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 |