Sowing the same crop at regular intervals (typically every 2–3 weeks) to ensure a continuous harvest rather than a single large glut. Essential for lettuce, radish, spinach, beans, and other fast-maturing crops.
Succession planting is essential for Australian gardeners wanting to maximise their vegetable harvest and maintain a consistent supply of fresh produce. Rather than planting all your lettuce, beans, or carrots at once, you plant small batches every 2-3 weeks, ensuring mature crops are ready when others finish producing. This technique works particularly well in temperate and subtropical zones (zones 8-11) where growing seasons are longer.
Timing is crucial and varies by crop and season. For example, in spring (September-November), you might sow lettuce every fortnight through until late October to avoid it bolting in summer heat. In autumn (March-May), succession plant leafy greens and root vegetables every 3 weeks for winter harvests. Cool-season crops like peas, beans, and brassicas benefit greatly from succession planting as they produce over extended periods rather than all at once.
Practical implementation involves preparing small garden beds or containers ready for planting. Many Australian gardeners use succession planting with fast-maturing varieties from Bunnings or local nurseries, spacing sowings 2-3 weeks apart depending on the crop's days-to-maturity. Keep detailed records of planting dates to track what works best in your garden.
Succession planting reduces waste by preventing oversupply and extends your harvest season significantly. It's particularly valuable in subtropical zones where you can grow multiple seasons throughout the year.