Hello spring! What to plant in September in Australia

September is a sweet spot for planting and one of the best times to get in the garden and love your outdoors!

Here in Australia, it marks the start of spring, when gardens wake up after winter and come alive again.

Longer days, seasonal rains, warmer temps and sun-warmed soil create the perfect conditions for seeds to germinate, plants to sprout, vegies to flourish and flowers to bloom. It also gives them a chance to root down and settle in before the heat and dry spells of summer arrive. 

This handy Jack guide will help you get your spring garden growing, with advice on what to plant in your part of Aus – and how to give new growth a hand.

Before you start spring planting, hold your hoses! First, you need to make sure your garden is ready for your plants to thrive by doing some practical garden prep. 

Here’s a handy checklist to tick off as you go:

• Pluck weeds and tidy beds – Weeds fight for water and nutrients; floor debris like dead leaves can host pesky pests, and overgrown branches can block light. 
• Refresh and test your soil – Gently fork or dig beds to break up lumps and add air into the dirt, work in compost to increase fertility and moisture retention, then use a simple pH/nutrient test kit to check your soil.
• Do a drainage and water flow check – Hose to see where water pools, add coarse organic material into heavy clay or compacted spots, clear paths and drains and check your potholes aren’t blocked by roots. 
• Get raised beds ready to roll – Remove any old plants and weeds, top up your soil with quality garden mix, add compost for nutrients and mulch any bare soil to keep in moisture – just pull it back when planting.
• Pop in supports and irrigation – Install trellis, stakes and panels where you want to grow climbing plants and vegies. If you already have some, check and repair anything that’s broken. Then lay a soaker hose with a timer. 
• Sort out plant protection – Sun, wind and pests can do a lot of damage to newly planted spring gardens. Don’t let them! Grab Plant Covers, Plant Tunnels and natural repellents like an Ultrasonic Animal Repeller.

Handy Jack tip!

Most plants love soil pH 6–7. Lift acidic soil with lime or dolomite, and tame alkaline soil with lots of compost and a touch of sulphur.

Explore categories: 

Vegie Trainers

Plant Trainers

Plant Growing & Protection

Plant Protection 

If you’ve been keen to grow an edible garden, spring will fill your plate! Here are our top picks for this time of year – depending on your Aussie climate: 

Cool and temperate – Melbourne, Tasmania, Canberra, southern NSW, Adelaide

Warm and subtropical – Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, northern NSW, southeast QLD

Tropical – Darwin, Cairns, Townsville, North QLD, NT, northern WA

Hot and dry/arid – Alice Springs, Broken Hill, inland NSW, SA, WA, QLD, outback

Cool and temperate

• Tomatoes
• Capsicum 
• Eggplant
• Beans
• Peas
• Cucumbers
• Zucchini
• Pumpkin
• Carrots
• Beetroot
• Silverbeet
• Lettuce
• Spring onions
• Seed potatoes

Warm and subtropical

• Corn
• Carrots
• Beetroot
• Lettuce
• Basi
• Rocket
• Beans
• Spring onions
• Eggplant
• Chilli
• Capsicum
• Zucchini
• Cucumber 

Tropical

• Beans (bush and climbing)
• Capsicum and chilli
• Eggplant
• Okra
• Pumpkin, squash and zucchini
• Cucumber
• Tomato (heat-tolerant varieties)
• Sweetcorn
• Sweet potato
• Asian greens (bok choy, pak choi, Chinese cabbage)
• Carrot, beetroot, spring onion
• Ginger, turmeric, rosella

Hot and dry/arid

• Beans (bush and climbing)
• Capsicum, chilli and eggplant
• Pumpkin, squash, zucchini and melons
• Tomato
• Sweet corn
• Okra
• Beetroot, carrot, radish, turnip
• Silverbeet, kale, rocket, lettuce (with mulch and some shade)
• Spring onion, onion, pak choi, bok choy
• Sweet potato

Many herbs are pretty easy-going and will grow across different parts of Aus in spring. But some herbs prefer certain climates. Here are a few tips to help you pick the right ones so they really bush up! 

