Everyone becomes a passionate gardener around spring. The sight of green grass, blooming flowers and the smell of pollen in the air remind us that this is the time to till the soil and start planting some seeds.
Of course, it’s not just a matter of picking your favourite plants and selecting a spot for them in the garden. You have to choose the right types of plants because spring is not the right time for every plant.
Here’s your complete planting guide to spring.
Getting Your Soil Ready
Before you think about what you’re going to plant, you need to make sure you have the type of soil in your garden and garden beds that will be conducive to growth. Funnily enough, winter actually has a drying effect on earth, so you need to give it a really deep soak.
You should also loosen up your soil, which will have become packed together by early morning frosts. Once you have nice, loose garden beds add in some compost and manure. Try and give each foundation at least 10cm of mulch to help it retain all that moisture you’ve added.
Adding Colour to Your Garden
Gardens need to be colourful, and spring ushers in the perfect conditions for Melburnians to add a splash of beauty to their backyard. Here are some popular options:
- Geraniums
- Marigolds
- Snapdragons
- Petunias
- Aster
- Everlasting Daisy
- Gerbera
- Iceland Poppy
- Gazalia
- Dahlia
- Sunflower
- Torenia
- Verbena
- Zinnia
You can even plant all of these flowers to create a truly vibrant colour scheme. Petunias and geraniums flower in a variety of colours, so mix and match to your heart’s content.
Creating an Edible Garden
Every garden should be an edible garden. Whether it’s fruit or vegetables, by including food in your backyard, you lower your eco-footprint, and you get to enjoy fresher, tastier food than you can pick up at the supermarket. You’ll also get your kids out in the garden, and excited about all the foods they should be excited about.
Here are the fruits and vegetables you should plant in spring:
- Strawberries
- Leeks
- Lettuce
- Swedes
- Turnips
- Cucumber
- Onions
- Parsnip
- Radishes
- Spinach
- Sweet corn
- Beetroot
- Tomatoes
- Peas
- Silverbeet
And, don’t forget about those zingy, zesty herbs:
- Basil
- Sage
- Thyme
- Chives
- Coriander
- Dill
- Mint
- Oregano
- Parsley
If you start the work now, you’ll start seeing results quickly. There really is nothing like growing your own food. It’s addictive, and once you’ve tasted that first strawberry, or picked that first sprig of thyme, you’ll be hooked, and more and more of your garden will be devoted to food.
What About Trees?
You can plant trees all year round in Victoria, but spring provides the perfect conditions for speedy growth. Here are some trees that will also add some extra colour to your Victorian garden:
- Golden Chain Tree: As the name suggests, this tree will fill your garden with dazzling yellow flowers. Loves a long, chilly winter, so Melbourne offers the perfect climate. Make sure you have well-draining soil, and you can expect to see new growth and flowers every spring.
- Redbud: Another beautiful flowering tree suited to our climate. Needs frequent watering, but as long as it doesn’t dry out, you’ll see rosy-purple flowers from about September onwards. Team with white or pink dogwoods for a beautiful aesthetic.
- Wisteria: Who doesn’t love wisteria. This beautiful creeper will look incredible draped over a pergola, or even across a garden screen or retaining wall. Make sure you prune it annually, or you’ll end up with a backyard full of purple. As long as the winters are cool, you’ll enjoy significant growth over spring, and it doesn’t require much care. You’ll love the sweet fragrance the flowers produce.
- Flowering Cherry: A real springtime favourite thanks to the pink or white flowers. These have been bred to develop into a variety of shapes and sizes, and the tall, straight trunks mean they can be planted in small spaces.
As you can see, there are plenty of choices when it comes to springtime planting. Make the most of this season, because before you know it, the mercury will be nudging 40 degrees and you won’t want to be out there turning the soil and hauling wheelbarrow loads of manure and mulch.
Spring is also the perfect time to do a full garden makeover, and Everlast Services have the team to do it. We take care of everything from design to installation and of course, the clean-up. Get your garden in perfect condition for summer.
