Seasonal Planting Calendar: What to Grow Each Month in Australia

Timing is everything in vegetable gardening. Planting crops at the right time ensures they mature in optimal conditions, maximising yield and quality. This comprehensive seasonal planting calendar guides Australian gardeners through the year, covering warm and cool temperate regions. Adjust timing slightly earlier for subtropical zones and later for cold highland areas.

Spring Planting: September to November

Spring is the busiest planting season for Australian vegetable gardeners. As soil warms and frost risk diminishes, opportunities expand rapidly. September marks the beginning of warm-season crop preparation in temperate regions.

In early spring, start tomato, capsicum, chilli, and eggplant seeds indoors or in a protected area. These warm-season crops need six to eight weeks to reach transplanting size. Meanwhile, direct sow beetroot, carrots, lettuce, spring onions, and radishes in garden beds as soon as soil becomes workable.

Mid-spring allows transplanting of established seedlings after the last frost date. Plant tomatoes, capsicums, and basil once night temperatures consistently exceed 10 degrees Celsius. Sow beans, corn, cucumbers, and zucchini directly into warm soil. Continue successive plantings of quick crops like lettuce and radishes.

Late spring focuses on warm-season crops. Plant pumpkin, watermelon, and rockmelon seeds or seedlings. Make final tomato and capsicum plantings for extended harvests. Sow snake beans and other tropical vegetables in warmer regions.

Summer Planting: December to February

Summer planting focuses on heat-tolerant crops and preparing for autumn harvests. The intense heat of Australian summers limits some activities but creates opportunities for tropical vegetables and succession planting.

Continue planting heat-lovers through early summer. Beans, corn, cucumber, and zucchini can still be sown for autumn harvests. Keep up with succession plantings of lettuce in shaded positions, as summer heat causes bolting in full sun. Heat-tolerant varieties like cos and oakleaf lettuce perform best.

Mid-summer is challenging for establishment, but tropical crops like sweet potato slips can be planted. Focus on maintaining existing crops with adequate water and mulch. Start planning autumn vegetable beds and ordering seeds for late-season planting.

Late summer signals the beginning of autumn crop preparation. Start broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprout seeds in trays for transplanting in autumn. Direct sow carrots, beetroot, and leafy greens as temperatures moderate. This period bridges the gap between summer and autumn gardens.

Autumn Planting: March to May

Autumn is the second major planting season, particularly for cool-season crops. Milder temperatures and reliable autumn rain create excellent growing conditions. This season produces some of the most rewarding harvests.

Early autumn sees intensive planting of brassicas, leafy greens, and root vegetables. Transplant broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage seedlings started in summer. Direct sow spinach, silverbeet, lettuce, Asian greens, beetroot, and carrots. Plant garlic and onion sets for harvest the following year.

Mid-autumn continues cool-season planting. Sow broad beans and peas directly as soil cools. Plant more leafy greens for continuous harvest through winter. This is prime time for establishing perennial herbs like thyme, rosemary, and oregano.

Late autumn focuses on establishing winter-hardy crops. Final plantings of brassicas should go in before cold weather slows growth. Sow green manure crops in fallow beds to improve soil over winter. Plant rhubarb crowns and asparagus roots while dormant.

Winter Planting: June to August

Winter planting is limited but not impossible, especially in milder regions. Focus on establishing crops that tolerate cold and planning for the busy spring season ahead.

In early winter, continue planting peas and broad beans in frost-free periods. Sow more leafy greens under protection in cold areas or directly outside in mild regions. Plant fruit trees while dormant, including citrus, stone fruits, and deciduous varieties.

Mid-winter is the quietest gardening period. Use this time for garden maintenance, building raised beds, improving soil with compost, and planning spring plantings. Order seeds for the coming season while selection is best. Prune deciduous fruit trees and grape vines.

Late winter marks preparation for spring. Start early tomato and capsicum seeds indoors under grow lights or on warm windowsills. Prepare beds by adding compost and removing winter weeds. In mild areas, begin sowing carrots, beetroot, and early potatoes.

Regional Variations

This calendar suits temperate regions including Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth. Adjust timing based on your specific location and microclimate conditions.

Subtropical gardeners in Brisbane and northern New South Wales can plant warm-season crops earlier in spring and later into autumn. Winter becomes the prime vegetable growing season, with tomatoes and capsicums possible year-round in frost-free areas.

Tropical gardeners in Darwin, Cairns, and surrounding areas follow a different pattern based on wet and dry seasons. The dry season from May to October is prime vegetable growing time. The wet season limits options to tropical varieties tolerant of humidity and heavy rain.

Cold climate gardeners in Tasmania, highland areas, and inland regions should delay spring planting until frost risk passes, often into November. Autumn planting should begin earlier to allow establishment before hard frosts. Season extension with cloches and cold frames expands growing options.

Planning Your Planting Schedule

Use this calendar as a starting point, then refine based on your experience. Keep a garden journal recording planting dates, varieties, and results. Over time, you will develop a personalised calendar perfectly suited to your garden.

Calculate bed space and plant numbers using our Plant Spacing Calculator. This helps you determine how many seedlings or seeds to start for each planting session. Avoid the common mistake of starting too many plants at once, leading to waste or cramped beds.

Succession planting extends harvests throughout each season. Rather than planting all your lettuce or beans at once, plant smaller batches every two to three weeks. This spreads the harvest over months rather than producing a glut followed by nothing.

By following seasonal planting guidelines and adapting to your local conditions, you ensure year-round productivity from your vegetable garden. The rhythm of the seasons becomes second nature, and your garden rewards you with fresh produce in every month of the year.