• Cool and temperate – Best for classic Mediterranean herbs (rosemary, thyme, sage, lavender) and cool-season herbs (coriander, dill, parsley). Some heat-lovers (basil, lemongrass) are more seasonal and do best after the last frost and through summer.
• Warm and subtropical – You can grow almost all the standard herbs year-round, plus more tropical-leaning ones like lemongrass, chilli and kaffir lime. Coriander and dill are better in cooler months, so they don’t bolt
• Tropical – Herbs that love heat and humidity are the pick (basil, chilli, lemongrass, turmeric, ginger, laksa leaf). Cool-season herbs like coriander and dill are mostly dry-season crops. Mediterranean woody herbs can struggle in constant humidity unless drainage is excellent.
• Hot and dry/arid – Drought-tolerant Mediterranean herbs (rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage, lavender) do really well. Soft, moisture-loving herbs (mint, coriander, parsley) need shade, mulch, and regular water, often in pots.

Handy Jack tip!

One of the best things about herbs is that they’re bite-sized – they don’t need much space to grow. This means they’re perfect spring growers for Pots & Planters on balconies and decks. Check out our Garden Up® Rail Herb Planter!

Keen to plant something sweet? There are heaps of fruits you can start growing in the first month of spring to become fresh, healthy breakfasts and snacks once harvested. 

Who doesn’t love strawberries plucked straight from the plant or apples picked fresh from your own fruit tree? Chomp, chomp!

Cool and temperate

• Apples 
• Pears 
• Cherries 
• Peaches and nectarines 
• Strawberries 
• Blueberries 
• Grapes 
• Citrus (cold-tolerant varieties) 

Warm and subtropical

• Lemons and limes 
• Mandarins 
• Passionfruit 
• Bananas 
• Strawberries 
• Grapes 
• Peaches and nectarines (lower-chill varieties) 
• Mangoes (warmer areas) 

Tropical

• Mangoes 
• Bananas 
• Pawpaw 
• Pineapple 
• Passionfruit 
• Tropical citrus 
• Dragon fruit 
• Avocado (suitable varieties) 

Hot and dry/arid

• Citrus 
• Figs 
• Grapes 
• Pomegranates 
• Apricots (where winter chill allows) 
• Peaches and nectarines (suitable varieties) 
• Strawberries (with extra water and protection)

Flowers don’t just brighten up your backyard; they’re a welcome mat for bees, butterflies and other useful garden visitors. Pick pollinator-friendly spring blooms that love your climate and enjoy a garden buzzing with life and colour!

Cool and temperate

• Daisies (including everlasting)
• Lavender
• Marigolds
• Snapdragons
• Pansies and violas
• Foxgloves
• Dahlias
• Geraniums

Warm and subtropical

• Alyssum
• Dahlia
• Marigolds
• Nasturtium
• Salvia
• Snapdragon
• Sunflower
• Zinnia

Tropical

• Zinnias 
• Sunflowers 
• Salvias (heat-tolerant varieties) 
• Marigolds 
• Pentas 
• Vinca/periwinkle 
• Celosia 
• Gomphrena 
• Mexican sunflower (Tithonia)

Hot and dry/arid

• Alyssum
• Billy buttons
• Californian poppy
• Marigold
• Salvia
• Snapdragon
• Sunflower
• Zinnia

Handy Jack tip!

A flourishing September garden isn’t just about what you plant; it’s about where you plant it. Pair vegies, herbs, fruit and blooms with the right companions to create a garden that works in harmony. Dig into our companion planting guide.

Raised garden beds, pots and containers are a great way to make the most of spring’s growing season. 

They warm up faster than in-ground soil, have better drainage and give you more control over your growing conditions. This makes them ideal for sowing seeds, seedlings, herbs and vegies – even in smaller outdoor spaces, such as balconies! 

