Australian Grow Zones and Monthly Planting Recommendations
Australian Grow Zones by Postcode
Zone 1: Tropical
- Postcodes: 0800-0899, 4870-4899
- Regions: Northern Queensland, Northern Territory
- Climate: Hot and humid year-round, with distinct wet and dry seasons.
Zone 2: Subtropical
- Postcodes: 4000-4679, 2000-2599
- Regions: Southeast Queensland (Brisbane, Gold Coast), Coastal New South Wales (Sydney, Central Coast)
- Climate: Warm, humid summers and mild winters.
Zone 3: Temperate
- Postcodes: 3000-3999, 2600-2999, 5000-5799, 7000-7999
- Regions: Victoria (Melbourne), Inland NSW (Canberra), South Australia (Adelaide), Tasmania
- Climate: Four distinct seasons with cool winters and warm summers.
Zone 4: Mediterranean
- Postcodes: 5000-5799, 6000-6799
- Regions: South Australia (Adelaide), Coastal Western Australia (Perth)
- Climate: Hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
Zone 5: Semi-Arid
- Postcodes: 0870-0999, 5700-5799, 6700-6799
- Regions: Inland Western Australia, Central Australia, parts of South Australia
- Climate: Hot, dry conditions with minimal rainfall.
Zone 6: Arid
- Postcodes: 0870-0999, 6700-6799
- Regions: Central Australia, parts of South Australia
- Climate: Extreme temperatures, very dry, minimal rainfall.
Zone 7: Alpine
- Postcodes: 2620-2639, 3700-3799
- Regions: Australian Alps, higher elevations in Victoria and New South Wales
- Climate: Cold winters with snow, cool summers.
Summary of Grow Zones by Postcode:
- Zone 1: 0800-0899, 4870-4899 (Tropical)
- Zone 2: 4000-4679, 2000-2599 (Subtropical)
- Zone 3: 3000-3999, 2600-2999, 5000-5799, 7000-7999 (Temperate)
- Zone 4: 5000-5799, 6000-6799 (Mediterranean)
- Zone 5: 0870-0999, 5700-5799, 6700-6799 (Semi-Arid)
- Zone 6: 0870-0999, 6700-6799 (Arid)
- Zone 7: 2620-2639, 3700-3799 (Alpine)
| State/Territory | Grow Zone Number | Postcodes | Variety | Best Planting Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QLD | Zone 1 | 4000-4679 | Brassica |
Seeds: Mar-Aug Seedlings: Apr-Sep |
| QLD | Zone 1 | 4000-4679 | Leafy Greens |
Seeds: Feb-May Seedlings: Mar-Jul |
| QLD | Zone 1 | Tomatoes |
Seeds: Aug-Dec Seedlings: Sep-Feb |
|
| QLD | Zone 1 | Chillies |
Seeds: Aug-Dec Seedlings: Sep-Feb |
|
| QLD | Zone 1 | Corn |
Seeds: Aug-Jan Seedlings: Sep-Feb |
|
| QLD | Zone 1 | Fruiting Vegetables |
Seeds: Aug-Jan Seedlings: Sep-Feb |
|
| NSW | Zone 2 | 2000-2599 | Brassica |
Seeds: Feb-Jul Seedlings: Mar-Aug |
| NSW | Zone 2 | Leafy Greens |
Seeds: Feb-Jun Seedlings: Mar-Jul |
|
| NSW | Zone 2 | Tomatoes |
Seeds: Aug-Dec Seedlings: Sep-Feb |
|
| NSW | Zone 2 | Chillies |
Seeds: Aug-Dec Seedlings: Sep-Feb |
|
| NSW | Zone 2 | Corn |
Seeds: Sep-Jan Seedlings: Oct-Feb |
|
| NSW | Zone 2 | Fruiting Vegetables |
Seeds: Sep-Jan Seedlings: Oct-Feb |
|
| VIC | Zone 3 | 3000-3999 | Brassica |
Seeds: Mar-Jul Seedlings: Apr-Aug |
| VIC | Zone 3 | Leafy Greens |
Seeds: Mar-Jun Seedlings: Apr-Aug |
|
| VIC | Zone 3 | Tomatoes |
Seeds: Aug-Dec Seedlings: Sep-Jan |
|
| VIC | Zone 3 | Chillies |
Seeds: Aug-Dec Seedlings: Sep-Jan |
|
| VIC | Zone 3 | Corn |
Seeds: Sep-Dec Seedlings: Oct-Jan |
|
| VIC | Zone 3 | Fruiting Vegetables |
Seeds: Sep-Dec Seedlings: Oct-Jan |
|
| SA | Zone 4 | 5000-5799 | Brassica |
Seeds: Mar-Jul Seedlings: Apr-Aug |
| SA | Zone 4 | Leafy Greens |
Seeds: Mar-Jun Seedlings: Apr-Aug |
|
| SA | Zone 4 | Tomatoes |
Seeds: Aug-Dec Seedlings: Sep-Jan |
|
| SA | Zone 4 | Chillies |
Seeds: Aug-Dec Seedlings: Sep-Jan |
|
| SA | Zone 4 | Corn |
Seeds: Sep-Dec Seedlings: Oct-Jan |
|
| SA | Zone 4 | Fruiting Vegetables |
Seeds: Sep-Dec Seedlings: Oct-Jan |
