Get a Head Start on Spring – What to Sow in Late Winter

Spring is almost here! Late July and early August are ideal times to sow your early spring vegetables, herbs, and flowers, especially in trays or greenhouses. Starting now gives your seedlings a strong head start for warmer weather.

Why Sow in Late Winter?

Sowing seeds in late winter offers a number of valuable benefits for South African gardeners. By getting started now, you can enjoy earlier harvests of vegetables and herbs, and your garden will burst into bloom sooner with more flowers and colour as spring begins. It also means you can avoid the springtime rush, when seedlings and supplies are often in high demand and short supply. Starting early gives tender plants more time to strengthen indoors, allowing them to develop sturdy root systems before facing the unpredictable conditions of early spring.

Sowing Tips

• Use seedling trays with good drainage.
• Keep them in a sunny window.
• Mist water gently – don’t soak!
• Use fine seedling mix for better germination.

Regional Tips

Highveld & Free State

• Watch out for frost, sow indoors or under cover until mid-September.
• Use cloches or tunnels for added protection if sowing outdoors.

Coastal Regions (KZN, Eastern & Western Cape)

• Warmer winters allow earlier outdoor sowing.
• Still protect tender plants from cold winds and unexpected drops in temperature.

Northern Cape & Dry Inland

• Focus on water-wise crops and herbs.
• Sow in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid temperature extremes.

Let Us Help

From seed packets to trays, we’ve got everything you need for a productive spring garden. Stop by Plant Paradise today or give us a call 012 998 5480

914 Rubenstein Drive Moreletapark Pretoria.