Here are some spring planting picks – just keep your climate in mind: 

• Leafy greens – Lettuce, spinach, rocket, kale, silverbeet
• Herbs – Basil, parsley, coriander, thyme, oregano, rosemary, mint (best in Pots & Planters)
• Root crops – Carrots, radishes, beetroot, turnips
• Compact vegies – Bush beans, peas (with support like Vegie Trainers and Plant Trainers), capsicum, chilli, eggplant, strawberries
• Climbing crops – Cucumbers, tomatoes, climbing beans, peas, passionfruit
• Fruit – Strawberries, blueberries, passionfruit (with support)
  Flowers – Marigolds, nasturtiums, calendula, zinnias, alyssum

Handy Jack tip! 

Think about how your plants will grow and give each one what it needs. Place taller plants where they won’t shade smaller crops, leave room for spreading plants, add supports early for tall plants and climbers and group plants with similar watering needs together.

Explore categories:

Raised Garden Beds

Pots & Planters

Now you know what to grow, let’s talk about giving your new seedlings the best start. Young plants are full of potential, but they can be a little vulnerable while they’re getting established.

Keep pesky pests at bay

Birds, insects and curious pets can quickly undo your hard work. Mesh, netting and protective covers can help keep hungry visitors away while your seedlings grow strong.

Sheid plants from the elements

Spring weather can be a mixed bag, from bitey mornings and late frosts to gusty winds and hot sunny days. Plant covers, plant tunnels and shade solutions can help protect delicate plants from the elements while they find their feet. 

Explore: Plant Protection 

What vegetables can I plant in September in Australia?

September is a sweet time to get your vegie patch growing, but the best picks depend on where you live. Cool-clime vegetable gardens can get started with peas, lettuce and carrots, while warmer areas can plant heat lovers like beans, chilli, capsicum and tomatoes. 

Can I plant tomatoes in a vegetable garden in September?

You sure can! September is tomato planting time in many parts of Aus, especially once the risk of frost has passed. Toms love warm soil, lots of sunshine and a little support as they grow. Add stakes or Vegie Trainers early, keep them watered, and you’ll be on your way to homegrown balls of goodness. 

What herbs grow well in September?

Basil, parsley, coriander, thyme, oregano and rosemary are all popular choices in spring, but the best options depend on your climate. Plant sun-loving Mediterranean herbs in well-drained spots and give thirsty herbs like mint their own space (trust us, it likes to spread!).

Can I plant fruit trees in September?

Yep! Spring is a great time to add fruit trees to your garden. Citrus, berries, passionfruit and other warm-season favourites can settle in and start growing as the weather warms up. Pick varieties that suit your climate, give them room to grow and keep them well watered while they establish.

What can I plant in a raised garden bed in September?

Raised beds are spring-growing winners because they warm up quickly, drain well and give you more control over your soil. Try leafy greens, herbs, carrots, beans, strawberries, tomatoes and climbing crops with the right support. Just remember to match your plants to your climate and give them room to grow.

What can I grow in pots in September?

You don’t need a huge yard to grow your own goodies. Pots and planters are perfect for herbs, salad greens, strawberries, chillies, capsicums, flowers and even compact tomato varieties. Choose a sunny spot, use a quality potting mix and pick containers with enough room for roots to grow.

How do I protect seedlings in spring?

Young seedlings are full of potential, but they’re also a favourite snack for some garden visitors. Protect them from birds, insects, pets and unpredictable spring weather with mesh, covers, tunnels and shade solutions – explore Plant Protection. 

How do I care for my spring garden after planting?

Once your spring garden is planted, some regular TLC will keep everything happy. Water seedlings regularly while they establish, then water deeply as the soil starts to dry out. Top up your sugar cane or straw mulch to hold moisture, pull weeds, feed plants as they grow, train climbers onto plant supports and keep an eye out for

From raised beds to supporting climbing plants and protecting young seedlings, Jack has the products to help your early spring garden get growing. Once you’ve picked your products, head to your local Jack supplier to grab them. 

Proud of your September planting efforts? Why not share some snaps on socials, tagging @meetdiyjack? We’d love to see how you’re loving your outdoors this spring, and might even give you a shout-out!

After some more spring gardening inspiration? 

Check out these other helpful resources:

Get ready for spring with a garden clean-up

Sow, grow, harvest! Top vegetables to plant in spring

Spring gardening projects to lift your garden – and your spirits

7 spring gardening tips to prep, plant and bloom your backyard