Check frost tolerance
Keep warm-season seedlings protected until your local overnight conditions suit them. A low-lying garden may cool faster than a sheltered courtyard.
Canberra, ACT
What to plant in Canberra in September.
Canberra has broadly cool temperate conditions: hot dry summers, cold winters and regular frost. These suggestions are a practical starting point for the month.
Check my exact postcode →104broad choices
Cool temperateclimate
Septemberplanting month
Local garden notes
A practical starting point for Canberra
Canberra's September sunshine can be followed by frost. Choose plants for the site's exposure, not just its postcode, and give tender summer crops a sheltered start.
Choose plants for the position
Use the ACT Plant Selector to compare sun, shade, frost and water needs before buying a new tree or ornamental.
Prepare for summer
Plan shade and deep watering access now; young trees and shrubs need thoughtful establishment through Canberra's warmer months.
Local reference: ACT Government: trees and plants ↗. Patch’s suggestions are general; check your own forecast and the exact variety.
Your starting list
Planting ideas for September
Grow to Eat
CarrotSow direct • Full sun • 10–16 weeksSpinachSow direct • Part sun • 6–8 weeksTomatoStart in trays • Full sun • 12–16 weeksLettuceSow or transplant • Part sun • 6–10 weeksBeetrootSow direct • Full sun • 8–12 weeksRadishSow direct • Full sun • 4–7 weeksPeasSow direct • Full sun • 10–14 weeksSilverbeetSow or transplant • Full sun • 8–12 weeksCorianderSow direct • Part sun • 6–8 weeksSpring onionSow direct • Full sun • 8–12 weeksKaleSow or transplant • Full sun • 8–12 weeksCapsicumStart in trays • Full sun • 14–20 weeksPotatoPlant seed potatoes • Full sun • 14–20 weeksEggplantStart in trays • Full sun • 16–22 weeksChilliStart in trays • Full sun • 14–20 weeksBok choySow or transplant • Part sun • 6–9 weeksLeekStart in trays • Full sun • 20–30 weeksParsleySow or transplant • Part sun • 10–14 weeksDillSow direct • Full sun • 8–12 weeksTurnipSow direct • Full sun • 7–11 weeksCeleryStart in trays • Part sun • 16–22 weeksSnow peasSow direct • Full sun • 8–12 weeksRosemaryPlant seedlings • Full sun • Light harvest in 8–12 weeksThymePlant seedlings • Full sun • Light harvest in 8–12 weeksOreganoPlant seedlings • Full sun • Light harvest in 8–12 weeksMintPlant in a container • Part sun • Light harvest in 6–8 weeksStrawberryPlant runners • Full sun • Fruit in 12–20 weeksBlueberryPlant a young shrub • Part sun • Fruit in 1–2 yearsLemonPlant a grafted tree • Full sun • Fruit in 2–3 yearsOrangePlant a grafted tree • Full sun • Fruit in 2–3 yearsApplePlant a bare-root tree • Full sun • Fruit in 2–4 yearsPeachPlant a bare-root tree • Full sun • Fruit in 2–4 yearsAsparagusPlant crowns • Full sun • Light harvest after 2 yearsArtichokePlant seedlings • Full sun • Heads in 24–36 weeksRocketSow direct • Part sun • 4–7 weeksEndiveSow or transplant • Part sun • 8–12 weeksMustard greensSow direct • Full or part sun • 6–10 weeksMizunaSow direct • Part sun • 5–8 weeksTatsoiSow direct • Part sun • 6–9 weeksKohlrabiSow or transplant • Full sun • 8–12 weeksBrussels sproutsStart in trays • Full sun • 20–30 weeksFennelSow direct • Full sun • 12–16 weeksRhubarbPlant crowns • Full or part sun • Light harvest after one yearChivesPlant divisions • Full or part sun • Light harvest in 8–12 weeksSagePlant seedlings • Full sun • Light harvest in 10–14 weeksTarragonPlant divisions • Full sun • Light harvest in 10–14 weeksGrapevinePlant a vine • Full sun • Fruit in 2–3 yearsFigPlant a grafted tree • Full sun • Fruit in 1–2 yearsPearPlant a bare-root tree • Full sun • Fruit in 2–4 yearsPlumPlant a bare-root tree • Full sun • Fruit in 2–4 yearsCherryPlant a bare-root tree • Full sun • Fruit in 2–4 yearsApricotPlant a bare-root tree • Full sun • Fruit in 2–4 yearsRaspberryPlant runners • Full or part sun • Fruit in 1–2 seasonsBlackberryPlant runners • Full sun • Fruit in 1–2 seasonsGooseberryPlant a young shrub • Full or part sun • Fruit in 1–2 yearsPomegranatePlant a grafted tree • Full sun • Fruit in 2–3 yearsOlivePlant a grafted tree • Full sun • Fruit in 3–5 yearsMacadamiaPlant a grafted tree • Full sun • Nuts in 4–6 yearsAlmondPlant a bare-root tree • Full sun • Nuts in 3–5 years
