Prepare for heavy rain
Choose a sunny site that drains freely; raised beds can help where wet-season waterlogging is a risk.
Darwin, NT
What to plant in Darwin in September.
Darwin has broadly tropical conditions: a humid wet season and warm productive dry season. These suggestions are a practical starting point for the month.
Check my exact postcode →27broad choices
Tropicalclimate
Septemberplanting month
Local garden notes
A practical starting point for Darwin
September sits near the end of Darwin's dry season. Plan for the change to hotter, more humid conditions rather than following a southern spring calendar.
Clear old crop material
Remove spent plants and diseased residue so pests and disease have fewer places to carry over.
Review crop timing
Check whether a crop suits the coming wet season, and prioritise heat-tolerant varieties instead of cool-season vegetables.
Local reference: NT Government: vegetable sowing calendar for Darwin and Katherine ↗. Patch’s suggestions are general; check your own forecast and the exact variety.
Your starting list
Planting ideas for September
Grow to Eat
BasilStart in trays • Full sun • 6–10 weeksCucumberSow direct • Full sun • 8–12 weeksEggplantStart in trays • Full sun • 16–22 weeksChilliStart in trays • Full sun • 14–20 weeksSweet cornSow direct in blocks • Full sun • 12–16 weeksSweet potatoPlant slips • Full sun • 18–24 weeksWatermelonSow direct • Full sun • 14–20 weeksOkraSow direct • Full sun • 10–14 weeksChokoPlant a vine • Full sun • Fruit in 16–24 weeksGingerPlant rhizomes • Part sun • 32–40 weeksTurmericPlant rhizomes • Part sun • 32–40 weeksLemongrassPlant divisions • Full sun • Light harvest in 12–16 weeksPassionfruitPlant a vine • Full sun • Fruit in 12–24 months
Grow for Beauty
SunflowerSow direct • Full sun • Flowers in 10–14 weeksMarigoldSow or transplant • Full sun • Flowers in 8–12 weeksZinniaSow direct • Full sun • Flowers in 8–12 weeksCosmosSow direct • Full sun • Flowers in 8–12 weeksPetuniaPlant seedlings • Full sun • Flowers in 8–10 weeksDahliaPlant tubers • Full sun • Flowers in summer–autumnGladiolusPlant corms • Full sun • Flowers in 12–16 weeksBegoniaPlant tubers • Part shade • Flowers in 10–14 weeksImpatiensPlant seedlings • Part shade • Flowers in 8–12 weeksBougainvilleaPlant a vine • Full sun • Flowers in 1–2 seasonsHibiscusPlant a young shrub • Full sun • Flowers in 1–2 seasonsAgapanthusPlant divisions • Full sun • Flowers in 1–2 seasonsBird of paradisePlant divisions • Full or part sun • Flowers after 1–2 yearsColeusPlant seedlings • Part shade • Colour within 6–10 weeks
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.