What to grow in spring in Australia: Spring planting guide

With spring in full bloom, it’s when our gardens really comes alive. And there are so many delicious fruits, vegetables, flowers and herbs to grow in your at-home garden! To make the most out of your fruit and veggie patch, we share what to grow in spring in Australia with our spring planting guide.

Jump into spring and get active in the garden as we share the best fruits, veggies, herbs and flowers to grow in all different regions across Australia.

Related article: In the garden: Spring gardening guide
Related article: In the garden: How to start a veggie garden

Gardening tips to help get you started

Just as we give our homes a good spring clean, so too should we give our gardens a spruce up. Take note of any garden beds that have seen better days, giving them a good de-weeding. Turn over the soil and add in some extra nutrients for your new plants. A seaweed based solution will help promote growth.

Be sure to stock up on a mulch like sugar cane mulch to go around your new plants to keep them warm and snug. And we have even more spring gardening tips for you here.

The different climate zones of Australia

Australia is a big, beautiful and wildly diverse place. What you can plant in one city or town isn’t necessarily going to grow well in another — even if its in the same state/territory.

But fear not! We have what vegetables to plant now in Australia, no matter where you live, or what you love to eat. Veggies, fruits, flowers and herbs — find our comprehensive guide right here.

Not sure what your climate zone is? Check out this map that highlights the various climate zones, then keep on scrolling to find out what to grow in spring in Australia based on where you live.

Climate zones in Australia

Tropical climate zone

Tropical zone is known for its hot and humid climate, year round. This zone includes the top east coastline of Australia (Mackay, Townsville, Cairns) sweeps across the top end of Australia (Darwin, Katherine) and goes right across to the top end of the WA coastline (Broome and down to Exmouth).

The best things to plant in a tropical zone in spring are:

  • Basil
  • Beans
  • Beetroot
  • Capsicum
  • Carrot
  • Celery
  • Chives
  • Coriander
  • Cucumber
  • Dill
  • Eggplant
  • Garlic
  • Ginger
  • Lettuce
  • Parsley
  • Peas / snow peas
  • Potato
  • Pumpkin
  • Radish
  • Rocket
  • Rockmelon
  • Sunflowers
  • Sweet corn
  • Sweet potato
  • Watermelon
What to plant in spring in Australia - tropical climate
Freshly picked beetroot
Image via @kitchengardenz

Sub-tropical climate zone

For our sub-tropical gardeners, there’s an abundance of fabulous, delicious things you can grown in spring. The sub-tropical regions go from Coffs Harbour, through Brisbane and right up the coast to Rockhampton and Mackay. It also covers the mid-WA coastline.

The best things to plant in a sub-topical zone in spring are:

  • Basil
  • Beans
  • Beetroot
  • Capsicum
  • Carrot
  • Celeriac
  • Celery
  • Chives
  • Coriander
  • Cucumber
  • Eggplant
  • Kale
  • Oregano
  • Potato
  • Pumpkin
  • Radish
  • Rocket
  • Rockmelon
  • Silverbeet
  • Spring onion
  • Sunflowers
  • Sweet corn
  • Tomato
  • Watermelon
  • Zucchini
What to plant in spring in Australia - sub-tropical climate
Freshly picked garden peas
Image via @kitchengardenz

Grasslands climate zone

The grasslands zone includes in-land Australian cities such as Mt Isa, Tennant Creek and stretches across to the WA coastline. It’s a warm region but still an area where there’s plenty to grow in the garden.

The best things to plant in a grassland zone in spring are:

  • Artichoke
  • Asparagus
  • Basil
  • Beans
  • Beetroot
  • Capsicum
  • Carrot
  • Celeriac
  • Celery
  • Chives
  • Coriander
  • Cucumber
  • Eggplant
  • Lettuce
  • Parsnip
  • Potato
  • Pumpkin
  • Rhubarb
  • Rocket
  • Rockmelon
  • Silverbeet
  • Spring onion
  • Tomato
  • Watermelon
  • Zucchini
What to plant in spring in Australia - grasslands zone
nasturtium, lettuce and carrots in garden bed
Image via @saragasbarra

Arid climate zone

Australia’s biggest region is the arid climate zone. An arid climate has hot, dry summers and cool to warm winters. It covers almost all the inland areas across all states.

The best things to plant in an arid zone in spring are:

  • Asparagus
  • Basil
  • Beans
  • Beetroot
  • Capsicum
  • Carrot
  • Celery
  • Chives
  • Coriander
  • Cucumber
  • Eggplant
  • Kale
  • Lettuce
  • Oregano
  • Potato
  • Pumpkin
  • Radish
  • Rocket
  • Rockmelon
  • Shallots
  • Silverbeet
  • Sunflowers
  • Sweet corn
  • Watermelon
  • Zucchini
What to plant in spring in Australia - arid climate zone

Warm temperature climate zone

The warm temperate zone includes the New South Wales tablelands and coastline from Sydney. It travels all the way down to Melbourne, across to Adelaide and Perth. It also includes inland Queensland.

The best things to plant in a warm temperature zone in spring are:

  • Basil
  • Beetroot
  • Broccoli
  • Capsicum
  • Carrot
  • Celery
  • Chives
  • Coriander
  • Cucumber
  • Eggplant
  • Garlic
  • Kale
  • Lettuce
  • Parsley
  • Peas / snow peas
  • Potato
  • Pumpkin
  • Radish
  • Rocket
  • Rockmelon
  • Shallots
  • Silverbeet
  • Tomato
  • Watermelon
  • Zucchini
What to plant in spring in Australia - warm climate zone
Freshly picked spring homegrown vegetables
Image via @mumsnzgarden

Cool temperature climate zone

In the cool temperature zone of Australia, it gets… well… cold! These areas include most of Tasmania, the mountain and inland areas of New South Wales and Victoria as well as the tablelands of the ACT.

The best things to plant in a cool temperature zone in spring are:

  • Asparagus
  • Basil
  • Beetroot
  • Brussel sprouts
  • Celery
  • Celeriac
  • Cabbage
  • Carrot
  • Cauliflower
  • Chives
  • Lettuce
  • Onion
  • Oregano
  • Pak choy / bok choy
  • Parsnip
  • Parsley
  • Peas
  • Radish
  • Spring onion
  • Swiss chard
  • Shallots
  • Turnip
  • Tomato
  • Sweet corn
  • Zucchini
What to plant in spring in Australia - cool climate zone

We hope you found this spring growing guide useful! Growing your own produce and seeing the fruits (or veggies!) of your labour is so rewarding… and delicious! Has this guide of what to grow in spring in Australia inspired you to get out into the garden? And have you decided which spring vegetables to plant?

If you do, we’d love to see — be sure to tag us on Instagram or drop us an email. Or, feel free to share your gardening tips and tricks with us in the comment section below. Happy gardening Lovelies!

More gardening tips and advice

Garden beds in spring
Image via @kitchengardenz

This article was first published in October 2022 and continues to be updated with latest information and images.

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