Chilli
It seems that most people now have at least 1 or 2 chilli plants at home – it’s become incredibly trendy. Growing...
There can be no doubting this month that Winter is almost here! Days are shortening, nights are colder and brisk winds encourage us to rug up before heading outside. Even tropics dwellers are feeling the chill in the air, although it’s nothing like that experienced down south!
It seems that most people now have at least 1 or 2 chilli plants at home – it’s become incredibly trendy. Growing...
Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) are tubers that grow and form at the plant’s roots. Plants also produce flowering shoots...
Delicious in salads and sandwiches, the crisp, sweet crunch of a cucumber is one of the joys of summer. Growing...
Spring onions (also known as green shallots and green bunching or salad onions) are a delicious addition to a whole...
Nothing beats the taste of your own home-grown tomatoes, freshly picked and warm from the Summer sun. Slice them into a...
Nothing beats home-grown peas for their tenderness and taste. That's because when they are picked, their sugars start to...
The basis of so many delicious dishes, onions (Allium cepa) are an essential ingredient in every cook’s store cupboard...
Growing garlic ( Allium sativum) at home is now very popular. It's an easy vegetable to grow - just plant a garlic clove...
Zucchini are now a common, summer staple in the vegetable garden. They are relatively easy to grow and they can be eaten...
Runner beans, or more correctly scarlet runner beans, (Phaseolus coccineus) are among the easiest and most rewarding...
Bags of salad leaves are quite expensive to buy and have a fairly short lifespan in the fridge. Grow your own and you...
Delicious in pies, soups and stews and full of vitamins and minerals, pumpkins are a tasty autumn and winter treat...
Sweet Corn, or maize, won't really grow as high as an elephant's eye, but it will be sweet, tender and delicious -...
Asparagus is a classic spring vegetable worth establishing in your garden. You’ll need to wait 2 years from planting...
Drizzled with olive oil and baked whole or sliced into steaks, cut into individual florets and wok-tossed in a stir fry...
Broccoli is a must have in every home veggie patch - it’s productive, nutritious and very easy to grow. Although they're...
Rhubarbs edible stalks grow from a central crown and this popular vegetable is most commonly eaten as a sweet! Once...
You might not like the cold weather, but Brussels sprouts do! Brussels sprouts grow best in cool climates with cold...
Spinach is rich in iron, fibre and other essential vitamins and this easy to grow veg is ready to harvest, leaf by leaf...
Kale is an easy to grow leafy vegetable that has become popular thanks to its superfood status because it’s rich in...
Cabbages are an easy and versatile vegetable for you to grow and enjoy at home! It can be eaten raw, cooked into...
Silverbeet is also commonly referred to as Swiss chard, chard or rainbow chard. The rainbow variety has brightly...
Ginger is a tasty and easy spice to grow in your own garden. Tropical and subtropical gardeners can grow ginger year...
Avocado trees, once established, are very productive, beautiful evergreen trees that will supply you with plenty of...
Beetroot is the ultimate vegetable to grow for root-to-tip eating! Its young tender leaves can be eaten raw in salads or...
Celery can be a fussy vegetable to grow, it doesn’t like it too hot or too cold! But once you’ve got it growing happily...
Watercress is a peppery, nutrient-rich leafy green that’s delicious on sandwiches and in salads. It’s easy to grow in...
Turmeric is bright yellow, pungent spice, native to the monsoon rainforests of Asia, that you can easily grow in your...
Eggplants are a heat-loving, productive and home garden-friendly crop to grow. They love a full sun spot and will...
Capsicums add crunch, colour and nutrients to many dishes including salads, casseroles, stir fries and roasts. Capsicums...
Sweet potatoes rambling vines grow tubers beneath the ground. These vigorous and productive vines can be grown in a...
Beans are a bountiful plant to have in your vegetable garden, they are easy to grow and heavy croppers. You can find...
Radishes are one of the easiest and speediest vegetable crops to grow! Perfect for the time poor or beginner gardener...
Leeks are a sweet and mild member of the onion family. They thrive in cold and warm temperate climates but can be...
Globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus) are thistle like plants that produce edible flowers - harvested and eaten in their bud...
Fennel or Florence Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare dulce) produces crisp white bulbs, topped with fern like fronds - all...
Horseradish is a vigorous plant related to broccoli, cabbage and kale - but unlike its brassica cousins, horseradish is...
Squash or patty pan squash as they are often called - because of their UFO like shape - are an easy to grow summer...
Parsnips are a nutty and sweet root vegetable that can take 5-6 months to reach maturity! But the flavour of homegrown...
Shallots ( Allium cepa var. aggregatum) are a member of the onion family loved by chefs and home cooks for their mild...
Lettuce is an easy to grow, staple leafy green that can be easily grown year round. You can grow lettuce quickly from...
