The herbs and vegetables you should be growing this spring

If you’ve got a vegetable patch or herb garden, or you want to start one, you need to make sure the plants you grow are suited to the season.

Spring weather is perfect for a range of vegetables, herbs and fruits, which is why you should get in and get planting now.

Depending on where you live in Australia, there are some vegetables and herbs which will thrive at this time of year.

Climate plays a big factor, with so many different spring climates around the country.

So, what should you be growing this spring?

Here are the herbs and vegetables you should be growing, according to where you live.

South-East Qld and northern NSW

If you live in areas such as Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Byron Bay and inland to areas such as Lismore, there a range of vegetables and herbs you should be growing this spring.  Want to grow some herbs? Try planting basil, chives, coriander, dill, mint, oregano, parsley, sage or thyme. On the fruits and vegetables front, you can grow beans, beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, capsicum, carrot, chicory, Chinese cabbage, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, melons, mustard, onion, parsnip, potato, pumpkin, radish, rosella, silver beet, squash, sweet corn, sweet potato, tomato or watermelon.

North Qld, Northern Territory and Western Australia

With it’s wetter, more tropical spring weather, these areas suit growing different herbs and vegetables to other parts of Australia. Try growing basil, chilli, chives, dill, ginger, mint, oregano or parsley in your herb garden. In your veggie patch you should try growing beetroot, capsicum, carrot, chilli, Chinese cabbage, choko, corn, cucumber, French beans, eggplant, lettuce, onion, radish, rockmelon, silver beet, spinach, squash, sweet potato, pumpkin, tomato, watermelon and zucchini.

Inland/outback areas

Do you live in an inland/outback area of Australia? In these dry, hot climates, there are a variety of herbs and vegetables you can plant. However, the earlier you plant the better. Vegetables and herbs may struggle in the heat of late spring and should be harvested before summer. These areas are perfect for growing all types of herbs. When it comes to vegetables, try growing beans, capsicum, onion, radish and sweet corn.

Sydney, coastal NSW and coastal Victoria

Sydney has a similar climate to coastal areas of central and southern New South Wales and coastal parts of Victoria. In these areas you should try growing basil, chives, coriander, dill, mint, oregano, parsley, sage and thyme in your herb garden. Over in your veggie patch you can plant beans, beetroot, broccoli, Chinese cabbage, capsicum, cucumber, eggplant, endive, lettuce, melons, okra, onion, parsnip, potato, pumpkin, radish, rhubarb, rosella, silver beet, spring onion, squash, sweet corn, sweet potato, tomato or zucchini.

Melbourne, Tasmania and southern highland areas

These cooler climate areas are perfect for growing a range of herbs and vegetables this spring. If you live in these areas, you should plant basil, chives, coriander, dill, mint, oregano, parsley, sage and thyme in your herb garden. If you love your fruit and veggies, try planting beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, capsicum, carrot, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, eggplant, endive, leek, lettuce, onion, pak choi, pea, spinach, spring onion, strawberry, sweet corn, zucchini and tomato.

Adelaide and Perth

With their more Mediterranean climates, Adelaide and Perth are suited to growing a bunch of herbs and vegetables. Try planting herbs such as basil, chives, coriander, dill, mint, oregano, parsley, sage and thyme. Vegetables including broccoli, carrot, celery, cucumber, lettuce, silver beet, snow pea, spinach, strawberry, sweet corn, zucchini and tomato are perfect for growing in these areas.

Remember, when gardening in spring it’s important to protect your herbs and veggies from the heat, storms and pests. Make sure you plant in a well-drained area. Try using mulch to decrease the risk of weeds and disease from ruining your crop.

Do you have a veggie patch or herb garden? What are you growing at the moment?