Sow, grow, harvest! Top vegetables to plant in spring

Spring has sprouted! Sleeping plants are waking, iconic blooms like wattle and bottlebrush are starting to flower, and native birds, insects and bees are becoming more active, helping pollination and bringing our gardens to life.

As well as being a great time to prune and trim, remove weeds from your garden beds and prepare the soil with fertiliser and mulch, spring is the best season to plant new seeds and bulbs and start your very own veggie garden!

If you’re wondering what the best vegetables to plant in early spring are, Jack’s got your back. We’ve also got recommendations on other edibles you might want to sow, including fruits, herbs and flowers.

Plus, if you’re looking for some planting inspo for smaller spaces, get ready to be inspired!

Before we dig into the top spring veggies and edibles, let’s begin our spring planting guide with some prep. Because, without background work, your garden harvests won’t flourish.

When planning your veggie garden, here’s what you need to do:

• Choose the best spot for your plot – Pick somewhere with easy access, well-draining soil, and that gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
• Plan your garden layout – How much space can you give up for your veggies? Will you use raised beds, containers or go with in-ground planting?
• Select your veggies – As well as considering the best veggies to grow in spring, think about what you and your family love eating and what plants work well growing together.
• Prepare the soil – For delicious dirt your edibles will love, we recommend you do the following before planting:
  • Remove weeds, rocks, twigs and old roots.
  • Test your soil pH levels using a soil test kit. The ideal pH for most veggies is between 6.0 to 7.0.
  • Add compost or manure to improve soil structure, fertility and moisture retention. If the pH is too high or low, amend it with lime (to raise pH) or sulphur (to lower pH).
  • Loosen and aerate the soil using a fork, spade or tiller. Go down to a depth of about 30 cm.
  • Add organic matter to improve drainage in clay soils and moisture retention in sandy soils.
  • Rake the soil to smooth it, removing any final clumps.
  • Add an all-purpose fertiliser and mix it into the top of the soil.
  • Make sure the soil is moist but not waterlogged before planting. Watering a day or two before is ideal.
• Gather what you need – This includes your seeds or starter plants, essential tools like a trowel, hoe, rake, and watering can or hose. We also recommend you look at our plant training, support and protection products. Plus, stock up on mulch to spread once your veggies are in the ground.

If you’re worried you don’t have enough space to bring your veggie-garden dreams to life, grow up. That’s not a dig. We mean, grow your veggies vertically!

Vertical gardens on your garden walls, balconies or even indoors are an awesome way to grow a thriving veggie (or other edible) garden. They also look gorgeously green and vibrant, providing some natural décor.

Check out our Jack Garden Up® range of pots, stands and planters. They’re super easy to install and, because they come in a range of styles and colours, allow you to design a unique veggie garden that will leave your friends and family green with envy.

Use a wall-mounting wire grid and simply hook on your classic rail planter or Mix ‘n’ Match planters (such as our Classic Pot). Alternatively, attach them directly to a brick wall, display them on a stand, or hang them over your balcony railings. The options are endless!

All of our Garden Up range planters feature a water-smart design with an integrated saucer to prevent overwatering and save excess water. They’re also BPA-free, meaning your veggies won’t absorb any nasties.

Learn how to create a Mix ‘n’ Match vertical garden. Another option is our traditional Garden Up decorative baskets.

Now we’ve covered planning, and where to plant, it’s time to get to the juicy stuff: what’s good to pop in the ground at this fertile time of year.

Don’t forget, think about what you like to eat and what grows well together. Plus, consider the region you live in and the type of weather you have in spring.

