Plant Now

This planting guide was put together by me based upon my personal experiences with gardening in Canberra. Other books and publications, as well as seed packets, will state different planting times and lengths. A cool climate is unique in that is has hot summers but frosty and sometimes subzero winters. Whereas many gardening books are based on planting in a temperate climate which often experience no frost. To counter the cooler winters, some crops need to be planted earlier in order for them to reach maturity and be ready for harvest in autumn or winter.

It is also important to remember that every backyard develops it's own microclimate based on it's orientation and exposure to different elements and may be warmer or cooler. There is no "one size fits all" when it comes to gardening, just what is "likely to grow now, and unlikely to grow now".

You will need to experiment in your own garden with what will work, but I hope this points you in the right direction.

January

Roots	Beetroot, Carrots, Florence Fennel, Onions, Parsley, Parsnip, Radishes, Turnips, Swedes
Fruits	Strawberries and other berries
Legumes	Beans
Leaves	Perennial herbs (thyme, sage, rosemary, oregano, chives), Basil, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, Kale, Kohl rabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Spring onions, Watercress

Note: These plants have been divided according to crop rotation principles. However, there are varying opinions on how crops should be rotated. Please see our webpage about crop rotation for further information.

February

Roots	Beetroot, Carrots, Florence Fennel, Parsley, Parsnip, Radishes, Turnips, Swedes
Fruits	Strawberries and other berries
Legumes	Beans, snow peas,
Leaves	Perennial herbs (thyme, sage, rosemary, oregano, chives), Basil, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Chicory, Chinese cabbage, Endive, Garlic, Kale, Kohl rabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Silverbeet, Spinach, Spring onions, Watercress

March

Roots	Beetroot, Carrots, Parsley, Radishes, Turnips
Fruits
Legumes	Peas, snow peas
Leaves	Perennial herbs (thyme, sage, rosemary, oregano, chives), Broccoli, Cauliflower, Chicory, Endive, Garlic, Kale, Lettuce, Silverbeet, Spinach, Spring onions

April

Roots	Beetroot, Carrots, Parsley, Radishes, Turnips
Fruits
Legumes	Peas, snow peas (with frost protection), broadbeans
Leaves	Perennial herbs (thyme, sage, rosemary, oregano, chives), Broccoli, Cauliflower, Kale, Lettuce, Silverbeet, Spinach, Spring onions, Turnips

May

Roots	Beetroot, Carrots, Parsley
Fruits
Legumes	Peas, broadbeans
Leaves	Perennial herbs (thyme, sage, rosemary, oregano, chives), Broccoli, Cauliflower, Kale, Lettuce, Silverbeet, Spinach, Spring onions

Please note, depending on soil and ambient air temperatures this month, it may not be warm enough for seeds to sprout and grow. Frost netting which covers the ground can assist in keeping warmth in. Those that do sprout may remain small until the soil and ambient air temperature increases in September.

June

Roots	Beetroot, Carrots, Parsley
Fruits	Bare root cane berries (raspberries, boysenberries, blackberries, youngberries, loganberries), bare root fruit trees
Legumes	Peas, broadbeans
Leaves	Annual herbs (thyme, sage, rosemary, oregano, chives), Broccoli, Cauliflower, Kale, Lettuce, Rhubarb, Silverbeet, Spinach, Spring onions

Although these seeds can be planted now, you are unlikely to see any growth. It is recommended you wait until September.

July

Roots	Beetroot, Carrots, Parsley
Fruits	Bare root cane berries (raspberries, boysenberries, blackberries, youngberries, loganberries), bare root fruit trees
Legumes	Peas, broadbeans
Leaves	Annual herbs (thyme, sage, rosemary, oregano, chives), Broccoli, Cauliflower, Kale, Lettuce, Rhubarb, Silverbeet, Spinach, Spring onions

Although these seeds can be planted now, you are unlikely to see any growth. It is recommended you wait until September.

August

Roots	Beetroot, Carrots, Parsley
Fruits	Bare root cane berries (raspberries, boysenberries, blackberries, youngberries, loganberries), bare root fruit trees
Legumes	Peas, snow peas (with frost protection)
Leaves	Perennial herbs (thyme, sage, rosemary, oregano, chives), Broccoli, Cauliflower, Kale, Lettuce, Onions, Rhubarb, Silverbeet, Spinach, Spring onions
Miscellaneous	Asparagus

Although these seeds can be planted now, you are unlikely to see any growth. It is recommended you wait until September.

September

Roots	Beetroot, Carrots, Parsley, Parsnips, Radishes, Swedes, Turnips
Fruits	Strawberries and other berries
Legumes	Snow peas, Peas
Leaves	Perennial herbs (thyme, sage, rosemary, oregano, chives), Brussel Sprouts, Celery, Chinese cabbage, Jerusalem artichokes, Kohl rabi, Globe artichokes, Leeks, Lettuce, watercress, Rhubarb, Spring onions
Miscellaneous	Asparagus

October

Roots	Beetroot, Carrots, Celeriac, Onions, Parsley, Parsnip, Potatoes, Radishes, Swedes, Turnips
Fruits	Corn, Strawberries and other berries
Legumes	Snow peas, Peas
Leaves	Perennial herbs (thyme, sage, rosemary, oregano, chives), Basil, Brussel Sprouts, Celery, Chinese cabbage, Globe artichokes, Kohl rabi, Lettuce, Spring onions, Watercress

November

Roots	Beetroot, Carrots, Celeriac, Dill, Parsley, Onions, Parsnip, Potatoes, Radishes, Swedes, Turnips
Fruits	Capsicums, Chilies, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Melons including rockmelon and watermelon, Okra, Pumpkins, Strawberries and other berries, Squash, Tomatoes, Zucchini,
Legumes	Beans, Bortolli Beans, Soybean (edamame)
Leaves	Perennial herbs (thyme, sage, rosemary, oregano, chives), Basil, Brussel Sprouts, Celery, Chinese cabbage, Kohl rabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Spring onions, Watercress

December

Roots	Beetroot, Carrots, Dill, Florence Fennel, Onions, Parsley, Parsnip, Potatoes, Radishes, Swedes, Turnips
Fruits	Capsicums, Chilies, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Okra, Strawberries and other berries, Squash, Tomatoes, Zucchini
Legumes	Beans, Bortolli beans, Soybean (edamame)
Leaves	Perennial herbs (thyme, sage, rosemary, oregano, chives), Basil, Brussel Sprouts, Celery, Chinese cabbage, Kohl rabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Spring onions, Watercress