Spring gardening tasks in Australia: 5 easy ways to prepare your garden
I’m quite impatient when it comes to my garden. I want to stand in the shade of a tree I just planted. When I sow seeds, I’m checking back within an hour expecting green shoots to appear.
It doesn't mean that I'm not prepared to work hard as a gardener, but I like to see progress fast. Over the years, I’ve discovered a few simple, high-impact Spring gardening tasks that deliver real results quickly — the kind that make you feel like your effort is paying off.
Here are my top tips for what you can do right now to prepare your garden for a great Spring season.
1. Refresh Your Mulch
One of the quickest ways to make your garden look polished — and actually protect it — is to refresh your mulch. Mulch is the secret weapon of an impatient gardener: it instantly makes everything look neat while locking in moisture, suppressing weeds and regulating soil temperature.
I prefer an organic mulch like sugar cane, pea straw, or composted chicken poo (if you can stand the smell) because they break down beautifully and feed the soil over time.
Add a thick layer about 3-5cm for flower beds, veggie patches and smaller plants. Go for 5–7 cm around trees and larger shrubs where you want stronger weed suppression and better moisture retention. But don’t pile mulch against plant stems or trunks — leave a 2–5 cm gap to prevent rot and pests. A little thicker or thinner is fine too; no need to overthink it.
2. Prune for New Growth
A good prune now sets the stage for faster, healthier plants later. Cutting back tired Winter growth, frost-affected tips and shaping hedges not only tidies up the garden but also encourages fresh Spring shoots to come through strongly.
My pruning shears and secateurs are practically glued to my hands this time of year — sharp, clean tools make all the difference.
For native Australian gardens, light to moderate pruning is usually best, but some plants really thrive with a heavier cut before Spring. Waratahs respond beautifully to a good prune straight after flowering, while bottlebrushes (Callistemons) and Melaleucas bounce back quickly from harder trims and often reward you with denser growth and more flowers. Just avoid cutting back grevilleas too harshly — they prefer regular light tip-pruning instead.
3. Feed Your Soil
For fast, healthy growth this Spring, focus on feeding your soil now. Start by spreading a generous layer of compost or well-rotted manure across your beds — aim for about 3–5 cm. Work it lightly into the top layer with a sturdy garden fork so nutrients are ready where roots can reach them.
Next, add a slow-release organic fertiliser to give your plants a steady food source as they grow. I also like to sprinkle in worm castings if I have them — they’re like a superfood for the soil, improving structure and boosting beneficial microbes.
This one simple job sets your garden up for weeks of vigorous growth, so take 30 minutes now to give your soil the boost it needs.
4. Start Your Seeds Now
If you want lush veggie patches or bursts of native colour come Spring, now is the time to get your seeds started. I’ll still hover over my seed trays expecting magic overnight, but they need time, so starting early really does pay off.
For vegetables, easy wins right now include tomatoes, capsicum, zucchinis and basil — all of which thrive if you get them going indoors or in a greenhouse before the last frost passes. If you love native gardens like me, kangaroo paw, everlasting daisies and native hibiscus are great choices to sow in late Winter so they’re established and ready to flower when Spring arrives.
I like using propagation kits and seed-starting trays because they give seedlings a controlled, protected environment to sprout strong and healthy. A warm, sunny windowsill or greenhouse setup works wonders. Keep your soil consistently moist but not soggy and you’ll have healthy young plants ready to transplant in a few weeks.
5. Tidy, Weed & Plan Ahead
It’s not the most glamorous job, but a solid tidy-up now will save you hours when Spring hits. Start by removing winter weeds while they’re still small — it’s much easier to pull them out before they set seed. I like to give garden beds a quick rake to clear away fallen leaves and debris so new growth has room to breathe.
Take a moment to edge your lawn, sweep paths and clean up borders — these little touches instantly make the garden look neater and more cared for.
Now is also the perfect time to plan ahead. Think about what you want your garden to look like in Spring and Summer: are you aiming for bursts of native colour, a productive veggie patch, or a low-maintenance retreat? Map out where you’ll plant new trees, shrubs, or flowers so you can hit the ground running when conditions are perfect.
Finally, clean, sharpen and oil your tools now so you’re ready for the busy season. Having everything organised means less frustration and faster results when Spring planting really kicks off.
Bringing It All Together
Spring has a way of sneaking up on us and if you’re anything like me, you want your garden looking lush and vibrant yesterday. These simple but powerful steps — refreshing your mulch, pruning for new growth, feeding your soil, starting seeds early and getting organised — will set the stage for a garden you’ll love this Spring.
Gardening teaches patience, but you can still take clever shortcuts that give you visible results sooner. Grab your secateurs and a spade, roll up your sleeves, and start ticking off these tasks today.
