The transition from summer to autumn is already underway, and it can be tricky knowing which plants grow in autumn depending on your state climate. What grows well in one area of Australia may not suit another. With more seasonal foliage and cooler changes in the weather, it’s time to consider what to grow in autumn! While Each Australian state is categorised into their different climate zones, which can dictate the type of plants and veggies to grow in autumn. Whether you’re in tropical Queensland or slightly cooler weather in New South Wales and Victoria, autumn is a fruitful time to get stuck in thanks to the cooler weather and warm soil from summer.
This planting guide was designed to help you know what to grow in autumn in Australia according to your state climate and what to expect in your gardening maintenance.
Popular for its tourist destination hotspots and holiday getaways, Queensland is known for its tropical and sub-tropical climate, perfect for veggies and plants that thrive in milder and slightly humid weather. This zone includes the South-East Queensland Coastline where most major cities and metropolitan suburbs are located. For Queensland, the best things to plant in a tropical and subtropical autumn garden include beans, broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, watermelon and sunflowers.
Better known for its colder climate, the surrounding areas of the Sydney Suburbs and The Blue Mountains are classified in the cool temperature zone. When considering what to plant in autumn, many assume the cooler months aren’t ideal for gardening. However, a variety of plants thrive in this climate, especially with the help of a shade cloth in case frost arrives early. For cooler climates, early planting measures are important to ensure the seedlings will be stronger and more resilient to extreme cooler temperatures. It’s important to get your autumn garden started before the cold sets in.
For New South Wales in autumn, the best plant options include cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, onions, peas, spinach and turnips.
Locals in the state of Victoria are well aware of the rapid change of seasons in a single day. Often met with unexpected rainfall during autumn, cities like Melbourne have a similar climate to New South Wales with an additional warmer temperature zone. People living in Melbourne require well-nourished soil to sustain extreme climate shifts, especially during the transitional autumn period.
To help with what to plant in autumn, our top best recommendations for mixed temperature zones include beetroot, garlic, broccoli, leeks, lettuce, cauliflower, parsnip, bok choy and cabbage.
Tasmania is the coldest state in Australia since it is the closest to the polar zone. This means planting in Tasmanian autumn is prime time before the colder weather sets in for winter. Similar to the inland areas of New South Wales, Victoria and the tablelands of the ACT, the best tactic for growing plants and veggies in cooler temperature zones is to consider choosing cold-resistant varieties, planting seeds indoors, utilising cold frames, row covers and optimising soil health through mulching and compost. Don’t be put off by the cold, think about what plants to grow in autumn!
For Tasmania, the best things to plant in the cooler autumn months include broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and root vegetables like garlic and carrots, along with flowering plants like pansies, violas, and sweet peas.
Ranging from tropical conditions in the north to sub-tropical grasslands in the south and arid temperatures inland, Western Australia consists of diverse climate zones due to its large land mass. Arid climates consist of low precipitation and higher evaporation rates, while WA’s wide grasslands allow for sufficient rainfall to support grasses.
For Western Australia, the autumn season is a great time to plant seasonal vegetables like leafy greens, root vegetables, and brassicas, as well as some herbs and flowers like sunflowers, pansies, lavender and native flowers like Banksia.
Characterised by predominantly arid and warmer temperatures, autumn in South Australia brings adequate rainfall and plentiful sunshine. With an abundance of milder temperature zones, planting native Australian plants is best adapted to grow in this temperature zone. With sunshine and adequate rainfall to keep the soil moist and healthy, plants have access to an abundance of nutrient-rich soil to grow in.
Suited to the South Australian climate, we highly recommend beetroot, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, kale, lettuce, spinach and native flora like Brachyscome (Australian daisies), Scaevola, and Sturt's Desert Pea.
We hope this guide has given you a better understanding of what plants to grow in autumn that best suit your state's climate. It’s important to learn more about the kinds of plants that will thrive in your home climate so that you can have a healthy, sustainable garden that produces fresh goods all year round.
