What to Plant in Australia This Winter (June–August 2026)

What to Plant in Australia This Winter (June–August 2026)

Winter in Australia (June–August) is far from a gardening dead zone. Across most of the country — from the cool-climate regions of Victoria and Tasmania to the mild winters of coastal NSW and Queensland — there's a surprisingly rich lineup of crops that thrive in the cold. Whether you're a seasoned grower or just getting started, this guide covers exactly what to sow, plant, and nurture right now.

🥦 Vegetables to Plant This Winter

Cool-season vegetables are the stars of the winter garden. Lower temperatures mean fewer pests, slower bolting, and often sweeter, more flavourful harvests. Here's what to get in the ground now:

Kale

One of the most cold-hardy leafy greens you can grow, kale actually improves in flavour after a frost. It's a cut-and-come-again crop, meaning you can harvest outer leaves continuously for months. We carry several varieties to suit different tastes and climates:

Planting tip: Sow direct or transplant seedlings into well-composted soil. Space 40–50 cm apart and water consistently. Kale tolerates light frosts beautifully.

Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are a slow-growing brassica that rewards patience. They need a long, cool growing season — which makes winter the ideal time to get them established. Harvest from late winter into spring.

Planting tip: Start seeds indoors or in a sheltered spot, then transplant at 6–8 weeks. Stake plants as they grow tall and remove yellowing lower leaves to improve airflow.

Parsnip

Parsnips are a winter root vegetable that genuinely needs cold to develop their characteristic sweetness. They're slow to germinate but largely self-sufficient once established.

Planting tip: Sow direct — parsnips dislike being transplanted. Keep the soil moist until germination (up to 3 weeks). Harvest after the first cold snap for maximum sweetness.

Leeks

Leeks are a versatile, slow-growing allium that thrives in cool weather. They're excellent in soups, stews, and roasts — and they look beautiful in the garden too.

Planting tip: Sow in trays and transplant when pencil-thick. Plant into deep holes (15 cm) and allow soil to fill in naturally as they grow — this blanches the stems and keeps them tender.

Spring Onions

Spring onions are one of the fastest and easiest crops to grow in winter. They're ready in as little as 8 weeks and can be harvested progressively.

Planting tip: Sow direct in rows or scatter in a pot. Thin to 5 cm apart. Harvest from the outside in, or pull whole bunches as needed.

Asparagus

Winter is the ideal time to establish an asparagus bed — this perennial crop is planted now and rewards you with harvests for 20+ years. It's a long-term investment in your garden.

Planting tip: Plant crowns (or start from seed) in a sunny, well-drained bed with plenty of compost. Don't harvest in the first year — let the plant establish. You'll be rewarded from year two onwards.

Garlic — The Star of the Winter Garden

Garlic is arguably the most rewarding winter crop you can grow. Plant cloves now (June–July is peak planting time across most of Australia) and harvest in late spring or early summer. We stock several chemical-free varieties, each with distinct flavour profiles:

Planting tip: Break bulbs into individual cloves and plant pointy-end up, 5 cm deep and 15 cm apart. Water in well and mulch heavily. Feed with a nitrogen-rich fertiliser in early spring as shoots emerge.

👉 Browse all our seasonal picks in the Seasonals Collection.

🌿 Herbs for Winter

Many of the most useful culinary herbs are Mediterranean in origin — which means they're perfectly adapted to cool, dry winters. These are the ones to focus on now:

Rosemary

A hardy, drought-tolerant shrub that thrives in winter sun. Rosemary is virtually indestructible once established and pairs beautifully with roasted winter vegetables and meats. Plant in a sunny, well-drained spot and largely leave it alone. Shop Rosemary Seeds (Organic) →

Thyme

Another Mediterranean classic that loves cool, dry conditions. Thyme is excellent as a ground cover, in pots, or along garden borders. It's a prolific grower in winter and can be harvested continuously. Shop Creeping Thyme Seeds →

Sage

Sage is at its aromatic best in cool weather. It's a beautiful ornamental plant as well as a culinary staple — the silvery-green leaves look stunning in a winter garden. Use fresh or dried in stuffings, pastas, and butter sauces. Shop Sage Seeds →

General herb tip: All three of these herbs prefer well-drained soil and full sun. Avoid overwatering in winter — they're far more tolerant of dry conditions than wet feet. Plant in terracotta pots if your soil is heavy clay.

🌸 Flowers That Thrive in Cooler Weather

Winter doesn't have to mean a colourless garden. These cool-season flowers bring life, colour, and important pollinator support to your beds:

  • Pansies & Violas — the quintessential winter flower. They bloom prolifically in cool weather and come in an extraordinary range of colours. Deadhead regularly to extend flowering.
  • Snapdragons (Antirrhinum) — tall, architectural flowers that love cool temperatures. Excellent as cut flowers and great for attracting bees.
  • Sweet Peas — sow now for a spectacular spring display. They need the cold to germinate well and will reward you with fragrant, climbing blooms from August onwards.
  • Calendula — a hardy, cheerful flower that self-seeds freely. Calendula petals are edible and the plant is a natural pest deterrent — a great companion plant for your winter vegetables.
  • Alyssum — low-growing and sweetly fragrant, alyssum is a brilliant ground cover that attracts beneficial insects to your garden all winter long.

Tip: Interplanting flowers among your vegetables isn't just pretty — it attracts pollinators and predatory insects that help keep pest populations in check naturally.

🌱 General Winter Gardening Tips

  • Mulch generously. A thick layer of straw or sugar cane mulch insulates roots, retains moisture, and suppresses winter weeds.
  • Improve your soil now. Winter is the perfect time to dig in compost, aged manure, or a green manure crop. Your spring garden will thank you.
  • Water less, but don't neglect it. Plants grow more slowly in winter and need less water — but they still need consistent moisture, especially in dry winters.
  • Watch for slugs and snails. Cool, moist conditions are prime slug territory. Use iron-based pellets (safe for pets and wildlife) or set beer traps.
  • Protect frost-sensitive seedlings. Use frost cloth or cloches on cold nights, especially in elevated areas of Victoria, Tasmania, and the ACT.

Ready to Get Growing?

Winter is one of the most satisfying seasons to be in the garden — the air is crisp, the pests are minimal, and the harvests are deeply rewarding. Whether you're planting your first garlic bed or expanding a well-established kitchen garden, we've got the seeds to make it happen.

👉 Shop our Seasonals Collection for all the winter-ready varieties mentioned in this guide.

Happy growing! 🌱

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