Spring is coming to the Coast, and with it, that irresistible urge to get outside, get your hands in the soil and prepare for the spring garden season ahead. September’s longer days, warmer soil, and occasional bursts of rain make ideal conditions to set up for your edible garden.
Spring this year brings Father’s Day (Sunday, September 7) and our Hibiscus Coast Edible Garden Trail weekend (Sat and Sun September 13 and 14, which are perfect opportunities to share time in the garden with the friends, dads, granddads, and father figures in your life.
If your dad’s a keen gardener, a new pair of secateurs or a potted herb or tree can be gifts that grow for years. Even better, a voucher to give him a hand in the garden. Roll up your sleeves and spend some quality time.
Spring Prep Tasks
Before you start sowing, a little groundwork will make all the difference:
Clear and feed the soil – remove any old winter crops and weeds. Add compost or well-rotted manure to replenish nutrients. Our soils always benefit from organic matter to improve moisture retention through summer.
Tidy up beds – loosen compacted soil with a fork, check drainage, and repair raised beds or edging.
Plan your planting – group crops with similar watering and sunlight needs. Sketching a quick plan now helps with crop rotation and companion planting for pest control later.
What to Plant Now
With our mild coastal climate, September is prime time for sowing:
From seed – (indoors or a greenhouse) in trays – tomatoes, capsicum, chilli, basil, cucumber. Keep them in a warm, sheltered spot until they’re ready to transplant.
Direct into the garden – beetroot, carrots, radish, lettuce, silverbeet, spinach, spring onions, peas, and beans.
Perennials and herbs – plant rosemary, thyme, oregano, and mint. Once it gets a little warmer try a passionfruit vine or berry canes for summer treats.
Keep an eye on the weather and don’t be too quick to plant out those precious seedlings as spring winds and rain can knock young plants about. A temporary windbreak or a cold frame are worth considering.
This September, whether you’re giving a green-thumbed gift for Father’s Day or simply digging in your own backyard, remember that gardening is more than producing food. It’s an act of health care for our environment, for our family, community and for ourselves. If you are looking for some inspiration from the community, come along to the Edible Garden Trail and check out what other local gardeners are doing in their gardens. See you there!
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