If you garden in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, or anywhere in between, you live in Australia’s temperate zone. This is the largest climate zone in the country, and it is brilliant for growing food. You get enough warmth in summer for tomatoes and enough chill in winter for peas. The trick is knowing what to plant when.
This month-by-month calendar gives you a complete guide to planting, harvesting, and garden tasks for the entire year. Bookmark it, print it, stick it on your fridge. Your future self will thank you.
The Full Year at a Glance
| Month | Plant (Seeds) | Plant (Seedlings) | Harvest | Key Tasks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Beans, carrots, beetroot, corn, cucumber | Tomato, capsicum, eggplant, chilli | Tomatoes, zucchini, beans, cucumber, herbs | Water deeply, mulch, shade cloth for heat |
| Feb | Beans, lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, turnip | Leeks, silverbeet, celery | Tomatoes, eggplant, capsicum, corn, basil | Start autumn brassica seeds, save tomato seeds |
| Mar | Peas, broad beans, spinach, radish, Asian greens | Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale | Capsicum, chilli, pumpkin, sweet potato, herbs | Compost spent summer crops, plant green manure |
| Apr | Peas, broad beans, garlic, onion, lettuce | Broccoli, cauliflower, silverbeet | Pumpkin, sweet potato, late tomatoes, leeks | Plant garlic, prepare winter beds |
| May | Broad beans, peas, garlic, onion, shallots | Cabbage, kale, silverbeet, spinach | Leeks, silverbeet, Asian greens, herbs | Prune deciduous fruit trees, build soil |
| Jun | Broad beans, peas, onion seeds | Lettuce, spinach, kale | Brassicas, leeks, silverbeet, citrus | Plan spring garden, order seeds |
| Jul | Peas, radish, lettuce, parsnip | Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce | Brassicas, citrus, leafy greens | Prune roses, prepare seed-raising trays |
| Aug | Tomato (indoors), capsicum (indoors), lettuce, beetroot | Lettuce, silverbeet, spring onion | Brassicas, peas, leafy greens | Start warm season seeds indoors |
| Sep | Beans, corn, pumpkin, zucchini, cucumber | Tomato, capsicum, eggplant | Peas, broad beans, lettuce, herbs | Harden off seedlings, prepare warm beds |
| Oct | Beans, corn, cucumber, melon, pumpkin | Tomato, chilli, basil, eggplant | Broad beans, peas, spring onions | Plant out warm season seedlings |
| Nov | Beans, corn, cucumber, melon, basil | Tomato, capsicum, sweet potato | Peas, lettuce, spring onion, strawberries | Mulch heavily, set up watering systems |
| Dec | Beans, carrots, beetroot, lettuce (shade) | Late tomato, cucumber | Strawberries, beans, early tomatoes, herbs | Shade cloth, consistent watering, pest watch |
Month-by-Month Guide
January: The Heat Is On
Summer is in full swing. Your garden should be pumping out tomatoes, zucchini, beans, and cucumbers. The main challenge now is heat management and consistent watering.
Plant from seed: Beans, carrots, beetroot, corn, cucumber, lettuce (in shade), basil, coriander (bolt-resistant varieties).
Plant as seedlings: Late tomatoes, capsicum, eggplant, chilli.
Key tasks: Water deeply in the early morning. Mulch everything heavily to conserve moisture. Set up shade cloth for lettuce and other heat-sensitive crops. Watch for fruit fly on tomatoes and stone fruit.
February: Transition Month
The heat continues but the days are getting shorter. This is your last chance to plant warm season crops and the perfect time to start planning your autumn garden.
Plant from seed: Beans (last chance), lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, turnip, beetroot, Asian greens.
Plant as seedlings: Leeks, silverbeet, celery.
Key tasks: Start brassica seedlings in trays for autumn planting. Save seeds from your best tomato plants. Keep up with watering and harvesting.
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The relief of cooler weather arrives. This is one of the most productive planting months in the temperate zone. The soil is still warm but the air is cooling, which is perfect for a huge range of crops.
Plant from seed: Peas, broad beans, spinach, radish, turnip, Asian greens, rocket, coriander, dill.
Plant as seedlings: Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, silverbeet.
Key tasks: Pull out spent summer crops and compost them. Add a thick layer of compost to beds. Sow green manure crops in empty beds. Plant strawberry runners.
April: The Planting Frenzy
April is peak planting season for winter crops. Get everything in the ground now so it has time to establish before the cold really sets in.
