Tropical – Northern tip of Queensland extending south to Rockhampton. Hot and humid from December to March followed by a long dry season from April to November.
Subtropical – Coastal regions east of the dividing range south from Rockhampton to just below Coffs Harbour. Dry relatively warm winters and wet, moderately hot summers.
Cool Temperate  – Small area just inland from the coast including Toowoomba and Warwick and inland parts of northern NSW. Winters are cold and frosty.  Summers are cooler than surrounding districts.

Now select the season (above) you are interested. You will find a list of seasonal tasks and planting lists for the climatic zone in which you garden.

Slowed growth during winter provides an opportunity to tackle major landscaping projects like making new garden beds, paving, constructing pergolas or building retaining walls. Frost plagues inland gardeners, but elsewhere attention should be paid to making optimum use of scarce water resources.

Seasonal Tasks
Plant roses, deciduous trees, shrubs and frangipani cuttings.
Prune roses, deciduous plants and swollen gall wasp stems on citrus.
Relocate poorly positioned trees and shrubs to new areas.
Control carrot-like bindii weed in lawns to avoid painful burrs during summer.
Fertilise citrus, passionfruit, native plants and emerging bulbs, then water well.

In Bloom
Camellia, colvillea, grevillea, ipomoea vine, poinsettia & tabebuia
Flowers to Plant
All Zones – alyssum, petunia, marigold
Tropical - amaranthus, begonia, cosmos, celosia, gomphrena, phlox, portulaca, salvia, sunflower, torenia & zinnia
Subtropical - calendula, cornflower, dianthus, kale, lobelia, nemesia, pansy, phlox, statice, strawflower  & viola
Cool Temperate – as for subtropical plus candytuft, cineraria, clarkia, delphinium, English daisy, godetia, hollyhock, larkspur, linaria, lupin, nigella, polyanthus, poppy, primula, schizanthus, snapdragon, stock, sweet pea, sweet William & wallflower

Vegetables to Plant
All Zones – carrot, cauliflower, kohl rabi, lettuce, radish, spring onion & turnip
Tropical  - beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, French beans, garlic, leeks, potatoes, pumpkin, silver beet, squash, swede, sweet potato & tomato
Subtropical - beetroot, broad beans, broccoli, cabbage, capsicum, celery, endive, French beans, garlic, leeks, onions, parsnip, peas, potatoes, silver beet, spinach, swede, sweet potato & tomato
Cool Temperate – parsnip & peas

In Bloom
Wattle, shower orchid (Congea) dombeya, coral tree (Erythrina), orange trumpet vine (Pyrostegia)Flowers to Plant
All Zones – alyssum, marigold & petunia
Tropical - amaranthus, begonia, cosmos, celosia, gomphrena, phlox, portulaca, salvia, sunflower, torenia & zinnia
Subtropical - amaranthus, cosmos, gomphrena, phlox, portulaca, salvia, sunflower, torenia and zinnias
Cool Temperate - calendula, candytuft, dianthus, kale, lobelia, nemesia, pansy, phlox, primula, statice, strawflower, verbena, viola
Vegetables to Plant
All Zones – carrot, kohl rabi, lettuce, radish, spring onion & turnip
Tropical  - beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, French beans, garlic, leeks, potatoes, pumpkin, silver beet, squash, swede, sweet potato & tomato
Subtropical - beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, capsicum, celery, endive, French bean, garlic, leeks, peas, potatoes, silver beet, swede, sweet potato & tomato
Cool temperate – cauliflower, garlic, parsnip & peas

In Bloom
Azalea, Geraldton wax, jasmine, magnolia & tabebuia
Flowers to Plant
All Zones -  alyssum, marigold, petunia
Tropical - amaranthus, begonia, celosia, cosmos, gomphrena, phlox, portulaca, salvia, sunflower, torenia & zinnia
Subtropical - amaranthus, begonia, celosia, cosmos, gomphrena, salvia, sunflower & zinnia
Cool Temperate - calendula, lobelia, nemesia, pansy, phlox, statice, strawflower, verbena & viola
Vegetables to Plant
All Zones – kohl rabi, lettuce & radish
Tropical & Subtropical - beetroot, carrot, capsicum, celery, cucumber, eggplant, French beans, okra, potatoes, pumpkin, silver beet, spring onion, squash, sweet potato, tomato & zucchini
Cool Temperate – cabbage, cauliflower, celery & silver beet

It is easy to be inspired by the colour and perfume of annuals and bulbs in flower in temperate and subtropical regions during spring. Even as the build up to the wet season begins, flower and vegetable gardens in the tropics continue to soldier on. Visit your local nursery to check out new release plants and the latest gardening trends.

Seasonal Tasks
Fertilise bulbs, pawpaws, citrus and roses and water well.
Protect seedlings from snails and slugs with non-toxic, iron based baits.
Prune hibiscus now and azaleas, poinsettias and snowflake bush after flowering.
Repot and fertilize indoor plants.
Control azalea lace bug, aphids, scale, leaf miner and bronze orange bugs.

