Summer opens up new opportunities in the veggie patch that didn't exist while the erratic spring weather has been doing its thing. Here are some of our favourite heat-loving varieties that are primed to plant now.

Chillies require a hot, sun-drenched space, preferably up against a heat reflecting wall that helps to collect extra rays of warmth. However, even the toughest plants need food and water to survive, so give them a regular water every few days for best results.

Eggplants are formidable plants which happily grow in our warmer climate. Thinner varieties, such as Lebanese, develop earlier than larger fruit and also cope better earlier in the season.

Best planted once soil temperature has balanced out at 20C or above, plant in sunny place with a little airflow to help prevent fungal disease. Plants will produce for an extended period of time, but the rate of production and rate of ripening will slow down as the weather cools down.

Summertime is a great moment to plant berries in your veggie patch, and many will thrive in small spaces including blueberries, strawberries and currants.

While they thrive best in early autumn and spring conditions, they’re happy to be planted in summer too. Feed them with a steady supply of nitrogen and water. Scatter pelletised chook manure through the garden at the beginning of the growing season and water with seaweed solution every two weeks for optimal leaf quality. Best to choose a position with morning sun, rather than stronger afternoon rays.

Radish, beetroot and carrots can be planted at any time of year. Just choose a gentler morning position and keep them well hydrated.