Australia’s Comprehensive Guide: Planting Herbs & Vegetables

Australia’s Comprehensive Guide: Planting Herbs & Vegetables

Gardening in Australia is a rewarding endeavour, thanks to our continent's vast and varied climates. Whether you're a green thumb in Sydney or just beginning your gardening journey in Melbourne, timing is everything. This guide offers tailored advice for Australia's major cities, helping you grow a garden that thrives in every season.

Importance of Planting Calendar

Where and when you’re planting plays a huge role in the success of your crop. But with so many factors to keep track of, it’s hard to know that you've got your bases covered and you’re set for success. A planting calendar is a great way to ensure that what you’re asking your plants to do is in line with their best growth patterns.

The best planting calendars are informed by plenty of research – but doing the extra work to plan out what you’re going to plant and when you need to take in some individual factors of your own. 

Consider that your planting calendar should take into account:

  • Where is your garden located?
  • What sorts of light and moisture conditions are you dealing with?
  • Is there some work that you need to do to bring your soil up to scratch?
  • What sorts of vegetables, herbs and fruits are you hoping to grow?

Doing a little bit of a deep dive on questions like these is the first step toward building your own targeted approach to growing fruit and vegetables at home. If you’re feeling a little out of your depth here, don’t worry. The details behind all of this are what we’re diving into next.

Planting for your regional conditions

Perhaps one of the most common problems that people run into when getting started out planting their own fruit, vegetables and herbs is not planting for their regional conditions. That is, attempting to grow plants that aren’t well adapted to the environment you’re trying to grow them in.

The same crop that will thrive in a Brisbane-based garden will not likely grow as well in Hobart. The same is true for virtually anything you try to grow. The most populous sections of the country tend to be somewhat temperate though, so if you live in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney or nearby, you’ll often have plenty of options to choose from.

We recommend coming into your local Mitre 10 or digging a little deeper online for region specific advice on particular herbs, fruits and vegetables. There’s no easier way to ensure your success than to choose a crop that is well suited!

Choosing and zoning your plants

Once you’ve determined what conditions you’re working with, you then want to pick out the particular herbs, fruit and veg that will work best for those conditions – but also that will grow well together. Some plants don’t make good bed mates, and others simply don’t play well with others at all! If you’re planning a small herb garden without much space, you’ll need to consider the sorts of plants that you want sharing resources in your garden.

It’s not all problems on this front as you can actually make some careful choices that will bring out the best in both types of plants. Tarragon is a shining example of exactly this. It’s a herb that not only pairs well with a whole variety of other herbs, but also produces a range of complementary conditions for the surrounding plants.

We recommend breaking your garden down into sections and planting it on something of a grid. This will help ensure that your crop has adequate access to resources and isn’t left battling a more aggressive neighbouring crop. This will also help you make targeted decisions down the line about what to plant next, and what work needs to be done to restore your soil.

Timing your planting

When planting your garden, you need to consider the seasonality of your crop, and how early or late in their particular season you can expect to plant and grow your crop successfully. 

An important feature of all this is frost, and you’ll often hear experienced home gardeners and farmers talk about frost dates. These are the points of the late winter and early autumn where you can expect to avoid freezing temperatures and overnight frost. 

This is important because some plants respond better to frost than others. Some plants simply won’t survive frost conditions and shouldn’t ever be planted outside before these dates.

What Vegetables to Plant Now?

Melbourne

Melbourne's ever-changing climate can be a challenge, but with the right knowledge, it's a gardener's paradise:

  • Spring: The gentle warmth of spring is welcoming for Tomatoes, Lettuce, and Radishes. As the temperature gradually rises, these plants offer a quick and fresh harvest.
  • Summer: Relish the warmer months with Bell Peppers and Zucchinis. They not only bring colour to your garden but are also packed with nutrients.
  • Autumn: As Melbourne's air cools, focus on Broccoli and Brussels Sprouts. Their resilience makes them perfect for this season.
  • Winter: Even in the chill, Melbourne gardens can flourish with Kale and Spinach, both preferring the cooler climate and shorter days.

Sydney

With consistent rainfall and milder temperatures, Sydney is a haven for diverse vegetables:

  • Spring: Cabbages and Cauliflowers are ideal choices, given their sturdy growth and pest resistance.
  • Summer: The bounties of summer include Green Beans and Sweet Corn, ensuring a high yield.
  • Autumn: Underground wonders like Beetroots and Turnips are optimal choices for Sydney’s autumn, protected from temperature fluctuations.
  • Winter: Utilise Sydney’s mild winter to grow Onions and Garlic, ready for harvest in the subsequent warmer months.

Queensland

Thanks to its tropical and subtropical climates, Queensland offers a unique set of gardening opportunities:

  • Spring: Eggplants and Cucumbers thrive in the budding warmth, ready to provide a quick harvest as temperatures rise.
  • Summer: Embrace tropical vibes with Sweet Potatoes and Pumpkins. These sun-loving veggies will flourish under the Queensland sun.
  • Autumn: Transition to cooler crops like Carrots and Peas. These veggies can handle the mild drop in temperature and are great additions to any dish.
  • Winter: While much of Australia cools down, Queensland remains relatively warm. Opt for Chilies and Capsicums to add some heat to your winter garden.

Adelaide (South Australia)

Adelaide’s Mediterranean climate offers a distinctive planting calendar, with warm dry summers and cool wet winters:

  • Spring: Beets and Silverbeet are spring champions, enjoying the mild conditions and preparing for a colourful harvest.
  • Summer: In the heart of the dry season, resilient plants like Tomatoes and Zucchinis are optimal, bringing both flavour and colour to the Adelaide garden.
  • Autumn: Lettuce and Kale provide a green touch to the cooling days, offering fresh salads and healthy green smoothies.
  • Winter: This season is all about root vegetables in Adelaide. Think Turnips and Onions to make the most of the cooler ground.

Perth

Perth’s hot summers and mild winters make it a unique spot for gardening enthusiasts:

  • Spring: Broccoli and Cauliflower love the transition from cooler winter to warmer spring, setting the stage for a bountiful harvest.
  • Summer: With the mercury rising, plants like Capsicums and Eggplants are perfect choices. Their love for heat ensures a high yield during Perth's scorching days.
  • Autumn: As Perth cools off, it's time for Spinach and Radishes. These quick-growing veggies are ready for harvest in no time.
  • Winter: While Perth's winters are mild, it's an excellent time for Broad Beans and Peas. These legumes add nitrogen back to the soil, prepping your garden for the next spring.

Mastering Companion Planting

Effective gardening goes beyond just planting; it's about understanding relationships between plants. For instance, Tomatoes thrive when planted alongside Basil, offering mutual protection and enhanced flavours. By understanding such companionships, you can amplify your garden's success.

Printable Vegetable Planting Guide Australia

A gardener is only as good as their tools. Ensure you have the essentials, from ergonomic spades to moisture metres. For a deeper dive and a detailed planting guide tailored for every Australian region, check out our printable guide. It's packed with insights, charts, and actionable tips to elevate your gardening game.

Let us help

If you’re looking for guidance on how to best time your gardening efforts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Mitre 10. With great prices on all the gear you need to tend to your garden and the backing of tailored advice from our team, we’re the place to come for all your gardening needs.

Reach out here online today or come pay us a visit in store to get detailed advice on your choice of products from all the leading brands in home improvement. Reach out via our contact page today!

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