Australian seasons run six months out of step with Britain’s, and they start on the first day of the month: summer is December to February, autumn March to May, winter June to August and spring September to November. That much is easy to learn; the harder adjustment for a British gardener is that the calendar is not simply flipped, because most of Australia’s populated areas are warmer, drier and sunnier than anywhere in the UK, and the gardening year changes shape as a result.
Flipping the months is only the start
A first attempt usually involves taking the familiar British routine and adding six months. Sow sweet peas in March instead of September; plant bulbs in April instead of October. As a starting point that works surprisingly often in the cooler south. It breaks down quickly further north, and it ignores the biggest difference of all: in much of Australia, summer is the hard season for plants, not winter.
In the UK, winter is when gardens rest because of cold and short days. In Perth, Adelaide, much of Sydney and the inland, summer heat and drought do the same job. Many plants slow or stop through January and February, and the most productive periods in the vegetable garden are autumn and spring rather than high summer.
Know your climate zone
Australia spans tropical, subtropical, temperate, Mediterranean and arid climates, and the right calendar depends on which one you are in. The Bureau of Meteorology’s climate information lets you look up long-term averages for rainfall, temperature and frost for your nearest weather station, which is far more useful than a national planting chart.
| Broad zone | Examples | What it means for the garden |
|---|---|---|
| Cool temperate | Hobart, Melbourne’s hills, Canberra | Closest to British timings once flipped; real frosts in winter |
| Temperate | Melbourne, Sydney | Long growing seasons, mild winters, hot spells in summer |
| Mediterranean | Perth, Adelaide | Wet winters, long dry summers; autumn and winter are the main growing seasons for many crops |
| Subtropical | Brisbane, northern NSW coast | Humid summers with storms; winter is the easiest time for European vegetables |
| Tropical | Darwin, Cairns | Wet and dry seasons replace the familiar four; the dry season is the main vegetable season |
The season-by-season shape
Autumn (March to May)
For many British arrivals, autumn becomes the busiest time. Soil is still warm, the heat has eased, and the first rains in southern regions bring things back to life. It is a good time to plant trees and shrubs so they establish roots before the next summer, and to sow brassicas, broad beans, peas and many herbs.
Winter (June to August)
Away from frost-prone areas, winter is a mild growing season. Lettuce, spinach, onions and garlic do well, and roses are pruned much as they would be in the UK, just in July rather than February. In the subtropics, winter is the time for the vegetables that struggle in humid summers.
Spring (September to November)
Spring is when tomatoes, beans, cucumbers and zucchini (courgettes, as you know them) go in across most of the south. It is also the time to feed lawns and apply mulch ahead of the heat.
Summer (December to February)
Summer is mostly about keeping things alive. Mulch heavily, water deeply in the early morning, provide shade cloth for vulnerable plants and accept that some things will pause until March. Christmas is often spent picking tomatoes rather than reading seed catalogues by the fire.
Water, soil and a changing climate
Water is the constraint British gardeners underestimate most. Many cities have permanent water-efficiency rules, and restrictions can tighten in dry years. Our guide to water restrictions and rainwater tanks explains how they work and how a tank can extend what you can grow.
Soils vary as much as climate: deep sand in Perth, heavy clay in parts of Sydney and Melbourne, and generally lower organic matter than an established British garden. Adding compost and mulch every year helps almost everywhere. Conditions are also shifting. CSIRO publishes research on Australia’s changing climate, including warmer temperatures and changing rainfall patterns, which is worth reading before planning a long-lived garden or orchard.
Questions readers ask
Can I grow the same plants I grew in England?
Many will grow in the cooler south, especially in Tasmania and the Victorian hills. Further north, plants that need a cold winter, such as some apples, rhubarb and tulips, can struggle or need special varieties.
When should I plant spring bulbs?
In cooler southern areas, plant them in autumn, around March to May. In warm climates, some bulbs such as tulips need chilling in the fridge before planting or are treated as annuals.
Can I bring my seed collection with me?
Australia’s biosecurity rules are strict about seeds and plant material. Many seeds are restricted or prohibited, so check the import conditions before packing any.