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Cooler days are made for heart-warming soups, roasts and casseroles, and there’s no better way to enjoy these delicious dishes than with vegetables straight from your garden. Australia is fortunate enough to have a robust growing season for vegies and herbs, despite colder temperatures and changes in seasons. Make the most of it. This planting guide will help you get the best from your winter harvest.
Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment. Always wear gloves and a mask when handling potting mix, mulch and compost, and store products out of the reach of children and pets.
The secret to healthy, flourishing plants is in the soil. Before planting, remove weeds and enrich the soil with organic matter, like compost or pelletised manures. This will help refresh it. Once seeds or seedlings are planted, spread a layer of organic mulch like pea straw or sugarcane around the plants. This helps suppress weeds, maintain soil warmth, and conserve moisture.
In temperate and cool climates, young seedlings are vulnerable to frosts. If frost is expected, protect them with frost cloth or cloches overnight and remove the cover the next morning.
Coriander seems to be a love-it-or-hate-it herb, but if you love it, now’s the time to grow coriander. The cooler weather means it's less likely to bolt (flower), so you can enjoy it for longer. The stems, leaves and roots can all be eaten; you can also save the seeds for use in cooking.
Harvest: Six weeks from seed; four to six weeks from seedling.
With a sweet earthy flavour, this root vegetable is delicious both raw and cooked. It is a versatile addition to gardens of all sizes. Beetroot thrives in part shade to full sun in well-drained soil enriched with compost. The foliage can also be harvested for use but pick sparingly as the plant still needs leaves to grow.
Harvest: Eight to 10 weeks from seed; six to eight weeks from seedling.
Parsnips are delicious root vegies that develop a sweeter flavour profile with cold temperatures and frost exposure, making them ideal vegetables to grow in winter. They need a spot in full sun with loose, friable soil. Sow seeds directly where they are going to grow and keep the soil evenly moist until germination. Water regularly during the growing season and avoid feeding. Use fresh seeds as germination is poor with old seed.
Harvest: 18 to 20 weeks, best planted from seed as seedlings don't transplant well.
This versatile allium demands patience and timely planting to ensure proper development of its flavourful bulbs. To grow onions, choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil and enrich with organic matter. Water regularly throughout the season. Once the leaves have yellowed and fallen over, it’s time to harvest. Leave to cure for a few weeks in a covered, airy spot outdoors before storing.
Harvest: 24 to 28 weeks from seed; 22 to 24 weeks from seedling.
These sweet, crispy pods can be eaten straight off the vine or thrown into salads and stir-fries. Both dwarf and climbing forms are available; install a garden trellis or teepee when sowing seeds to support the climbing varieties. Peas are best sown in most climates except for the coldest areas. If you are in a cold area, wait until spring to sow peas. Earlier sowings mean flowers can be killed by frosts.
Harvest: 10 to 14 weeks; eight to 12 weeks from seedling.
This cool-season favourite forms dense heads of crisp yet tender leaves with a slightly sweet flavour, making it perfect for both raw and cooked dishes. To grow cabbage, sow direct or start seeds in a tray filled with seed-raising mix and transplant after four to six weeks into a spot with full sun and well-drained soil. Consistent watering and feeding are essential to ensure proper head formation.
Harvest: 14 to 18 weeks; 12 to 14 weeks from seedling.
Broad beans are a culinary delight much loved for their mild, nutty and buttery flavour. Ensure the soil is well-drained and enriched with lots of organic matter. Sow seeds and water in well, but don’t water again until germination occurs. As it grows into a large bushy plant, provide support with a trellis to prevent plants from toppling over. Harvest when young to enjoy them whole or allow them to mature for eating the beans.
Harvest: 16 to 20 weeks; 14 to 18 weeks from seedling.
In tropical climates, sweet corn can be grown year-round, but it’s a good idea to sow seeds now so crops mature before the onset of the wet season. Pick a spot with at least six hours of sunlight, loosen the soil and dig in compost. Sow seeds in blocks of 1x1m to improve pollination and fruiting. Liquid feed throughout the season with a fertiliser specially formulated for tomatoes and vegetables.
Harvest: 12 to 14 weeks from seed; 10 to 12 weeks from seedling.
From the classic burpless with its smooth skin and mildly sweet flesh to the charming round, white and miniature forms, there’s a cucumber to suit every taste. As a vine, it will happily sprawl over garden beds, but it's better to provide a trellis for it to climb. This keeps the fruit and foliage off the ground, which reduces the likelihood of pests and diseases. Sow seeds direct or in seed-raising trays before planting.
Harvest: Eight to 10 weeks from seed; six to eight weeks from seedling.
This traditional summer plant is best grown in tropical and subtropical zones. Both bush and vine tomatoes can be grown, with the latter requiring a trellis or stakes for support. Sow seeds or plant seedlings in a sunny spot with well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Feed and water regularly through the growing season to promote healthy growth and abundant fruit.
Harvest: 10 to 12 weeks from seed; eight to 10 weeks from seedling.
Beans are a productive performer suitable for pots or garden beds. Bush or dwarf beans usually grow to around 40cm, while climbing beans can reach 2m tall. Climbing beans will need a trellis or frame for support. Sow direct into pots or garden beds and apply liquid feed every two weeks to promote strong, healthy growth and a bumper crop.
Harvest: Eight weeks from seed; six weeks from seedling.
Our range of raised garden beds allows you to create a growing area in almost any location.
Photo Credit: Sue Stubbs, Getty Images.
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
