Australian climate guide

Arid planting calendar

Very low rainfall, strong heat and large day-to-night temperature swings. This broad guide shows useful planting ideas throughout the year; use the postcode finder for a more specific starting point.

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October ideas

What to plant this month

Grow to Eat

BeetrootSow direct • Full sun Spring onionSow direct • Full sun BeansSow direct • Full sun BasilStart in trays • Full sun CucumberSow direct • Full sun CapsicumStart in trays • Full sun PumpkinSow direct • Full sun ZucchiniSow direct • Full sun EggplantStart in trays • Full sun ChilliStart in trays • Full sun Sweet cornSow direct in blocks • Full sun Sweet potatoPlant slips • Full sun WatermelonSow direct • Full sun RosemaryPlant seedlings • Full sun ThymePlant seedlings • Full sun OreganoPlant seedlings • Full sun MintPlant in a container • Part sun LemonPlant a grafted tree • Full sun

Grow for Beauty

SunflowerSow direct • Full sun MarigoldSow or transplant • Full sun ZinniaSow direct • Full sun CosmosSow direct • Full sun PetuniaPlant seedlings • Full sun DahliaPlant tubers • Full sun GladiolusPlant corms • Full sun LavenderPlant seedlings • Full sun HydrangeaPlant a young shrub • Part sun CamelliaPlant a young shrub • Part sun GardeniaPlant a young shrub • Part sun GeraniumPlant cuttings • Full or part sun

Month by month

Explore the whole year

Open any month to browse linked Grow to Eat and Grow for Beauty suggestions for this climate.

January22 broad-calendar options

February55 broad-calendar options

March97 broad-calendar options

April97 broad-calendar options

May97 broad-calendar options

June69 broad-calendar options

July57 broad-calendar options

August63 broad-calendar options

September72 broad-calendar options

October59 broad-calendar options

November31 broad-calendar options

December24 broad-calendar options

Weather, frost, altitude and exact variety can move the best date by several weeks.