In Bloom
Deciduous trees, azaleas, cymbidium orchids, hippeastrum, bombax tree, & Marguerite daisy
Flowers to Plant
All Zones – alyssum, begonia, cosmos, marigold & petunia
Tropical - amaranthus, celosia, gomphrena, phlox, portulaca, salvia, sunflower, torenia & zinnia
Subtropical & Cool Temperate - aster, amaranthus, celosia, cleome, gomphrena, phlox, portulaca, salvia, sunflower, torenia & zinnia
Vegetables to Plant
All Zones – carrot, choko, cucumber, eggplant, French beans, lettuce, radish, spring onion, squash & tomato
Tropical  - capsicum, kohl rabi, okra, pumpkin, rockmelon, rosella, sweet potato, tomato, watermelon & zucchini
Subtropical - beetroot, capsicum, kohl rabi, okra, pumpkin, rockmelon, rosella, silver beet, sweet corn, sweet potato, watermelon & zucchini
Cool Temperate – beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, silver beet & sweet corn

In Bloom
Callistemon, jacaranda, tree waratah (Alloxylon) May bush, native frangipani (Hymenosporum) & star jasmine
Flowers to Plant
All Zones – alyssum, amaranthus, begonia, cosmos, marigold, petunia, portulaca, salvia, torenia & zinnia
Tropical – gomphrena & phlox
Subtropical & Cool Temperate – as for Tropics plus aster, celosia, cleome & sunflower
Vegetables to Plant
All Zones –capsicum, choko, cucumber, eggplant, French beans, lettuce, okra, pumpkin, radish, spring onion, tomato & zucchini
Tropical  - rockmelon, rosella, squash, sweet potato & watermelon
Subtropical – as for tropical plus sweet corn
Cool Temperate – beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, celery, onion, parsnip, potato, silver beet, squash & sweet corn  

In Bloom
Gardenia, November lily, port wine magnolia, poinciana, NZ Christmas tree
Flowers to Plant
All Zones – alyssum, amaranthus, celosia, cosmos, marigold, petunia, portulaca, salvia & zinnia
Subtropical  & Cool Temperate – begonia, gomphrena, sunflower, torenia & verbena
Vegetables to Plant
All Zones – capsicum, choko, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, squash, sweet corn, sweet potato, radish, snake beans, tomato, zucchini
Tropical  - okra, pumpkin, rockmelon, rosella, & watermelon
Subtropical - okra, pumpkin, rockmelon, rosella, spring onion, & watermelon
Cool Temperate – beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, onion, parsnip & potato

Plants grow like triffids so expect to spend more time trimming, weeding and mowing.  Heat, humidity, seasonal festivities and holidays can make it difficult to keep on top of things in this season of hectic growth.

Seasonal Tasks
Prune poinsettias, azaleas, camellias, gardenias and trim dead heads from roses.
Look for dead patches in lawns caused by lawn grubs.
Prune fruit trees in the tropics in preparation for the wet season.
Fertilise the entire garden with an organically based fertiliser.
Watch out for caterpillars on citrus, impatiens and white cedar.

In Bloom
Brunfelsia, jacaranda, lilly pilly, racehorse tree (Schizolobium) & sandpaper vine (Petrea)
Flowers to Plant
All Zones – alyssum, cosmos, marigold, petunia, portulaca, salvia & zinnia
Tropical – amaranthus & celosia
Subtropical & Cool Temperate - begonia, celosia, gomphrena, sunflower & torenia
Vegetables to Plant
All Zones - capsicum, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, radish, snake bean, sweet potato, tomato & zucchini
Tropical - choko, okra, rockmelon, rosella & watermelon
Subtropical - choko, okra, pumpkin, rockmelon, rosella, sweet corn & watermelon
Cool Temperate – beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, celery, French bean, onion, potato, pumpkin, silver beet, squash & sweet corn

In Bloom
Allamanda, buckinghamia, frangipani, Rangoon creeper (Quisqualis) & summer crocus
Flowers to Plant
All Zones – alyssum, celosia, cosmos, marigold, petunia, portulaca, salvia & zinnia
Tropical – amaranthus
Subtropical & Cool Temperate - begonia, gomphrena, sunflower & torenia
Vegetables to Plant
All Zones -  capsicum, cucumber, lettuce, radish, tomato & zucchini
Tropical - choko, eggplant, rockmelon, snake bean, sweet potato & watermelon
Subtropical - choko, eggplant, rockmelon, snake bean, sweet corn, sweet potato & watermelon
Cool Temperate – beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, French bean, kohl rabi, onion, parsnip, potato, pumpkin, silver beet, sweet corn, squash & turnip

