Spring is one of the busiest times of year in the garden, making it the perfect opportunity to establish warm-season vegetables before the hotter months arrive.
For south-east Queensland gardeners, now is the time to prepare garden beds, improve soil and get planting.
Burpengary-based Love of Dirt founder Nicki McKay grew up on a self-sufficient tea tree farm, where growing food was part of everyday life. After years working in the technology industry, she returned to her gardening roots, launching Love of Dirt as a blog before expanding into YouTube, social media and a seed business specialising in subtropical gardening.
“I believe everyone should know where their food comes from and have the confidence to grow at least some of it themselves,” Nicki said. “If I can help people build that confidence through practical knowledge, then I’ve achieved what I set out to do.”
What to Plant This Spring
Spring provides ideal conditions for establishing many warm-season vegetables before the humidity and heavy summer rainfall arrive.
“During spring I’d be getting cucumber, zucchini, tomatoes, beans, corn, capsicum, chilli and eggplants,” Nicki said. “Stick to heat-tolerant varieties of lettuce – loose leaf ones that don’t form large heads as they are prone to bolting.”
Start Small
Rather than trying to plant everything at once, Nicki encouraged new gardeners to take a gradual approach.
“Start small, plant one small area each month, then you avoid having way too much or not enough,” she said.
She also recommended establishing a composting system early, choosing the right location for the garden and focusing on building healthy soil from the beginning.
Prepare for the Heat
As temperatures begin to rise, Nicki said planning ahead for watering could make all the difference during the warmer months.
“When the heat arrives, you will spend more time watering, if you can get that sorted, you’re winning half the battle,” she said.
She recommended installing drip irrigation, wicking beds or self-watering ollas where possible, and watering deeply rather than lightly to encourage stronger root systems.
Nicki also said gardeners should watch for Queensland fruit fly by setting up monitoring traps and netting their fruit.
She said growing food helps people reconnect with what they eat and better understand where it comes from.
“Knowing where your food comes from, whether you grow it yourself or buy it from your local farmer, should be something we all know,” she said.
For more gardening advice and subtropical growing tips, visit www.loveofdirt.com.au or find Love of Dirt on YouTube.
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