What to Plant in April on the Mornington Peninsula

15 April 2026

April on the Peninsula is perfect planting weather. The soil is still warm from summer, the first autumn rains have arrived, and the air is cool enough that new plants don’t stress. If you’ve been putting off getting things in the ground, this is your month.

Flowers and Perennials

This is the best time of year to plant most perennials. They’ll establish roots over winter and be ready to perform come spring.

Top picks for Peninsula gardens:

• Lavender — loves our sandy, well-drained soil. Plant in full sun and don’t overwater.
• Salvias — tough, long-flowering, and come in every colour. Mexican Sage and Hot Lips are particularly reliable here.
• Seaside Daisy (Erigeron) — a coastal classic that spills beautifully over walls and edges.
• Agapanthus — yes, they’re common, but there’s a reason. Bulletproof in bayside gardens.
• Dianthus and Snapdragons — for a winter and spring colour display, these go in now.

Bulbs

April is bulb month. Get them in now for a spring show:

• Daffodils and Jonquils — reliable, fragrant, and they come back year after year.
• Ranunculus and Anemones — soak the corms overnight before planting for faster sprouting.
• Freesias — particularly good in Peninsula gardens, they love the sandy soil.
• Tulips — put them in the fridge for six weeks first. They need a cold period that our mild winters don’t quite provide naturally.

Herbs and Vegies

If you’ve got a patch for edibles, April is excellent for:

• Broad beans — straight into the ground, no fuss. They’ll fix nitrogen in your soil as a bonus.
• Peas — same deal. Give them something to climb.
• Lettuce, rocket, and Asian greens — direct sow for quick harvests.
• Parsley, coriander, and dill — these all prefer cooler weather and bolt in summer, so now is their time.

Shrubs and Hedging

April planting means six months of root growth before summer heat. Great choices for coastal and bayside gardens:

• Westringia — the Peninsula’s unofficial hedging plant. Tolerates salt, wind, and poor soil.
• Coastal Rosemary (Westringia fruticosa) — dense, compact, and practically unkillable.
• Pittosporum — great for screening and hedging, handles coastal conditions well.
• Correa — Australian native with gorgeous tubular flowers in winter. Birds love them.

Planting Tips for Sandy Soil

Peninsula soil is mostly sand, which means great drainage but poor nutrient and water retention. When planting anything in April:

1. Dig the hole twice as wide as the pot (not deeper).
2. Mix a generous handful of compost into the backfill soil.
3. Water in deeply with a seaweed solution — this helps reduce transplant shock.
4. Mulch around (not against) the stem immediately.
5. Water deeply twice a week for the first month, then let autumn rain take over.

Don’t add fertiliser at planting time. Let roots establish first, then start feeding in a month or so.