🌿 Seasonal Planting Guide: What to Grow Month-by-Month in Australia

Hey Green Thumb! 🌱

Ever found yourself staring at seed packets, wondering “Is it too early to plant this?” or “Can I grow tomatoes now?” — You’re not alone.

Here’s a fun fact: plants have their internal clocks! These little timekeepers help them know when it’s time to grow, bloom, or take a break — syncing up with sunrise, sunset, and the changing seasons. When you plant with their natural rhythms in mind, you’re giving your garden a head start to grow stronger and healthier. That’s why planting seasonally isn’t just smart, it’s how plants like to do their best work.

That’s why I’ve put together this easy month-by-month planting guide just for you. Whether you’re starting fresh or trying to level up your garden game, this guide will help you know exactly what to plant and when, so you’re always one step ahead of the seasons.

Let’s grow together 🌼

📍 Know Your Australian Planting Zone

Before we dive into monthly tips, find your general climate type:

Australia’s climate varies greatly, so planting success depends on your region. Tropical areas (like Darwin and Cairns) support year-round crops such as bananas and sweet potatoes. Subtropical zones (Brisbane, northern NSW) are perfect for tomatoes, beans, and herbs. In temperate regions (Sydney, Melbourne, Perth), you can grow seasonal classics like carrots, broccoli, and strawberries. Cool or alpine zones (Canberra, Tasmania) suit winter crops like peas, garlic, and cabbage. For arid zones (central Australia), drought-tolerant plants like melons, pumpkins, and native bush foods are ideal. Understanding your zone helps you grow the right plants at the right time—boosting both your yield and garden joy.

📅 What to Plant Each Month

✅ JANUARY

• Tropical: Plant capsicum, eggplant, okra, corn, snake beans

• Subtropical: Tomatoes, cucumber, watermelon, pumpkin

• Temperate: Start seeds of capsicum, tomatoes, basil indoors

• Cool: Focus on planning, pruning, and maintaining existing crops

• Arid: Cucumber, squash, basil, eggplant

✅ FEBRUARY

• Tropical: Chillies, sweet corn, kangkong

• Subtropical: Zucchini, eggplant, rockmelon

• Temperate: Lettuce, beetroot, carrots

• Cool: Prepare beds for autumn, plant broccoli and cabbage

• Arid: Watermelon, okra, beans, radish

✅ MARCH

• Tropical: Lettuce, spinach, chives

• Subtropical: Kale, coriander, leeks

• Temperate: Broccoli, onions, peas

• Cool: Garlic, turnips, leafy greens

• Arid: Lettuce, kale, mustard greens

✅ APRIL

• Tropical: Asian greens, radish, beans

• Subtropical: Spinach, broad beans, onions

• Temperate: Garlic, peas, cabbage

• Cool: Peas, parsnip, Brussels sprouts

• Arid: Carrots, kale, silverbeet

✅ MAY

• Tropical: Garlic, coriander, choy sum

• Subtropical: Lettuce, onions, pak choy

• Temperate: Broccoli, kale, leeks

• Cool: Broad beans, cabbage, cauliflower

• Arid: Spinach, fennel, onions

✅ JUNE

• Tropical: Leafy greens, shallots

• Subtropical: Garlic, spinach, rocket

• Temperate: Onions, mustard, celery

• Cool: Slow-growing crops like leeks, rhubarb

• Arid: Broccoli, silverbeet, coriander

✅ JULY

• Tropical: Tomatoes, beans, corn

• Subtropical: Start early tomatoes indoors

• Temperate: Prep soil for spring, sow lettuce indoors

• Cool: Prune trees, plan spring crops

• Arid: Garlic, kale, lettuce

✅ AUGUST

• Tropical: Tomatoes, chillies, basil

• Subtropical: Pumpkins, zucchini, beans

• Temperate: Seedlings of capsicum, tomatoes

• Cool: Onion, celery, late garlic

• Arid: Corn, cucumber, tomato seeds

✅ SEPTEMBER

• Tropical: Eggplant, chillies, watermelon

• Subtropical: Beans, capsicum, cucumber

• Temperate: Carrots, corn, spring onions

• Cool: Peas, spinach, early lettuce

• Arid: Pumpkin, basil, sunflowers

✅ OCTOBER

• Tropical: Okra, snake beans, rosella

• Subtropical: Tomatoes, rockmelon, zucchini

• Temperate: Cucumbers, sweet corn, herbs

• Cool: Tomatoes (in pots), carrots, spinach

• Arid: Watermelon, beans, eggplant

✅ NOVEMBER

• Tropical: Sweet potato, kangkong, chillies

• Subtropical: Basil, lettuce, corn

• Temperate: Eggplants, capsicum, rockmelon

• Cool: Late tomatoes, radishes

• Arid: Zucchini, capsicum, rockmelon

✅ DECEMBER

• Tropical: Cucumber, pumpkin, tomatoes

• Subtropical: Watermelon, chillies, basil

• Temperate: Corn, beans, cucumbers

• Cool: Focus on herbs, harvest time

• Arid: Lettuce, mint, herbs

🌱 Why Regional Planting Works Best

• 🌡️ Avoids frost or heat stress

• 🌧️ Matches local rainfall and water needs

• 🐛 Reduces pests and plant disease

• 🍅 Extends your harvesting season

🙋‍♀️ FAQs – Planting in Australia

❓ How do I know my local climate?

Check with Gardenate or your local council. Your planting zone is based on average temperatures, rainfall, and frost dates.

❓ Can I grow veggies in every climate?

Yes! With the right variety and timing, you can grow something nearly year-round — even in the outback or tropics. Raised beds, shade cloth, and smart watering help.

❓ What crops grow best nationwide?

Hardy vegetables like lettuce, silverbeet, basil, carrots, and beans perform well across multiple climates with adjusted timing.

❓ How often should I water?

It depends on the weather. Generally:

• 2–3 times a week in warm zones

• Daily in extreme heat (tropics, arid summer)

• Reduce to once a week or less in winter

❓ What are “shoulder seasons”?

Spring and autumn are shoulder seasons — perfect for transitioning crops. Start cool-season crops in autumn and warm-season in early spring.

❓ I live in the outback — what’s possible?

Plenty! Use water-saving techniques like wicking beds, mulch, and heat-tolerant crops like okra, eggplant, capsicum, and native bush foods.

🌿 Final Thoughts

Gardening in Australia is as varied as the land itself, but with the right planting guide for your region, you can enjoy fresh herbs, veg, and flowers all year. Understanding which plants to cultivate each month not only allows for diversity but also enhances ecological balance. Embrace seasonal planting to unlock the potential of your garden; it’s a rewarding journey that begins with careful planning and attentive care.

Whether it’s your backyard, balcony, or a few sunny pots on a windowsill — you can grow smart, grow well, and grow with the seasons.

Happy gardening 🌿 — from GrowPlantWell.