PPatch

Melbourne, VIC

What to plant in Melbourne in August.

Melbourne has broadly cool temperate conditions: changeable weather, cool winters and occasional late frost. These suggestions are a practical starting point for the month.

Check my exact postcode →
63broad choices
Cool temperateclimate
Augustplanting month

This is a broad climate-calendar list, not a hand-reviewed city guide. Check your exact postcode and local forecast before planting.

Your starting list

Planting ideas for August

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 weeksBroccoliStart in trays • Full sun • 12–16 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 weeksPotatoPlant seed potatoes • Full sun • 14–20 weeksCabbageStart in trays • Full sun • 12–20 weeksBok choySow or transplant • Part sun • 6–9 weeksLeekStart in trays • Full sun • 20–30 weeksBrown onionSow or transplant • Full sun • 20–28 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 weeksStrawberryPlant runners • Full sun • Fruit in 12–20 weeksBlueberryPlant a young shrub • Part sun • Fruit in 1–2 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 yearGrapevinePlant a vine • Full sun • Fruit in 2–3 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 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 weeksRosePlant a bare-root tree • Full sun • Flowers in the first seasonFoxgloveSow 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 seasonsLobeliaPlant seedlings • Part sun • Flowers in 8–12 weeksMagnoliaPlant a young shrub • Full or part sun • Establishes in 1–2 yearsRhododendronPlant a young shrub • Part shade • Flowers in 1–2 seasons

Before you plant

A quick August garden check

  1. Check the forecast.Delay tender planting during frost, heatwaves, waterlogged weather or damaging wind.
  2. Prepare the soil.Remove weeds, check drainage and add mature compost where the plant benefits from it.
  3. Read the label.Exact varieties can need different depth, spacing, pollination or pruning.
  4. Water the root zone.Water new plants thoroughly and keep moisture consistent while roots establish.

More Australian city guides

Sydney→Brisbane→Perth→Adelaide→Hobart→Darwin→Canberra→Newcastle→