The weather is cooling down, but the soil still warm so you can plant in your garden. What type of plants should I get?
Here’s a list that will inspire and help get on track with gardening!
1.Baby spinach
Even if you only have a small balcony, or even just your kitchen window’s container, there are ways to grow some baby spinach. My favorite at the moment is Giant Noble because of its thick and juicy leaves!
2. Snow peas
Snow peas are a joy to grow with their high yields and sweet munchable pods that you can’t help but eat straight from the vine.
3. Radishes
If you want to grow your own vegetables, then try these little guys. They only need 6 weeks and they’re one of the easiest types! French Heirloom or Cherry Belle (Champion).
4. Bok Choy
Asian vegetables are a great way to add variety in your garden. For something different, try growing the purple varieties of this year’s most popular and successful crops!
5. Garlic
March is the perfect month to plant your garlic so read up on some tips, choose a variety and then go in with both feet.
6. Kale
Kale is a great vegetable to have in your garden. Despite its less-than appealing appearance, kale has many health benefits and can even be cooked like spinach! This year I’ve chosen this type of kale: Nero Di Toscana (a type with dark green leaves).
7. Broccoli and Cauliflower
Watching your first broccoli or cauliflower develop into buds and slice it off to cook is pretty satisfying. I’m going to remember this year after the cockatoos ate my gorgeous purple cauliflower last time!
8. Beetroot
One of my favorite vegetables that also grows well as a baby vegetable, green or microgreen.
9. Carrots
Carrots are a great way to add color and nutrition into your diet. Make sure you thin out the baby carrots so they don’t get too big!
10. Lettuce
Lettuce offers a delicious and easy way to get your daily dose of vegetables. To maximize the nutritional benefits, make sure you keep up with moisture by watering regularly or else plants will start drying out!
11. Silver beet
Silver beets are grown for their silver leaves. I started with Fordhook Giants, but have gradually moved onto other varieties such as Barese and Argentata to see what they’re all about!
12. Asian salad greens
Just a little warning, these can get pretty addictive! Many of the greens have an mustard taste and they grow incredibly fast. Mizuna is worth checking out if you’re new to growing your own healthy food at home because it tastes great when young but mature leaves are tastier too!
13. Onions
Shallots are a great addition to your balcony garden. I often plant some together then plant others in mixed plantings, if you want more space for other veggies try growing egyptian walking onions!
14. Coriander
Coriander can be a bit trickier to grow than some other herbs because it has one or two pet hates.
15. Warrigal Greens
Native spinach is a great plant for adding color and compact landscaping.
16. Strawberries
It’s always worth squeezing in a few strawberries. Blueberries are also another option for fresh berries, depending on the season!
17. Mushrooms
The easiest, most sustainable way to grow your own food – no garden required!
18. A lemon tree
If you want to grow your own citrus, now is the time. Choose a healthy looking plant with good shape and start it at around 40cm diameter for final container size of 50 cm or more!
19. Flowers
As a general guide, it’s good to grow around 10% flowers in your kitchen garden to keep things in balance and lure in beneficial insects. Small annual ground covers such as lobelia can also be used for this purpose while edible flower varieties like violas or sweet peas are lovely options too!
20. Native bush foods
You can also add some native bush foods to your garden. Some of my favourites include:
- Midyim Berries, Warrigal Greens, and Finger Limes.