|
| WA | Zone 5 | 6000-6799 | Brassica |
Seeds: Mar-Jul Seedlings: Apr-Aug |
| WA | Zone 5 | Leafy Greens |
Seeds: Mar-Jun Seedlings: Apr-Aug |
|
| WA | Zone 5 | Tomatoes |
Seeds: Aug-Dec Seedlings: Sep-Jan |
|
| WA | Zone 5 | Chillies |
Seeds: Aug-Dec Seedlings: Sep-Jan |
|
| WA | Zone 5 | Corn |
Seeds: Sep-Dec Seedlings: Oct-Jan |
|
| WA | Zone 5 | Fruiting Vegetables |
Seeds: Sep-Dec Seedlings: Oct-Jan |
|
| TAS | Zone 6 | 7000-7999 | Brassica |
Seeds: Feb-May Seedlings: Mar-Jun |
| TAS | Zone 6 | Leafy Greens |
Seeds: Feb-May Seedlings: Mar-Jun |
|
| TAS | Zone 6 | Tomatoes |
Seeds: Sep-Dec Seedlings: Oct-Jan |
|
| TAS | Zone 6 | Chillies |
Seeds: Sep-Dec Seedlings: Oct-Jan |
|
| TAS | Zone 6 | Corn |
Seeds: Sep-Dec Seedlings: Oct-Jan |
|
| TAS | Zone 6 | Fruiting Vegetables |
Seeds: Sep-Dec Seedlings: Oct-Jan |
|
| NT | Zone 7 | 0800-0899 | Brassica |
Seeds: Feb-Jul Seedlings: Mar-Aug |
| NT | Zone 7 | Leafy Greens |
Seeds: Feb-Jun Seedlings: Mar-Jul |
|
| NT | Zone 7 | Tomatoes |
Seeds: Aug-Dec Seedlings: Sep-Feb |
|
| NT | Zone 7 | Chillies |
Seeds: Aug-Dec Seedlings: Sep-Feb |
|
| NT | Zone 7 | Corn |
Seeds: Sep-Jan Seedlings: Oct-Feb |
|
| NT | Zone 7 | Fruiting Vegetables |
Seeds: Sep-Jan Seedlings: Oct-Feb |
Planting Recommendations by Vegetable Type
1. Root, Bulb, and Tuberous Vegetables
- Examples: Carrots, Onions, Potatoes, Garlic, Beets
-
Best Planting Times:
- QLD: Feb-Apr (Seeds), Mar-Jun (Seedlings)
- NSW: Mar-May (Seeds), Apr-Jul (Seedlings)
- VIC: Mar-Jun (Seeds), Apr-Jul (Seedlings)
- SA: Mar-May (Seeds), Apr-Jun (Seedlings)
- WA: Mar-May (Seeds), Apr-Jun (Seedlings)
- TAS: Feb-May (Seeds), Mar-Jun (Seedlings)
- NT: Feb-Apr (Seeds), Mar-May (Seedlings)
2. Fruit and Seed Vegetables
- Examples: Tomatoes, Peas, Beans, Pumpkins, Cucumbers
-
Best Planting Times:
- QLD: Aug-Dec (Seeds), Sep-Feb (Seedlings)
- NSW: Sep-Dec (Seeds), Oct-Feb (Seedlings)
- VIC: Sep-Dec (Seeds), Oct-Jan (Seedlings)
- SA: Sep-Dec (Seeds), Oct-Jan (Seedlings)
- WA: Sep-Dec (Seeds), Oct-Jan (Seedlings)
- TAS: Sep-Dec (Seeds), Oct-Jan (Seedlings)
- NT: Sep-Jan (Seeds), Oct-Feb (Seedlings)
3. Flower and Bud Vegetables
- Examples: Broccoli, Cauliflower, Artichokes
-
Best Planting Times:
- QLD: Mar-Aug (Seeds), Apr-Sep (Seedlings)
- NSW: Mar-Jul (Seeds), Apr-Aug (Seedlings)
- VIC: Mar-Jul (Seeds), Apr-Aug (Seedlings)
- SA: Mar-Jul (Seeds), Apr-Aug (Seedlings)
- WA: Mar-Jul (Seeds), Apr-Aug (Seedlings)
- TAS: Feb-May (Seeds), Mar-Jun (Seedlings)
- NT: Feb-Jul (Seeds), Mar-Aug (Seedlings)
4. Leaf and Stem Vegetables
- Examples: Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Celery
-
Best Planting Times:
- QLD: Feb-May (Seeds), Mar-Jul (Seedlings)
- NSW: Feb-Jun (Seeds), Mar-Jul (Seedlings)
- VIC: Mar-Jun (Seeds), Apr-Aug (Seedlings)
- SA: Mar-Jun (Seeds), Apr-Aug (Seedlings)
- WA: Mar-Jun (Seeds), Apr-Aug (Seedlings)
- TAS: Feb-May (Seeds), Mar-Jun (Seedlings)
- NT: Feb-Jun (Seeds), Mar-Jul (Seedlings)
Key Points:
- Root, Bulb, and Tuberous Vegetables: Prefer cooler planting times; best planted in late summer to autumn.
- Fruit and Seed Vegetables: Typically planted in spring and summer for harvesting in late summer to autumn.
- Flower and Bud Vegetables: Best grown in cooler months to prevent bolting and ensure full bud development.
- Leaf and Stem Vegetables: Generally grow best in cooler weather, avoiding the peak of summer to prevent bolting.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the best planting times for various vegetable types across all Australian states and territories, ensuring optimal growth for both seeds and seedlings.