Summer is glorious. With beautiful blue skies and lovely warm weather, it's just about the perfect time to garden. But what fruits, vegetables, and herbs are best to plant in this wonderful season?
Melbourne has a unique climate that suits some plants more than others. That's why we've compiled this useful planting guide for everything you need to know about how to get ready for summer gardening and what to plant.
Whether you're a veteran greenthumb or an excited new member of the gardening class, you can rely on All Green Nursery and Garden for all your planting needs.
Our nursery houses a vast range of seasonal plant varieties including exotics and natives, fruit trees, roses and shrubs. Each of our plants is carefully selected to flourish in the unique Victorian climate.
Preparing your garden
Before we discuss what to plant, there is the issue of how to get ready to plan. It's important that you make sure you prepare properly for each new gardening season. That means clearing debris, removing weeds, and pruning. To get the best results, you should also replenish the soil in your garden beds by topping it up with slow-release fertiliser and organic compost and mulch.
Compost
We recommend people use mushroom compost, a blend of gypsum and organic waste ideal for:
- Revitalising existing gardens
- Enriching soil
- Preserving soil moisture
Mulch
Melbourne is infamous for its four-seasons-in-a-day climate. That's why mulching is a must. Not only does it look terrific while combating weeds, it also:
- Preserves soil moisture through the summer heat
- Insulates and protects plant roots from damaging frost
- Augments soil health by adding nutrients
- Limits and mitigates soil erosion
All Green Nursery supplies mushroom compost along with a huge range of mulches by the bag, cubic metre or tonne. We can deliver or you can collect.
What to plant in Summer
If you want guidance on a specific plant or element of your garden, chat with our in-house horticulturalists who will be able to advise you on your situation. Plus they can give you handy tips for gardening in general.
Vegetables
Full of flavour and freshness, home-grown veggies are among life's great treats. There are so many vegetables you can plant at home in summer to give yourself a steady supply of produce until winter.
From December on, Melbourne vegetable-lovers can plant:
- Asparagus
- Beetroot
- Broccoli
- Brussel sprouts
- Capsicum
- Carrot
- Eggplant
- Leek
- Lettuce
- Okra
- Potato
- Pumpkin
- Radish
- Rocket
- Silverbeet
- Sweetcorn
- Sweet potato
- Tomatoes
Herbs
Fresh seasonal herbs make for a delightful addition to both your garden and home cooking. Plus you get to save money on herbs that can be incredibly expensive down at your local greengrocer or supermarket. It's so much easier and cheaper to simply wander out to the backyard and pluck some basil or coriander for your dishes.
Summer greenthumbs have so many options when it comes to herbs. They can plant such herbs as:
- Basil
- Chives
- Coriander
- Fennel
- Gotu kola
- Lovage
- Mint
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Tarragon
Fruit trees
Not much beats a bowl of fresh fruit, especially when that fruit's been plucked from your very own backyard. Summer is an excellent time to plant evergreen fruit tree like:
- Orange
- Lemon
- Grapefruit
- Mandarin
- Nectarine
- Persimmon
- Pomegranates
It's important to be aware that:
- Fruit trees require lots of sun, plenty of water and good drainage
- Dwarf fruit tree varieties are possible if space is limited
- Particular fruit tree species need to cross-pollinate
Native plants
Since they evolved in Australia and are suited for local conditions, native plants are ideal for Melbourne's soil and climate. Not only do they look gorgeous, they help support local ecosystems. Happily, they'll even require less maintenance compared to exotic plants. It's a win-win for you and native wildlife.
In Melbourne, native plants are best suited for planting in the cooler weather of autumn through to spring's end. However, summer planting is possible just as long as you're vigilant with watering. Some species that you could try include:
- Eucalptus
- Acacia
- Kangaroo grass
- Brachyscome daisy
- Mint bush
- Correa
- Grevilleas
Non-native plants
Nothing is more wonderful than a garden bursting with flowers. While most flowering plants are best planted in cooler spring, the ones below can get started in the blazing sun of summer so they'll flower in time for autumn. Just be sure to keep them watered and mulched.
- Autumn sage
- Daisies
- Dahlias
- Gerberas
- Japanese windflowers
- Nerines
- Roses
Summertime is the sweetest time to commit to doing more gardening. What could be better than spending time outdoors and growing fabulous flowers, fruit, vegetables and herbs? Not only will you save yourself money by growing your own produce, you'll also be helping the environment while staying active.