Grow for Beauty
NasturtiumSow direct • Full or part sun • Flowers in 8–12 weeksSweet peaSow direct • Full sun • Flowers in 12–16 weeksPansyPlant seedlings • Part sun • Flowers in 6–10 weeksCalendulaSow direct • Full sun • Flowers in 8–12 weeksAlyssumSow or transplant • Full or part sun • Flowers in 6–10 weeksSnapdragonPlant seedlings • Full sun • Flowers in 10–14 weeksStockPlant seedlings • Full sun • Flowers in 10–14 weeksViolaPlant seedlings • Part sun • Flowers in 6–10 weeksDahliaPlant tubers • Full sun • Flowers in summer–autumnGladiolusPlant corms • Full sun • Flowers in 12–16 weeksLavenderPlant seedlings • Full sun • Establishes in 1–2 seasonsKangaroo pawPlant tubestock • Full sun • Establishes in 1–2 seasonsPaper daisySow or plant seedlings • Full sun • Flowers in 10–16 weeksGrevilleaPlant tubestock • Full or part sun • Establishes in 1–2 yearsBanksiaPlant tubestock • Full sun • Establishes in 1–2 yearsBottlebrushPlant tubestock • Full sun • Establishes in 1–2 yearsWattlePlant tubestock • Full sun • Establishes in 1–2 yearsNative violetPlant groundcover • Part shade • Spreads within one seasonLilly pillyPlant tubestock • Full or part sun • Establishes in 1–2 yearsRosePlant a bare-root tree • Full sun • Flowers in the first seasonHydrangeaPlant a young shrub • Part sun • Flowers in 1–2 seasonsCamelliaPlant a young shrub • Part sun • Establishes in 1–2 yearsGardeniaPlant a young shrub • Part sun • Flowers in 1–2 seasonsGeraniumPlant cuttings • Full or part sun • Flowers in 10–16 weeksSalviaPlant seedlings • Full sun • Flowers in 10–14 weeksFoxgloveSow or transplant • Part sun • Flowers in the next cool seasonDelphiniumPlant seedlings • Full sun • Flowers in spring–summerCornflowerSow direct • Full sun • Flowers in 10–14 weeksPoppySow direct • Full sun • Flowers in 12–16 weeksPeonyPlant a bare-root tree • Full sun • Flowers after 1–2 seasonsChrysanthemumPlant cuttings • Full sun • Flowers in autumnAsterPlant seedlings • Full sun • Flowers in late summer–autumnConeflowerPlant seedlings • Full sun • Flowers in summerGauraPlant seedlings • Full sun • Flowers through warm monthsVerbenaPlant seedlings • Full sun • Flowers in 8–12 weeksLobeliaPlant seedlings • Part sun • Flowers in 8–12 weeksBegoniaPlant tubers • Part shade • Flowers in 10–14 weeksFuchsiaPlant a young shrub • Part shade • Flowers in 1–2 seasonsJasminePlant a vine • Full or part sun • Flowers in 1–2 seasonsMagnoliaPlant a young shrub • Full or part sun • Establishes in 1–2 yearsAzaleaPlant a young shrub • Part shade • Flowers in 1–2 seasonsRhododendronPlant a young shrub • Part shade • Flowers in 1–2 seasonsAgapanthusPlant divisions • Full sun • Flowers in 1–2 seasonsLomandraPlant tubestock • Full or part sun • Establishes within one seasonCorreaPlant tubestock • Full or part sun • Establishes in 1–2 seasons
Before you plant
A quick September garden check
- Check the forecast.Delay tender planting during frost, heatwaves, waterlogged weather or damaging wind.
- Prepare the soil.Remove weeds, check drainage and add mature compost where the plant benefits from it.
- Read the label.Exact varieties can need different depth, spacing, pollination or pruning.
- Water the root zone.Water new plants thoroughly and keep moisture consistent while roots establish.