Summer Vegetable Planting Guide

Spring and summer offer a myriad of delicious vegetables you can easily grow in your garden. We’ve put together a planting guide to help you with what to plant, when and where.

You can sow your own seeds into seed trays indoors or directly into the garden, depending on the vegetable. As a rule of thumb, plant the seed as deep as the size of the seed, so a 1cm size seed should be planted 1cm deep.

If you are planting tiny seeds such as lettuce or radish, just sprinkle the seeds in a line and cover lightly with Daltons Premium Seed Mix. Alternatively, you can purchase seedlings from your local gardening centre. 

 

Vegetable Sowing time (warm) Plant out (warm climate) Sowing time (cool) Plant out (cool climate) Spacing between plants* Harvest in* Notes
Beans** Direct sow Oct Direct sow Oct to March** Direct sow late Oct Nov onwards 5-6cm Throughout summer Plants require a support structure to grow up unless growing dwarf varieties.
Capsicum Sow in seed trays from Sept From late Oct Sow in seed trays from Oct From late Nov 10-12cm Harvest throughout summer as capsicums ripen  
Carrots** Direct sow any time of year Throughout the year Direct sow any time of year Throughout the year 3cm 60-90 days Rotate crop position in the garden each year.
Courgettes Sow in seed trays from Sept October Sow in seed trays from late Sept Late Oct/ early Nov 40cm Throughout summer/into autumn  
Cucumber Sow in seed trays from Sept Late Oct Sow in seed trays from late Sept Late Oct/ early Nov 20cm Throughout summer  
Eggplants/ aubergine Sow in seed trays from Oct Nov Sow in seed trays from Oct Nov 30cm Feb onwards  
Lettuce/salad greens** Direct sow any time of year Throughout the year Direct sow any time of year Throughout the year 10cm 6-8 weeks Easy to grow
Onions Direct sow any time of year Throughout the year Direct sow any time of year Throughout the year 3cm Throughout the year  
Peas Direct sow any time of year Throughout the year Direct sow any time of year Throughout the year 10cm Throughout the year Peas prefer winter but can be grown all year round. Plants require support structure to grow up unless they are dwarf varieties.
Potato Use seed potato Throughout the year Use seed potato Throughout the year 30cm Throughout the year  
Pumpkin Direct sow Sept From late October Direct sow in summer From early Nov 40-50cm Late summer  
Radish** Direct sow any time of  year Throughout the year Direct sow any time of year Throughout the year 2cm 4-5 weeks after sowing throughout the year Easy to grow
Rocket Direct sow any time of year Throughout the year Direct sow any time of year Throughout the year** 7-9cm Throughout the year**  
Spring onions (Scallions)** Direct sow any time of year Throughout the year Direct sow any time of year Throughout the year 1-2cm Throughout the year Easy to grow
Sweetcorn Direct sow in mid-late Oct From Nov From late Nov Late Nov 15cm Feb/March Easy to grow
Tomatoes Sow in seed trays in Sept Mid/late Oct Sow in seed trays late Sept/early Oct Early Nov 40cm Throughout summer  

 

* Dependent on variety.  **Use succession planting for a continuous supply.
Please note: This information is a guide only, always check your seed packets or purchased seedling instructions before planting.