Timing is crucial in vegetable gardening. Planting too early exposes tender seedlings to frost damage; planting too late means crops may not mature before season's end. This comprehensive planting calendar provides month-by-month guidance for Australian gardeners, accounting for our unique seasons and regional climate variations. Use this guide as a starting point, adjusting for your specific microclimate and local conditions.
Understanding Australian Planting Seasons
Australia's diverse climate means planting calendars vary significantly between regions. The recommendations in this guide primarily suit temperate zones (Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Sydney suburbs), with notes on adjustments for tropical, subtropical, and cool temperate areas.
Tropical/Subtropical: Plant warm-season crops year-round; avoid planting during wet season peaks. Cool Temperate: Delay spring plantings by 2-4 weeks; start autumn plantings earlier. Inland/Arid: Compress warm-season plantings to avoid extreme summer heat.
Remember that raised beds warm faster than in-ground gardens, often allowing slightly earlier spring plantings. Conversely, they may need extra protection during frost events since the elevated soil lacks thermal mass.
Spring: September to November
Spring is the busiest planting season, with warm-season crops going in as frost risk diminishes and cool-season crops finishing their cycle.
September
Early spring remains cool with frost risk in many areas. Focus on starting seeds indoors and preparing beds for warmer weather.
- Direct sow: Asian greens, beetroot, carrots, lettuce, peas, radishes, silverbeet, spinach
- Start indoors: Tomatoes, capsicums, eggplant, cucumber, zucchini (for transplanting in October-November)
- Transplant: Brassica seedlings (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) for late spring harvest
Tasks: Complete soil preparation, install stakes and trellises, start warming soil with clear plastic if you want to plant warm-season crops earlier.
October
Frost risk diminishing in most temperate areas. A key planting month for summer vegetables.
- Direct sow: Beans (after last frost), corn, cucumber, pumpkin, lettuce, beetroot, carrots, spring onions
- Transplant: Tomatoes, capsicums, eggplant (once nights consistently above 10°C), basil
- Continue harvesting: Cool-season crops planted in autumn
Don't rush warm-season plantings. Tomatoes and capsicums planted into cold soil sit dormant and may develop problems. Waiting two weeks for warmer conditions often results in faster overall growth.
November
Full spring warmth arrives. Last chance for many warm-season plantings to mature before autumn.
- Direct sow: Beans, corn, cucumber, melons, pumpkin, zucchini, basil, sunflowers
- Transplant: Late tomatoes, capsicums, chillies, eggplant
- Succession plant: Lettuce (heat-tolerant varieties), Asian greens, radishes for continuous harvest
Tasks: Install shade cloth for summer protection, establish consistent watering routines, mulch heavily as temperatures rise.
Summer: December to February
Summer focuses on maintenance rather than major planting. Protect existing crops from heat stress and keep succession plantings going for continuous harvest.
December
Peak growing conditions for warm-season vegetables, but heat stress becomes a concern.
- Plant: Heat-tolerant lettuce, Asian greens (in afternoon shade), beans for late crop, herbs
- Avoid: New plantings of cool-season vegetables, which will bolt immediately
- Begin harvesting: Early tomatoes, zucchini, beans, cucumbers
Tasks: Water consistently (possibly daily), harvest regularly to encourage continued production, scout for pests which proliferate in warm weather.
January
Hottest month in most regions. Focus shifts to keeping plants alive and productive through extreme heat.
- Plant: Limited—only heat-tolerant varieties in shaded positions. Consider taking a planting break in very hot areas
- Harvest: Tomatoes, capsicums, beans, zucchini, cucumbers, melons, corn
Tasks: Provide shade during heat waves, water deeply, maintain mulch, don't fertilise during extreme heat (plants can't take up nutrients when stressed).
During severe heat (above 40°C), water early morning and late afternoon. Shade cloth reduces temperatures by 5-10°C. Accept some flower drop on tomatoes—production resumes when temperatures moderate.
February
Late summer brings opportunities to start thinking about autumn plantings while summer crops continue producing.
- Plant: Autumn tomatoes (quick-maturing varieties), beans, lettuce, Asian greens, broccoli and cauliflower seeds (for autumn transplant)
- Harvest: Continue harvesting summer vegetables; preserve excess through freezing, drying, or canning
Tasks: Assess bed condition and plan autumn improvements, start compost pile with spent summer plants, order autumn seeds if not already done.
Autumn: March to May
Autumn rivals spring as a productive planting season. Cooling temperatures suit many vegetables, and pest pressure typically decreases.
March
Second major planting season begins. Warm enough for quick crops, cooling enough for brassicas.
- Direct sow: Beetroot, carrots, lettuce, Asian greens, radishes, spring onions, peas (late month in cool areas)
- Transplant: Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale seedlings
- Final harvest: Summer tomatoes, capsicums, eggplant before quality declines
Tasks: Clear spent summer crops, add compost and rejuvenate soil, reduce watering as temperatures drop.
April
Prime time for cool-season planting. Many gardeners find autumn vegetables easier than summer crops.
- Direct sow: Broad beans, peas, garlic (cloves), onions (seedlings or sets), carrots, beetroot, silverbeet, spinach, lettuce
- Transplant: Brassica seedlings, leeks
- Plant perennial herbs: Mint, oregano, thyme, sage establish well in autumn
May
Last major planting month before winter slows growth significantly.
- Direct sow: Broad beans, peas, garlic, onions, snow peas, Asian greens (cold-tolerant varieties)
- Transplant: Final brassica plantings
- Begin harvesting: Early autumn plantings of lettuce, Asian greens, radishes
Tasks: Apply winter mulch, clean up fallen leaves, protect tender plants if frost threatens.
Winter: June to August
Growth slows dramatically but doesn't stop entirely. Focus on maintaining existing plantings and planning for spring.
June
Minimal planting occurs. Existing cool-season crops grow slowly but steadily.
- Plant: Garlic (if not done in autumn), rhubarb crowns, asparagus crowns (bare-root)
- Harvest: Brassicas, leeks, silverbeet, spinach, winter lettuces
Tasks: Maintain weed control, order spring seeds, plan next season's plantings, build or repair bed structures.
July
Coldest month. Garden maintenance takes priority over new plantings.
- Plant: Very limited—potatoes can be started indoors in warmer areas
- Harvest: Continue harvesting winter vegetables as needed
Tasks: Turn compost piles, sharpen and maintain tools, apply lime if soil pH adjustment needed (takes time to work).
August
Late winter sees the beginning of spring preparations. Days lengthen noticeably.
- Direct sow: Peas, broad beans (if not done), Asian greens, lettuce, radishes (in milder areas)
- Start indoors: Early tomatoes, capsicums, eggplant for spring transplanting
- Transplant: Strawberry runners, last brassica plantings
Tasks: Prepare seed-raising equipment, top up beds with compost, prune fruit trees while dormant.
Year-Round Vegetables
Some vegetables can be planted almost year-round in temperate areas with appropriate variety selection:
- Lettuce: Heat-tolerant varieties in summer, cold-tolerant in winter
- Asian greens: Various types suit different seasons
- Silverbeet/chard: Tolerates heat and frost reasonably well
- Spring onions: Year-round in mild climates
- Herbs: Many perennial herbs produce year-round; annual herbs need seasonal succession
Develop your own planting calendar over time, noting what works best in your specific garden. Local gardening groups and community gardens are excellent resources for region-specific timing advice. Your raised bed, with its improved drainage and warming soil, may allow you to push boundaries slightly earlier in spring and later in autumn than traditional calendars suggest.