg in pots
Using a good quality potting mix (don’t skimp on this one), plant your seeds or seedlings and water them in with a liquid seaweed. You may need to water these every day, as plants in pots need more frequent watering.
Hint: You can check if your plant needs more water by poking your finger a few inches into the soil to see if it’s moist or dry.
Apply liquid fertiliser along with a fish emulsion once a fortnight, along with regular doses of liquid seaweed.
Should you buy seedlings or grow from seed?
While seeds are a cheaper option, seedlings are much faster to grow. In fact, starting with seedlings can save you up to 6 weeks growing time.
A few questions to consider when deciding whether to grow from seedling or seed include:
- Is the vegetable easy to germinate from seed?
- Does the vegetable need extra care to grow from a seed?
- Does the vegetable transplant well (from the seedling container to soil)?
Once you decide on what you’d like to grow, ask your local nursery for advice on whether seedlings or seeds are best for you.
So there you have it – all you need to know about Spring veg planting. Except for just one thing – the joy you’ll get from growing your own veg has to be experienced to believe! Now over to you, enjoy.
We’d love to see your veggie garden grow – from seed to harvest and crunchy goodness on your plate! Please send us pics of your amazing gardens and fresh produce to hello@livinggems.com.au.
