What to Plant in Winter (June–August 2026)
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Why Winter Is a Gardener's Secret Weapon
While many gardeners pack away their trowels when the temperature drops, savvy growers know that the Australian winter (June–August) is prime time for a surprisingly rich harvest. Cooler soil temperatures slow pest pressure, reduce water needs, and produce some of the most flavourful crops of the year. Whether you're in temperate Sydney, cool-climate Melbourne, or subtropical Brisbane, there's plenty to sow right now.
Browse our full Seasonals Collection for seeds curated to the current season.
🥦 Vegetables to Plant This Winter
Kale
Kale is arguably the king of the winter vegetable patch. It thrives in cool conditions, becomes sweeter after a frost, and can be harvested continuously for months. We carry several heirloom varieties to suit every garden:
- Kale – Dwarf Blue Curled Seeds — compact and perfect for raised beds or pots
- Kale – Red Russian Seeds — tender, flat leaves with a mild, sweet flavour
- Kale Heirloom Mix Seeds — a beautiful blend of varieties for a diverse harvest
Planting tip: Sow direct or transplant seedlings 45–60 cm apart. Kale prefers a sunny spot with well-drained, fertile soil. Water consistently and harvest outer leaves to encourage continued growth.
Leeks
Leeks are a slow-growing but deeply rewarding winter staple. Their mild, sweet onion flavour is perfect for soups, risottos, and roasts. Start them now for a late-winter to spring harvest.
- Leek – Carentan Seeds — a classic French heirloom with thick, tender stems
- Leek Heirloom Mix — a curated mix of heritage varieties
Planting tip: Sow seeds in trays and transplant when pencil-thick (about 8–10 weeks). Plant into deep holes and backfill gradually to blanch the stems white.
Spring Onions
Fast-maturing and endlessly useful in the kitchen, spring onions are a winter must-have. They're ready in as little as 8 weeks and can be harvested repeatedly.
- Spring Onion – Evergreen Seeds — a reliable, non-bulbing bunching type
- Spring Onion Red (Bunching Red Beard) Seeds — striking red stems with a mild flavour
- Spring Onion Heirloom Mix — variety in every bunch
Spinach
Spinach is one of the fastest cool-season crops you can grow. It bolts in summer heat but absolutely thrives in winter, producing lush, nutritious leaves.
- Spinach – Winter Giant Seeds — large, vigorous leaves bred for cold conditions
- Spinach – Baby Seeds — perfect for cut-and-come-again salad harvests
- Spinach Heirloom Mix — a diverse blend of heritage spinach varieties
Planting tip: Sow direct, 1 cm deep, in rows 30 cm apart. Keep soil moist and harvest outer leaves regularly.
Garlic — The Star of the Winter Garden
June and July are the ideal months to plant garlic across most of Australia. Garlic needs a cold period to develop properly, and planting now means a glorious harvest in late spring or early summer. We stock several premium, chemical-free varieties:
- Garlic (Bulb) – Elephant / Russian Garlic (Chemical Free) — enormous, mild cloves; great for roasting
- Garlic – Turban Tasmanian Purple (Chemical Free) — a stunning purple-skinned variety with rich flavour, grown in Tasmania
- Garlic – Creole Volcanite (Chemical Free) — a bold, spicy heirloom with excellent storage life
Planting tip: Break bulbs into individual cloves and plant pointy-end up, 5 cm deep and 15 cm apart. Choose a sunny, well-drained bed. Mulch well to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Harvest when the lower leaves begin to yellow (typically November–December).
🌿 Herbs to Plant This Winter
Many of the most aromatic culinary herbs are Mediterranean in origin — meaning they actually prefer cool, dry winters over hot, humid summers. Now is the perfect time to establish a productive herb garden.
Rosemary
A perennial powerhouse that thrives in cool, dry conditions. Once established, rosemary is virtually indestructible and provides harvests year-round.
Tip: Rosemary is slow from seed — start in trays indoors and transplant once seedlings are sturdy. Prefers full sun and excellent drainage.
Thyme
Thyme is a cold-hardy herb that pairs beautifully with winter roasts and slow-cooked dishes. It's also a wonderful companion plant that attracts beneficial insects.
- Thyme Summer Seeds
- Thyme Creeping Seeds — a low-growing groundcover variety, perfect for garden edges and pots
Sage
Sage is a robust, drought-tolerant herb that handles winter beautifully. Its earthy, slightly peppery flavour is a classic match for pork, pasta, and butter sauces.
- Sage Seeds — the classic culinary sage
- Clary Sage Seeds — a beautiful ornamental and medicinal variety
🌸 Flowers That Thrive in Cooler Weather
Don't neglect the flower garden this winter! Cool-season flowers add colour to the garden during the quieter months, attract pollinators, and many make excellent cut flowers.
Sweet Peas
Sweet peas are a quintessential winter-sown flower in Australia. Plant them now for a spectacular spring display of fragrant, pastel blooms. They love the cool weather to establish strong roots before flowering.
- Sweetpea – Knee-High Mix Seeds — a compact, bushy variety that doesn't need staking
Tip: Soak seeds overnight before planting. Sow 2 cm deep in a sunny, sheltered spot. Provide a trellis or support for climbing types.
Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums are a classic cool-season performer, producing an abundance of blooms in autumn and winter. They're long-lasting as cut flowers and add warm tones to the garden.
- Rainbow Chrysanthemum Single Mix Flower Seeds — a vibrant mix of colours
Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower)
Scabiosa produces delicate, pincushion-like blooms that are irresistible to bees and butterflies. They're excellent cut flowers and thrive in cool conditions.
🌱 Quick-Reference Winter Planting Guide
| Plant | Sow Method | Days to Harvest | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garlic | Direct (cloves) | 180–210 days | All climates |
| Kale | Direct / Transplant | 55–70 days | All climates |
| Spinach | Direct | 40–50 days | Temperate / Cool |
| Leeks | Trays → Transplant | 120–150 days | All climates |
| Spring Onions | Direct | 60–80 days | All climates |
| Rosemary | Trays (slow) | Perennial | Temperate / Dry |
| Thyme | Trays / Direct | Perennial | All climates |
| Sage | Trays / Direct | Perennial | All climates |
| Sweet Peas | Direct | Flowers in 90–120 days | Temperate / Cool |
Ready to Get Growing?
Winter is short — the best time to plant is now. Browse our full range of heirloom, open-pollinated seeds in the Seasonals Collection and get your winter garden underway. All our seeds are carefully selected for Australian conditions, and most are chemical-free or certified organic.
Happy growing! 🌱