Seasonal Planting Guide for NSW: Best Fruits & Vegetables to Grow Year-Round in Your Wicking Bed

One of the best things about living in New South Wales is our mild climate, which allows for a wide variety of fruits and vegetables to be grown all year round. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting out with a new wicking bed, choosing the right plants for each season is key to a thriving, low-maintenance garden.

Wicking beds make growing your own food easier by keeping soil moist from below, reducing water use and plant stress — perfect for hot Aussie summers or dry spells.

🏡 Why Seasonal Planting Matters

Planting the right crops at the right time helps:

• Maximise yields and flavour

• Reduce pest and disease problems

• Minimise watering and maintenance

• Ensure your wicking bed is always productive

Below is a season-by-season planting guide for NSW (temperate climate zones), ideal for backyard gardens and wicking beds.

🌸 Spring (September – November)

Spring is one of the most exciting times in the garden. The soil is warming up, days are getting longer, and plants grow fast.

Best vegetables to plant:

• Tomatoes

• Cucumbers

• Zucchini

• Lettuce

• Capsicum

• Beans

• Corn

Best fruits to plant:

• Strawberries (great in wicking beds)

• Blueberries

• Passionfruit

• Melons (rockmelon, watermelon)

✅ Wicking bed tip: Spring is the perfect time to set up a new wicking bed. The consistent moisture will help young seedlings establish quickly.

☀️ Summer (December – February)

Hot, dry conditions can make gardening tricky—but wicking beds shine in summer because they keep roots cool and hydrated.

Best vegetables to plant:

• Sweet corn

• Chillies

• Eggplant

• Basil and other herbs

• Pumpkins (early summer)

• Lettuce (choose heat-tolerant varieties)

Best fruits to plant:

• Rockmelon & watermelon

• Passionfruit

• Citrus (lemons, limes, oranges)

✅ Wicking bed tip: Mulch well to keep the topsoil cool and reduce evaporation. Check your reservoir regularly to make sure it’s topped up.

🍂 Autumn (March – May)

Autumn is a productive time with mild weather and good soil moisture. Perfect for cool-season crops.

Best vegetables to plant:

• Broccoli

• Cauliflower

• Cabbage

• Carrots

• Spinach

• Beetroot

• Radish

Best fruits to plant:

• Strawberries (for a strong spring crop)

• Apples and pears (bare-root planting late autumn)

• Rhubarb crowns

✅ Wicking bed tip: Autumn crops thrive in steady moisture. Wicking beds prevent stress that can cause bolting or bitter flavours in greens.

❄️ Winter (June – August)

Even in winter, you can keep your wicking bed productive with hardy, cold-tolerant crops.

Best vegetables to plant:

• Garlic (plant in June for harvest in spring)

• Onions and leeks

• Kale

• Spinach

• Peas

• Broad beans

Best fruits to plant:

• Bare-root fruit trees like apples, pears, plums and peaches

• Citrus (in frost-free areas)

✅ Wicking bed tip: Growth slows down in winter, so you’ll use less water. Keep weeds down and top up compost to prepare for spring.

🌿 Top Crops That Thrive in Wicking Beds Year-Round

Some plants love the consistent moisture and do well in wicking beds almost any time of year in NSW:

• Herbs (basil, parsley, mint, coriander, oregano)

• Lettuce and leafy greens

• Strawberries

• Tomatoes (if protected from frost)

🪴 Final Tips for Seasonal Planting Success

• Start with healthy soil: Rich, organic soil helps retain nutrients and moisture.

• Use crop rotation: It keeps soil healthy and reduces pests.

• Mulch generously: Especially important in summer.

• Keep your reservoir full: Consistent moisture is the secret weapon of wicking beds.

• Choose the right varieties: Local nurseries often stock varieties best suited to NSW’s climate.

🌻 Grow Year-Round with a Wicking Bed

If you want to grow your own fresh produce with less maintenance and less water, a wicking bed is the perfect solution. With the right plants at the right time, your backyard can produce food every season.