Okra, also known as Lady’s Fingers or Gumbo, produces long pod-shaped fruit that can be used in stews, curries and stir...
Taro is a staple crop in many pacific countries that produces an edible white tuber beneath the ground. The starchy taro...
Carrots are an easy to grow, staple vegetable that’s worth including in your garden. They’ll happily grow in a full sun...
Snow peas are heavy croppers that are easy to grow in home veggie beds or potted gardens. Snow peas flat pods can be...
Turnip are a fast and easy to grow root crop that’s related to other broccoli, cabbage and other brassicas. Although...
Yam (Dioscorea sp.) is an ancient food crop grown in tropical and subtropical climates as an alternative to potatoes...
Mustard greens (Brassica juncea) are a cool season vegetable, grown for their peppery edible leaves. You can eat young...
Eaten fresh, baked in muffins or as the star attraction in jams or desserts, blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) are...
Who doesn’t love strawberries? If you’re a strawberry fan, there are many varieties easy to grow at home, allowing you...
What could be better than a bowl of sweet, fresh-picked raspberries in summer? These delicious fruits are easy to grow...
Homegrown cherries are sweet, juicy and delicious. Many varieties will be dripping with ready to pick cherries around...
Apple trees love a garden with cool winters, but if you choose the right variety (with ‘low chill’ requirements), you...
Chokos are an old-fashioned crop that’s making a comeback! Once upon a time, these vigorous vines covered pergolas...
Blackberries sometimes get a bad wrap thanks to the wild, thorny, weedy ones! But growing blackberries in your garden is...
Dragon fruit grows on a climbing cactus that produces stunning white flowers in summer. These flowers develop into pink...
Growing grapes from your own grapevine really are the perfect summer snack! Fruiting grapevines are fast-growing...
Fig trees originate from the Mediterranean where the summers are hot and dry, and winters cool - so they happily grow in...
Mangoes are the classic summer fruit, loved for their sweet and juicy flesh. Mango trees thrive in tropical and...
Passionfruits are a popular and productive vine that will grow in most climates around Australia. They particularly...
Persimmons are medium to tall growing deciduous trees that produce apple sized, orange coloured persimmon fruits in...
Pineapples are an easy care tropical fruit, that will also grow in other frost-free climates around Australia too...
Rockmelons, also known as cantaloupe, grow on sprawling vines during the warmest months of the year. These sun-loving...
Lychee fruit grow on medium to large evergreen trees that love growing in subtropical and tropical climates. They love a...
Paw Paw or Papaya (Carica papaya) originate from tropical and subtropical climates, so they thrive in warm, frost free...
Mulberry trees are a fast and easy to fruiting plant for every home garden! You’ll rarely find mulberries at the...
Watermelons grow on sprawling vines during the warmest months of the year in Australia. These sun-loving plants can be...
Pear trees love a garden with cool winters, but if you choose the right variety (with ‘low chill’ requirements) you can...
Kiwifruit grow on large, vigorous vines that need a lot of space to grow. To produce kiwifruit you’ll need to plant both...
Gooseberries (Ribes uva-crispa) are native to parts of Europe, but they’ll happily grow in the cooler parts of southern...
Plum trees are productive fruit trees, ideally suited to growing in the average backyard or in a large pot. There are...
Pomegranates (Punica granatum) are heat-loving trees, native to the Middle East, that grow well here in Australia. The...
Orchids are a great addition to any home, with their exotic, delicate and diverse flowers and their beautiful shapes and...
If you want to grow something spectacular, plant sunflowers. They come in a whole range of sizes from dwarf to giant and...
Alliums belong to the same family as onions, garlic and leeks, as you can tell from the aroma when you crush the foliage...
Roses are among our favourite garden plants – and deservedly so. They are versatile, produce vibrant colour through...
The sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus) is an incredibly popular flowering climbing plant that produces masses of flowers from...
Lavender is a beautiful, fragrant small shrub perfect for cottage gardens, perennial borders and pollinator patches...
Dahlias produce colourful blooms throughout summer and well into autumn in Australia. Their flowers can be big and...
Azaleas have the power to fill winter and spring gardens with masses of colourful blooms. Azaleas will tolerate a range...
Gerberas produce bright, colourful flowers on long stems during the warmer months of the year. Gerbera daisies grow in...
Jasmine (Jasmine polyanthum) is a vigorous vine with sweetly scented white and pink blushed blooms throughout spring and...
Lilies or lilium are summer flowering bulbs with showy blooms that are often heavily fragrant. Lilies will grow in most...
Marigold flowers will bring bright pops of colour to your warm season garden, veggie bed or pots. There are 3 main types...