• Tomatoes – Like full sun and drained soil; good in most regions
• Capsicum – Need full sun; enjoy warmer climes like QLD
• Beetroot – Grows well in cool spring temps further south
• Carrots – Thrive in most areas and temperatures
• Zucchini – Grow best in warmer spring temps and regions
• Asparagus – A long-term crop that loves cooler temps
• Cucumber – Need full sun and warmer temps
• Beans (green, broad) – A great grower in all regions, like full-sun
• Lettuce – Thrives in most places with ample sunlight
• Eggplants – Heat-loving plants best in warmer spring temps
• Potatoes – Do best in cooler spring temps further south
• Pumpkin – Perfect in warmer regions; need the full sun
• Bok choy – Grow great anywhere, prefers it slightly cool

• Strawberries – Thrive in cooler spring temps and coastal areas
• Blueberries – Grow well in cooler regions like Tasmania
• Lemons – Love a lot of sunshine; best in the tropics and sub-tropics
• Mandarins – Need full sun and well-drained soil
• Passionfruit – Like a sunny spot and warmer climes; need support
• Avocado – Best to grow in warmer climes like QLD, NSW and WA

• Basil – Thrives in warm to hot climates; loves lots of sun
• Chives – Prefers cooler spring temps but can thrive in warmer
• Coriander – Likes cooler temps; can bolt quickly if it’s too hot
• Dill – Prefers cooler spring temps found further south-east
• Oregano – Loves warm to hot climates and drought-hardy
• Parsley – Likes the cool but does well in most conditions
• Sage – Grows best in well-drained soil; can handle dry
• Thyme – Does well in most places with warm, dry conditions

• Nasturtiums – Bright, vibrant bloom with a peppery taste
• Marigolds – Citrusy, zesty flavour and keep pests away
• Pansies – Colourful flowers with a mild, sweet flavour
• Violas – Sweet taste, great for sweets and salads
• Calendula – Vibrant petals and tangy, spicy
• Borage – Striking blue colour with cucumber-like taste
• Roses – Fragrant and great for deserts and garnishes

These flowers are good to grow in most regions in spring, although pansies and violas do prefer cooler temps.

Creating a mixed garden of vegetables, fruits and flowers is not only great for your outdoor aesthetic but also offers practical benefits, such as tastier flavours and an ongoing crop that’s ready to pick at different times.

Here are our tips for a magnificent mixed garden:

• Pick plant buddies – Use the principles of companion planting to boost plant health and productivity. For example, tomatoes and basil grow well together.
• Sunlight and shade – Consider the sunlight needs of each plant and arrange them accordingly. Tall plants like tomatoes can provide shade for more delicate plants like lettuce.
• Add colour and pest control – Plant flowers like marigolds and nasturtiums around the edges of your garden or between the veggies for their bright colours and pest-repelling properties.

When it comes to actually popping your veggies and edibles in your prepared soil, make sure you space them according to what they need to avoid overcrowding and to help them grow to their full potential.

Veggies like zucchini and pumpkin need plenty of space to spread. They’re serious sprawlers!

Some spring veggies and fruits benefit from cages, trellis or stakes to support their growth and weight. For example, tomatoes need stakes/cages and cucmbers a trellis.

To ensure your seeds or plantlings thrive, set a regular watering routine to keep good soil moisture levels. Apply fertilisers as needed, and keep an eye out for pests and diseases.

Also, make sure you remove weeds regularly to prevent them from stealing the nutrients. Plus, prune to encourage good growth patterns and boost air circulation.

How do you know when your goodies are ready to harvest? Look at:

• Size and maturity (e.g. zucchinis should be 15-20cm long for best flavour)
• The colour (e.g. tomatoes should be nice and red)
• Firmness and texture (firm and crisp over soft and soggy)
• The average timeframes to maturity (check the packets/Google)

Finally, when picking, take care to avoid damaging your delicious hard work. 

Now you know what vegetables to plant in spring and what you need to do and consider to create the perfect plot, it’s time to head outdoors and start growing your own!

Don’t forget to buy any Jack products you need to make your edibles project a success, including vertical garden planters and plant support. Simply head to your nearest local supplier to grab them today!

Planted a veggie patch with Jack’s help that looks the goods and is set for a delicious harvest? Share some snaps on socials, tagging @meetdiyjack. You might even get a share!