Plant now, pick later

Print this story

September and October are key months in the Canterbury gardener’s planting calendar.

If you’re after a garden of rainbow colour and a fresh, healthy harvest for summer meals and salads, it’s time to get planting. We’ve rounded up the most popular plants to pop in your garden or sow from seed this spring.

VEGETABLE GARDEN: At the beginning of spring, plant asparagus, beans, beetroot, broccoli, carrots, celery, lettuce, peas, potatoes, rocket, spinach, and spring onions. When the frosts subside, start on capsicums, courgettes, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Be wary of how warm your soil is – ground temperature will impact the growth of your seeds or plants.

FRUIT GARDEN: Finish any last-minute planting of apple and pear trees, and small fruit trees with an established root system and enough soil attached. Plant strawberries and raspberries, and lemon and lime trees can go in the ground when the frosts finish.

FLOWER GARDEN: Make use of the garden centres at this time of year – spring sales are blooming with beautiful, colourful flowers. Popular spring blooms include dahlias, helleborus, lilies, geraniums, marigold, nasturtiurms, pansies, peonies, polyanthus, poppies, and primula.

TOP TIPS:

• Remember to remove the last of your winter crops, and where possible, rotate where you plant with each season.
• Dig organic matter including mulch and compost into soil to add nutrients and retain moisture.
• Deadhead flowers by pinching or pruning a faded or dead plant to encourage direct energy into other blooms for a longer flower.
• Always consider how environmental factors will impact your garden. Think about soil temperature, weather exposure, and general ground conditions. Different plants require different factors to thrive – a plant that needs light shouldn’t be positioned in the shade, for example.
• Take these as suggestions, we encourage you to check out the variety of plants your local garden centre has in stock. If they’ve got it, you can likely plant it – and you can utilise their expert advice while you’re there.