I’ve recently picked up a raised garden bed and I’m looking to get into planting some vegetables. I’m trying to find a guide or some tips on what is best to plant when in Melbourne, both right now and throughout the year. If you’ve got links to guides or any general tips, please share!
You can’t go wrong with Gardening Australia: https://www.abc.net.au/gardening/vegie-guide/
Teo said:
You can’t go wrong with Gardening Australia: https://www.abc.net.au/gardening/vegie-guide/
There’s also a subreddit for it that might be worth checking out: r/gardeningaustralia
I’ve been gardening for only two years, but here’s what I’ve learned:
I recommend getting seedlings rather than seeds. Since we’re halfway into summer, you could still get away with seedlings for tomatoes, cucumbers, capsicum, strawberries, and lettuce. Many of these are labeled as needing “direct sun,” but that’s not always true (especially for young plants).
If you’re planting seeds, you’ll want to plan for the next season—potatoes, peas, carrots, cabbage, etc. Some seeds can be sown directly into the ground (like zucchini), while others do better as seedlings first. Silverbeet (spinach) is easy to grow.
There’s tons of information online; just google “when to plant seasonal veggies.” I recommend mixing heaps of compost with your soil depending on its quality—veggies love compost! Cover the top with straw to retain moisture and encourage composting.
One more tip: resist the urge to overwater your plants; yellowing leaves are a sign of overwatering.
@Rowan
I second the suggestion for seedlings over seeds, especially for first-time gardening, and agree about overwatering—I’m guilty of that too! 
Liquid compost like seasol is also great for young plants; it gives their roots a good start, and they’ll grow quickly. I usually give it once or twice a week for the first six weeks.
Pay attention to sun placement in your garden and adjust accordingly! Some plants love the sun, but afternoon sun can be harsh on scorching days. Locations near a western fence or where shadows from trees or your house fall in the late afternoon are good spots.
Be cautious about spacing plants. Radishes, carrots, and small lettuces don’t need much space, while others like beans and peas climb and might need a trellis. Tying tomatoes to stakes or using grow cages improves fruit production. Silverbeet and zucchini take up considerable space too; many cucumbers can climb if you train them, but they tend to vine outwards.
If you notice nibbling on plants, pyrethrum sprays work well for bugs, and I’ve only needed snail pellets for pests.
Don’t water or spray leaves in the summer when the sun is out—they’ll get burned. For mulch, a thick layer of grass clippings is effective; just avoid using clippings with seed heads to prevent weeds. You can also add silicon chips to your soil for moisture retention—garden suppliers have them, but crystal cat litter works too.
Good luck, and don’t be too hard on yourself if a few plants don’t make it; it’s part of the learning process!
The Diggers Club offers lots of useful information and sells seeds, but an annual membership is needed for most access. If you end up enjoying gardening, it’s a good investment!
Plant garlic after Easter and harvest it at Christmas.
Here’s a useful sowing chart: https://www.theseedcollection.com.au/assets/files/TheSeedCollection-%20Sowing%20Chart.pdf
Start with some herbs and valuable plants rather than just carrots. Tomatoes are great because you can grow varieties that aren’t available in stores. If you enjoy Asian cuisine, consider planting Thai basil and Vietnamese mint.
Wendell said:
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Where are you located? I bought plastic boxes a few years ago, and I’m looking to graduate to a proper veggie garden. I can offload the boxes (not sure when yet). I’ve had great results with tomatoes, strawberries, and herbs in them. Bags from Coles/Bunnings work well if you want to start, and the soil doesn’t have to be special—good fertilizing is enough.
Wendell said:
@Kim
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I’m a Westie. You probably won’t want to travel this far for plastic boxes. I bought about ten bags from Coles and it was enough to fill mine.
Check if your local council has gardening guides available!