What to Get in the Ground Before the Weather Warms Up
Spring is the season gardeners wait for all year — longer days, milder nights, and soil that’s ready to burst into life. But with the weather warming quickly, there’s a sweet spot for planting. Miss it, and you risk crops bolting, drying out, or struggling in the summer heat.
Here’s your spring planting blitz guide to make the most of this window of time.
🥕 Vegetables to Plant Now
- Tomatoes – The star of summer gardens. Start seedlings indoors or plant young transplants once frosts have passed.
- Zucchini & Cucumbers – Fast growers that thrive as the soil warms.
- Beans – Climbing or bush varieties love spring and will reward you with steady harvests.
- Capsicum & Chillies – Get them in early so fruiting lines up with summer.
- Salad Greens – Lettuce, rocket, and spinach grow quickly now but may bolt in high summer, so stagger plantings for constant supply.
- Root Veggies – Beetroot, carrots, and radishes can be sown directly now for early harvests.
🍓 Fruits & Extras
- Strawberries – Plant crowns now for sweet berries by early summer.
- Melons – Rockmelon and watermelon need warmth and a head start to thrive.
- Herbs – Basil, parsley, and coriander grow quickly in spring — perfect for fresh summer cooking.
🧤 Spring Planting Tips
- Prepare beds well: Add compost and mulch to enrich the soil and lock in moisture.
- Stagger sowings: Plant smaller batches every couple of weeks for a longer harvest.
- Think ahead: Use trellises for climbing beans, tomatoes, and cucumbers before they tangle themselves.
- Protect seedlings: Use cloches or old milk bottles to shield from late frosts or strong winds.
👩👧 Family Involvement
Spring planting is a great activity for kids — let them drop seeds into holes, help water, or decorate recycled garden markers. Getting little hands into the soil helps them connect with where food comes from.
🌿 Final Thought
Spring is short, but the rewards are long. A little planning and a weekend planting blitz now will set you up for months of fresh, colourful, homegrown produce right through to summer.