Watch late frost
Check the local overnight forecast before setting out tomato, capsicum or other tender seedlings, particularly in exposed or inland pockets.
Melbourne, VIC
What to plant in Melbourne in September.
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 →104broad choices
Cool temperateclimate
Septemberplanting month
Local garden notes
A practical starting point for Melbourne
Melbourne's first warm afternoons do not mean the last cold night has passed. Use September to prepare summer beds while keeping frost-sensitive transplants movable or protected.
Start under cover
A bright, sheltered seed tray can get summer crops moving while outdoor soil is still cool. Harden seedlings off before transplanting.
Use a hardy first bed
Try a small sowing of radish or leafy greens in a well-drained position, then stagger follow-up sowings as conditions settle.
Local reference: Agriculture Victoria: late-season frost ↗. 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.