Plant from seed: Peas, broad beans, garlic (cloves), onion, lettuce, rocket, coriander, parsnip, carrot.
Plant as seedlings: Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, silverbeet, lettuce.
Key tasks: Plant garlic cloves pointy end up, about 3 centimetres deep. Mulch around brassicas to keep weeds down. Set up snail and slug protection.
May: Settling In
The garden is quieter now. Your winter crops are establishing and the pace slows down. This is a great month for soil building and planning.
Plant from seed: Broad beans, peas, garlic (last chance), onion, shallots.
Plant as seedlings: Cabbage, kale, silverbeet, spinach.
Key tasks: Prune deciduous fruit trees once leaves have dropped. Spread compost and manure on empty beds. Check brassicas for caterpillars.
June: The Quiet Season
Winter has arrived. Growth slows but your winter garden should be looking lush with brassicas, leafy greens, and alliums.
Plant from seed: Broad beans, peas, onion seeds.
Plant as seedlings: Lettuce, spinach, kale.
Key tasks: Plan your spring and summer garden. Order seeds from catalogues. Build new garden beds. Fix irrigation systems. Enjoy the citrus harvest.
July: Planning and Pruning
The coldest month in most temperate areas. Not much planting happens, but there is plenty to do in terms of preparation.
Plant from seed: Peas, radish, lettuce, parsnip.
Plant as seedlings: Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce.
Key tasks: Prune roses. Clean and sharpen tools. Start a garden journal. Set up seed-raising trays in a warm spot for early tomato and capsicum starts.
August: Spring Stirrings
The days are getting longer and warmer. This is the month to start your warm season seedlings indoors and get ready for the spring planting rush.
Plant from seed: Tomato and capsicum (indoors in seed trays), lettuce, beetroot, radish, spring onion.
Plant as seedlings: Lettuce, silverbeet, spring onion.
Key tasks: Start tomato, capsicum, eggplant, and chilli seeds indoors. Prepare beds for spring planting with compost and manure. Watch for early aphid activity.
September: Spring Has Sprung
Everything wakes up. The soil is warming and it is time to get busy. September is one of the most exciting months in the garden.
Plant from seed: Beans, corn, pumpkin, zucchini, cucumber, basil, coriander.
Plant as seedlings: Tomato (after last frost), capsicum, eggplant.
Key tasks: Harden off indoor seedlings before planting out. Prepare tomato stakes and supports. Mulch around new plantings. Watch the weather for late frosts.
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Frost risk has passed in most temperate areas. It is time to plant out all your warm season crops with confidence.
Plant from seed: Beans, corn, cucumber, melon, pumpkin, sunflower, basil.
Plant as seedlings: Tomato, chilli, capsicum, eggplant, basil, sweet potato slips.
Key tasks: Plant out tomato seedlings with deep planting (bury the stem up to the first set of leaves). Set up tomato cages and stakes. Begin regular liquid feeding of warm season crops.
November: The Garden Roars to Life
Growth is explosive. Your summer garden is establishing and you should be harvesting the last of your cool season crops.
Plant from seed: Beans (succession planting), corn, cucumber, melon, basil, coriander.
Plant as seedlings: Late tomato, sweet potato, cucumber.
Key tasks: Mulch everything heavily before summer heat arrives. Set up drip irrigation or soaker hoses. Begin pest monitoring for caterpillars, aphids, and whitefly.
December: Summer Begins
The garden is in full production mode. Harvesting takes over from planting as the main activity.
Plant from seed: Beans (last succession), carrots, beetroot, lettuce (in shade only).
Plant as seedlings: Late cucumber.
Key tasks: Harvest regularly to keep plants producing. Install shade cloth over lettuce and other sensitive crops. Water deeply and consistently. Watch for fruit fly.
Tips for Temperate Zone Success
- Succession plant. Do not put all your lettuce or beans in at once. Plant a small batch every two to three weeks for a continuous harvest.
- Know your frost dates. In Melbourne, the last frost is typically mid-September. In Sydney, frost is rare on the coast but common inland. Plan your warm season planting accordingly.
- Build your soil. Every time you finish a crop, add compost before planting the next one. Over time, your soil will become incredibly fertile.
- Rotate your crops. Do not plant tomatoes in the same spot every year. Rotate between plant families to prevent soil-borne diseases.
This calendar is your roadmap, but remember that every garden is different. Pay attention to what works in your specific patch, take notes, and adjust as you learn. Happy planting.
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