Spring is just around the corner and it’s time to start planting! Here’s some ideas on what to plant in the garden this month.
What to Plant Now in Australia?
Check out our regional zone planting guide. Find which zone you are in on the map below:
Tropical (North Qld, NT & WA)
FRUIT & VEGETABLES: asparagus crowns, beans (french and climbing), beetroot, bok choy, carrot, eggplant, kale, kohlrabi, pak choi, pumpkin, radish, rocket, silverbeet, spring onion, tomato and zucchini.
FLOWERS: amaranthus, begonia, calendula, californian poppy, carnation, cineraria, dahlia, dianthus, impatiens, marigold, nasturtium, snapdragon, sunflower, sweet william, verbena and zinnia.
Subtropical (South-east Qld & Northern NSW)
FRUIT & VEGETABLES: artichoke (globe), asparagus crowns, beans (french and climbing), beetroot, bok choy, cabbage, carrot, celery, eggplant, jerusalem artichoke, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, pak choi, potato, pumpkin, radish, rocket, silverbeet, snow peas, spring onion, tomato, turnip and zucchini/squash.
HERBS: chives, coriander and parsley.
FLOWERS: alyssum, begonia, billy buttons, calendula, Californian poppy, carnation, cineraria, dahlia, dianthus, honesty, impatiens, marigold, nasturtium, snapdragon, sunflower, sweet william, verbena and zinnia.
Arid / Semi-Arid (Outback & Dry Inland Areas)
FRUIT & VEGETABLES: artichokes, asparagus crowns, beetroot, bok choy, cabbage, carrot, celery, eggplant, jerusalem artichoke, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, onion, pak choi, peas, potato, radish, rocket, silverbeet, snow peas, spring onion, tomato and turnip.
HERBS: chives, coriander, mint and parsley.
FLOWERS: billy buttons, marigold, polyanthus and primula.
Warm Temperate (Sydney, Coastal NSW & Victoria, Adelaide & Perth)
FRUIT & VEGETABLES: artichoke (globe), asparagus crowns, beetroot, bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, celery, eggplant, endive, english spinach, jerusalem artichoke, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, onion, peas, potato, radish, rocket, silverbeet, snow peas, spring onion, tomato and turnip.
HERBS: chives, coriander, mint and parsley.
FLOWERS: billy buttons, calendula, Californian poppy, dianthus, honesty, marigold, nasturtium, polyanthus, primula, snapdragon, sunflower, sweet william and verbena.
Cold Temperate (Melbourne & Cool Highlands)
FRUIT & VEGETABLES: artichoke (globe), asparagus crowns, broad beans, broccoli, cabbage, celery, endive, english spinach, jerusalem artichoke, kohlrabi, lettuce, onion, peas, potatoes, radish, snow peas and turnip.
HERBS: coriander and mint.
FLOWERS: polyanthus and primula.
A few points to remember:
August is a good time to start getting your garden ready for spring. Make a list of the herbs and vegetables you want to grow. Find a warm place to grow your seedlings – it may be too cold to plant them outdoors and remember to label your seedlings.
Go through your packets of flower seeds and check for any that are out of date. Sprinkle a sample of seeds on to some damp paper towels, fold the towel over and place in a ziplock bag. Place this in a warm place out of the sun. Anything that is still OK will germinate within a couple of weeks.
Check your indoor plants for any pests. Mealy bugs thrive on plants and are white, fluff-covered bumps that can be found under the leaves and at the base of plants. Scale insects can be identified as raised lumps on the leaves and leave a sticky exudation. Move any infested plants preferably to a frost-free, shaded position outdoors. Mealy bugs can be removed by dabbing a cotton bud in methylated spirits. Apply Eco-Neem Oil to the plant to keep them away. Remove scale insects by hand or dip a brush in soap and gently scrub the leaf.
