What to plant in your garden: The Ultimate Guide

What should I plant? This question is best answered by consulting a gardening calendar to see which seasons certain plants will do best in South Africa. By doing this, one will be able to see the best results and enjoy the products of their hard work in the garden. With winter and spring being prime planting times, grab your shovel and spade here is some insight into when to plant what.

What to plant in Spring

Vegetables

Radishes

Known as one of the fastest growing vegetables to have in one’s garden, these seeds can be sown almost throughout the year in South Africa, though it is not advised to plant them during very high temperatures as this may cause radishes to bolt. The seeds germinate quickly and after about three or four days after planting one will be able to notice the leafy green shoots appearing and harvesting can begin 21 to 28 days after sowing, depending on the type of radish planted. For smaller gardens or limited spaces, one can also plant radishes in small pots or window boxes with garden tools.

Lettuce

This vegetable is also known to be one of the fastest growing choices and watered regularly it will germinate and develop quickly. Regular watering is also helpful to make sure that one’s lettuce is not bitter. Depending on the type of lettuce, this plant can take from 30 to 70 days to mature, with the loose-leaf options being ready for harvest much earlier and continually, by using the leaves from the outside as required.

Spring Onions

Known to be a good option for winter too, spring onions can be sown directly into the soil at any time of the year in South Africa, except in cold areas where sowing in April and May should be avoided. It is advised to plant them directly into garden beds and to space them 7cm apart. Spring onions should be grown quickly so that the plants can be harvested when the stems are pencil width thick, around 90 to 120 days after sowing. To ensure a successful harvest, one should ensure that they are watered regularly and given a balanced organic fertilizer that is high in nitrogen every two weeks.

Swiss chard

This plant is versatile as it is as easy to grow in containers as it is to grow in the ground. This is because it can withstand both cool weather and heat better than most other intermediate-season vegetables and will last for much longer in the spring and early summertime.

Beetroot

This plant is both delicious and unique as the entire plant is edible. Beets mature between 8 to 10 weeks after sowing, depending on the type selected and how soon one harvests them. Normal, or rather typical beetroot can be harvested as baby beetroot, which means that they can be grown in pots. When the top of the beetroot globe starts to show above the soil, this is a sign that it’s time to pull them from the ground.

Green Beans

Known to be a summer crop, this easy-to-grow vegetable can be put into the ground as soon as temperatures reach about 15°C, making them a good choice for spring. They grow very quickly and take about 50 to 60 days from sowing to harvest when planting dwarf beans. They can be sown directly into the ground or pots, making them another good choice for environments with limited space. They are great to plant at the same time as the climbing bean varieties, as they will start producing about two weeks before the climbers do, extending the season beautifully and ensuring there is plenty to go around.

Cucumbers

Cucumbers can be planted as soon as the temperatures reach around 20°C, making spring the perfect season for planting. They can also be grown in large containers, and depending on the type selected to be grown, can be ready for harvest in about 8 to 10 weeks.

Flowers

Pansies

Pansies are a beautiful multi-colored flower found in many South African gardens and are a great choice for beginner gardeners who are looking for a flower that does not require too much attention, as they’re quite forgiving in their care. They are known as annual flowers, meaning that they need to be replanted every year. They thrive in full sunlight, but can also withstand cold temperatures, as well.

Marigolds

These bright yellow and orange blooms are a known favorite and are quite easy to grow from seed. They germinate quickly and bloom within a few months and will keep flowering throughout the season.

Petunias

This flower is another springtime favorite and has a long blooming season. They grow easiest as transplants, being used often in hanging baskets or as beautiful garden borders.

Zinnias

This bold, colorful flower on a single stem is known to attract lots of butterflies to one’s garden. Zinnias are annuals that are available in a wide range of colors and feature rows upon rows of petals and grow best from seed, with sprouting taking place in less than a week.

Sunflowers

When planted in the spring, sunflowers will normally bloom in mid-to-late summer. They require a good amount of space to grow as well as an area that gets several hours of direct sunlight every day.

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are popular low-maintenance flowering shrubs in shades of blue, purple, and white. One can transplant hydrangeas into the garden in spring, being careful to choose a spot that receives partial sunlight.