How Do I Get My Garden Ready for Spring?
- Swift Trees Perth
- Jun 30
- 4 min read
A Practical Guide for Perth Homeowners
Spring in Perth is one of the most rewarding times to be a gardener.
After the cooler winter months, the city bursts into life with sunny days, warmer soil, and longer daylight hours—the ideal conditions to help your garden thrive.
Whether you’re growing vibrant spring plants, prepping your veggie patch, or simply wanting a greener lawn, this guide will walk you through the most important questions Perth homeowners are asking about spring gardening.
How Do I Get My Garden Ready for Spring - First Steps?
Preparing your garden properly ensures strong, healthy growth through spring and into summer. Start with the basics:
Clean up garden beds: Remove dead leaves, branches, and weeds.
Check soil health: Loosen compacted soil and mix in compost or aged manure to restore nutrients.
Use soil wetting agents: Perth soils are often sandy and hydrophobic. A quality wetting agent will help water penetrate and stay where it’s needed.
Apply mulch: This reduces evaporation, suppresses weeds, and helps maintain a stable soil temperature. Use coarse organic mulch like bark, pea straw, or lupin mulch.
Tip: Apply mulch after a deep watering and when the soil is still moist.
What Vegetables and Herbs Should I Plant in a Perth Spring?
If you want to grow your own food, spring is the ideal season to sow a wide variety of vegetables and herbs.
Vegetables to plant in early to mid-spring:
Tomatoes
Zucchini
Carrots
Lettuce
Cucumber
Sweetcorn
Beetroot
Herbs that thrive in Perth spring:
Basil
Coriander
Parsley
Mint
Oregano
Thyme
Chives
Tip: Use raised garden beds or large pots with premium potting mix for better control over soil quality and drainage.
Which Flowers and Spring Plants Will Add Colour?
Spring is all about colour and fragrance, and Perth’s climate supports a wide range of beautiful blooming plants.
Here are some gorgeous, and ideal flowers for garden beds or pots:
Top-performing spring plants:
Kangaroo Paw (native and drought-tolerant)
Lavender
Marigolds
Petunias
Snapdragons
Sunflowers
Geraniums
Native wildflowers to try:
Everlastings
Swan River daisies
Wattle
Tip: Choose a mix of annuals for seasonal colour and perennials for long-term impact.
How Do I Revive My Lawn After Winter?
Lawn care is a major priority as spring arrives. Here’s how to bring your lawn back to life:
Rake and dethatch: Remove dead grass to allow air and nutrients to reach the soil.
Aerate: Use a fork or lawn aerator to create holes that improve water absorption and root growth.
Top dress with lawn mix: A light layer of sand and compost helps level the surface and boost fertility.
Fertilise: Apply a spring-specific lawn fertiliser rich in nitrogen for green growth.
Water wisely: Deep watering twice a week is more effective than daily light sprinkling.
Tip: Buffalo, Kikuyu, and Couch grasses all respond well to spring conditioning in Perth.
Did you know? All three are warm-season, introduced grasses well‑suited to Perth’s Mediterranean climate but are not indigenous to Western Australia. They’re popular lawn choices thanks to traits like drought tolerance, rapid growth, and resilience, but none are naturally occurring native grasses.
How Do I Manage Pests and Plant Diseases?
Warm weather brings life—but also pests. Early detection and prevention are key:
Common spring pests in Perth gardens:
Aphids
Whiteflies
Slugs and snails
Cabbage moth caterpillars
Control methods:
Use insecticidal soap or neem oil sprays.
Attract beneficial insects like ladybugs.
Net veggie gardens to protect against butterflies and birds.
Remove diseased leaves and dispose of them (don’t compost).
Tip: Avoid synthetic chemicals where possible to support healthy soil biology and pollinators.
What Are the Best Watering Practices for Spring?
Watering is crucial as spring temperatures rise. Perth’s Water Corporation also imposes sprinkler rosters, so follow these smart watering practices:
Water early morning: Reduces evaporation and fungal risks.
Install drip irrigation: This efficient method delivers water straight to plant roots.
Mulch generously: A 5–7 cm layer of mulch can reduce water needs by up to 70%.
Group plants by water needs: Keep thirstier plants together to avoid over- or under-watering others.
Tip: Check soil moisture by digging a small hole. If it’s dry more than 5 cm down, it’s time to water.
Should I Prune or Plant Trees in Spring?
Spring is ideal for planting new trees and shrubs as they have time to establish roots before Perth’s hot summer. It’s also a good time for pruning:
Best trees to plant in Perth in spring:
Citrus trees (orange, lemon, lime)
Olive trees
Frangipani
Jacaranda
Ornamental pear
Pruning tips:
Prune roses, native shrubs (like grevilleas), and deciduous trees.
Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches.
Always prune on a dry day with sharp, clean tools.
Tip: Avoid heavy pruning of natives in late spring, as this may impact flowering or stress the plant before summer.
Do I Need to Prepare My Gardening Tools?
Yes—your tools deserve some attention too! Clean, well-maintained tools make your gardening easier and help prevent the spread of disease.
Spring tool care checklist:
Clean off soil and rust from blades and trowels.
Sharpen secateurs and shears.
Replace broken handles or parts.
Oil moving parts and hinges to prevent seizing.
Organise tools in a dry, accessible space.
Tip: Soak hand tools in a vinegar solution to remove rust, then rinse and dry thoroughly.
A Season of Growth and Reward
Getting your garden ready for spring in Perth, WA isn’t just about planting—it’s about setting up systems that support healthy growth through the challenging summer months ahead.
With the right soil prep, water-wise strategies, pest control, and plant choices, you’ll enjoy a lush, colourful, and productive garden all season long.
So grab your gloves, sharpen those shears, and welcome spring into your backyard.
Explore our Swift Trees Perth blog for trusted tree care tips, seasonal advice, and expert insights.
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