We’ve made it to Spring! Heaters are off, and beach trips all back on the table. This is also one of the most exciting times for planting in the garden.
Flowers are abloom and there are countless edible plants to be sown. Growing our own food (and eating seasonally) is wonderful for the earth, our health and even our wallets! for the planet, your health and wellbeing, and will save you money too. Plus, I will certainly attest to the fact that there is no feeling quite like harvesting your veggie patch for a fresh salad.
The planting know-how
With warmer weather, spring is the perfect time to start planting veggies and herbs, fruit trees and flowers. Yet the specifics on what to grow also depend on soil conditions and your home’s climate. With Australia being so diverse, it’s important to know which plants are best suited to your garden.
This continent is made up of six climatic zones and two main seasonal patterns, so find yours below and happy planting!
Equatorial/tropical
Here we’re planting in Far North Queensland, Northern Territory and Northern WA.
Herbs: basil, mint, oregano , chilli, chives, dill, ginger and parsley.
Fruit and Veggies: Carrot, onion, radish, capsicum, chilli, Chinese Cabbage, beetroot, choko, corn, cucumber, french beans, leek, eggplant, lettuce, rockmelon, silver beet, spinach, sweet potato, pumpkin, tomato and watermelon.
Subtropical
Planting here covers South-east QLD & Northern NSW.
Herbs: chives, basil, mint, oregano, parsley, coriander, dill, sage and thyme.
Fruit and Veggies: beans, cabbage, carrot, beetroot, broccoli, capsicum, eggplant, Chinese cabbage, cucumber, lettuce, melons, mustard, potato, pumpkin, radish, onion, silver beet, sweet corn, parsnip, sweet potato, tomato (remember to plant after the last frost has passed) and watermelon.
Desert
This means arid or outback regions.
Herbs: It’s a good idea to do your herb planting earlier in the year, and to focus on protecting plants from the heat of late spring.
Fruit and Veggies: beans, capsicum, onion, radish and sweet corn can still do well.
Grassland
Here, we’re planting primarily in Adelaide and Perth.
Herbs: basil, chives, coriander, dill, mint, oregano, parsley, sage and thyme.
Fruit and Veggies: broccoli, carrot, celery, cucumber, lettuce, silver beet, snow pea, spinach, strawberry, sweet corn, zucchini and tomato (plant after last frost has passed).
Temperate
This covers us here at HB! As well as Sydney, coastal NSW and Victoria.
Herbs: basil, chives, coriander, dill, mint, oregano, parsley, sage and thyme.
Fruit and Veggies: beans, broccoli beetroot, capsicum, cucumber, eggplant, Chinese cabbage, endive, lettuce, melons, okra, onion, parsnip, potato, pumpkin, radish, rhubarb, rosella, silverbeet, spring onion, squash, sweet corn, sweet potato, zucchini and tomato.
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If you’ve ever wondered why the food at Happy Buddha tastes so fresh and nutritious, it’s because we have so many of our herbs and veggies sourced with love, straight from our garden!
Nisha is a freelance writer and Vedic astrologer, based in the magical Byron Hinterlands. As well as running her candle business, her life and loves involve: yoga, gardening and all things esoteric. You’ll find her out in nature, or curled up at home with a good book. Happy Buddha is one of her most treasured places on earth (and indeed where she met her fiancĂ©!).