In Bloom
Bird of paradise, crepe myrtle, daylily, hibiscus & mussaenda
Flowers to Plant
All Zones – alyssum, celosia, cosmos, marigold, petunia, portulaca, salvia & zinnia
Tropical – amaranthus
Subtropical - begonia, celosia, gomphrena, sunflower & torenia
Cool Temperate - celosia, gomphrena, sunflower & torenia
Vegetables to Plant
All Zones -  capsicum, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, radish, sweet corn & zucchini
Tropical & Subtropical – choko, pumpkin, snake beans, squash, sweet potato & tomato
Cool Temperate – Beetroot, broccoli, Brussels sprout, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, French bean, kohl rabi, onion, parsnip & turnip

Cooler temperatures and lower humidity make gardening more pleasant. Just as well - it is a busy season, ideal for establishing new plants and bringing excessive  growth under control. Leaves and prunings make great compost.  

Seasonal Tasks
Fertilise roses, fruit trees and lawns.
Plant sweet peas, strawberry runners, seedlings, bulbs, trees and shrubs.
Trim plants that have become too rampant over summer.
Raise the cutting height of your mower in preparation for winter.
Lift, divide, propagate and replant herbaceous perennials. 

In Bloom
Leopard tree, oleander, ixora, pentas & tibouchina
Flowers to Plant
All Zones – alyssum, marigolds & petunia
Tropical – amaranthus, begonia, celosia, cosmos, dianthus, portulaca, salvia & zinnia
Subtropical - candytuft, cineraria, clarkia, cornflower, nemesia, pansy, phlox, statice, stock & viola
Cool Temperate – as for subtropical areas plus delphinium, godetia, hollyhock, larkspur, linaria, lupin, nigella, poppy, primula, schizanthus, sweet pea & wallflower
Vegetables to Plant
All Zones – carrot, cauliflower, French beans, leeks, lettuce, silver beet, spring onion & radish
Tropical –capsicum, cucumber, eggplant, potatoes, pumpkin, squash, sweet corn, sweet potato, tomatoes & zucchini
Subtropical – capsicum, cucumber, eggplant, potatoes, sweet corn, sweet potato & tomato
Cool Temperate – beetroot, broccoli, broad beans, Brussels sprout, celery, kohl rabi, parsnip & turnip 

In Bloom
Camellia, abutilon, gordonia, golden rain tree (Koelreuteria) & barleria
Flowers to Plant
All Zones – alyssum, marigold & petunia
Tropical – amaranthus, begonia, celosia, cosmos, dianthus, portulaca, salvia & zinnia
Subtropical - calendula, candytuft, cineraria, clarkia, cornflower, dianthus, English daisy, hollyhock, kale, larkspur, lobelia, nemesia, pansy, phlox, poppy, primula, snapdragon, statice, stock, strawflower, sweet pea, sweet William & viola
Cool Temperate – as for subtropical plus delphinium, godetia, linaria,  lupin, nigella, polyanthus, schizanthus & wallflower
Vegetables to Plant
All Zones – beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, lettuce, radish & spring onion
Tropical  - capsicum, cucumber, eggplant, French beans, garlic, kohl rabi, leeks, lettuce, potatoes, pumpkin, silver beet, spring onion, squash, sweet corn, sweet potato, tomato, zucchini
Subtropical - Brussels sprout, capsicum, endive, French beans, garlic, kohl rabi, leeks, onions, potatoes, silver beet, spinach, sweet potato & tomato
Cool Temperate –broad beans, kohl rabi, parsnip, silverbeet & turnip

In Bloom
Barklya, Queensland umbrella, native sarsaparilla (Hardenbergia), snow flake bush, tree daisy (Montanoea)
Flowers to Plant
All Zones - alyssum, marigold & petunia
Tropical - amaranthus, begonia, cosmos, celosia, gomphrena, phlox, portulaca, salvia, sunflower, torenia & zinnia
Subtropical - calendula, candytuft, cineraria, clarkia, cornflower, dianthus, English daisy, hollyhock, kale, larkspur, lobelia, nemesia, pansy, phlox, poppy, primula, snapdragon, statice, stock, strawflower, sweet pea, sweet William & viola
Cool Temperate – as for subtropical plus delphinium, linaria, lupin, nigella, polyanthus, schizanthus, sweet pea & wallflower
Vegetables to Plant
All Zones – broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, carrot, kohl rabi, lettuce, radish, silver beet, spring onion & turnip
Tropical  - beetroot, French beans, garlic, leeks, potatoes, pumpkin, squash, swede, sweet corn, sweet potato & tomato
Subtropical - beetroot, broad beans, Brussels sprout, capsicum, celery, chicory, endive, French beans, garlic, leeks, onions, parsnip, peas, potatoes, spinach, swede, sweet potato& tomato
Cool temperate - Broad beans, celery, lettuce, parsnip, peas & spinach

 Top of Page
© Copyright Annette McFarlane 2007-2013 All Rights Reserved