Gardenias are warm climate flowering shrubs or small trees, loved for their beautifully perfumed blooms. Gardenia plants...
Poppies will bring a flush of colour into your spring garden with their frilly flowers. There are many different types...
Proteas are sun-loving beauties originally from South Africa, that grow particularly well in our poor Australian soils...
Snapdragons are bright and cheerful flowering plants that grow in most climates. If you live in a region with heavy...
Hydrangeas ( Hydrangea macrophylla) are the perfect flowering shrub for part shade AND their big blousy flower heads...
Geraniums (Pelargonium spp.) are hardy, sun-loving plants with brightly coloured flowers throughout spring and summer...
Carnations are grown for their beautifully fringed, fragrant blooms that make a long-lasting cut flower to enjoy in a...
Poinsettia is a Christmas favourite - their red and green colours are commonly used to bring festive cheer indoors over...
Begonias come in a range of sizes and forms, and they’re loved by gardeners as indoor or outdoor plants for their...
African violets are typically grown as indoor plants, but they will also tolerate growing outdoors in a protected warm...
Forget Me Nots produce dainty pale blue, pale pink or mauve flowers in spring and summer. These pretty low growing...
Rhododendrons are spring flowering shrubs or trees that are closely related to azaleas, so they like similar growing...
Everlasting Daisies (Xerochrysum bracteatum) are a colourful Australian native daisy often called Strawflowers or Paper...
Lilac shrubs or trees (Syringa vulgaris) are loved for their heavenly fragrant flowers in spring and summer. In autumn...
Ranunculus (Ranunculus asiaticus) make the perfect spring and early summer cut flower. They grow from dormant corms...
Zinnias are colourful and cheerful summer flowering annual plants that are a must for all gardens during the warmer...
Fuchsia plants produce delicate and colourful hanging flowers that look like twirling ballerinas in spring, summer and...
Aster (Callistephus chinensis) or Chinese Aster are fast-growing, flowering annuals that thrive in the warmth of spring...
Iris flowers appear in spring and summer in Australia on long, slender stems that can be around 60-100cm tall. Irises...
Nasturtiums are an easy to grow, flowering companion plant that’s also edible. Nasturtium flowers have a peppery flavour...
Petunias are sun loving, summer flowering beauties that provide masses of colour over the warmer months. Petunias love...
Tulips are spring flowering bulbs that love climates with cooler winters. However, if your winters are milder in...
Bromeliads ( Bromeliaceae) are a diverse group of plants with a very tropical vibe. With over 3000 different species in...
Kangaroo paws are among the most iconic Australian plants, instantly recognisable by their unique furry and vibrantly...
Almonds (Prunus amygdalus) are the edible nuts produced inside the hard-fleshed velvety fruit, that grows on a tree that...
Bougainvilleas put on a showy display of vibrant colour throughout summer. These vigorous vines are drought tolerant and...
Magnolia's magnificent blooms arrive at the end of winter, announcing that spring isn’t far away. On deciduous magnolias...
Bird of Paradise plants are tropical beauties with big leaves and flamboyant, colourful flowers that resemble birds...
Dieffenbachia (Dieffenbachia spp.), also known as Dumb Cane or Leopard Lily, are fast-growing tropical plants popular as...
Boston Ferns (Nephrolepis exaltata) are elegant plants with long, slender leaves that cascade over the sides of their...
Kentia Palms (Howea forsteriana) are tall, elegant palms with arching fronds on long stems that will happily grow as a...
Lilly Pilly plants range from small shrubs to large trees - you can grow them in the ground or pots and you’ll find a...
Bottlebrush gets their common name because their fluffy, blooms are shaped like old-fashioned bottle brushes...
Waratah (Telopea species) are Australian native plants loved for their large flowers that come in a range of colours...
Lemon trees are a classic backyard staple! These productive trees are long-lived and will grow in a large pot or in your...
Christmas Bush (Ceratopetlum gummiferum) or NSW Christmas Bush as it’s sometimes called is an Australian native plant...
English Ivy (Hedera helix) is a fast growing, creeping vine that is a serious environmental weed in many parts of...
Microgreens are the young and immature seedlings of plants with edible leaves that you can harvest and use for garnish...
Buxus (Buxus species), often called Box Plants or Box Hedges are small growing evergreen trees or shrubs. Buxus are...
Dichondra (Dichondra ripens), also called Kidney Weed, is a fast growing, evergreen ground cover that’s easy to grow...
A popular stalwart in Australian gardens for good reason, buffalo grass makes for an incredibly resilient lawn. It is...
Kikuya grass, or Pennisetum Clandestinum, is a vigorous plant often used in Australian lawns and common in public...
With their lush, upright stature and huge, glossy leaves, the Fiddle Leaf Fig ( Ficus lyrata) is one of the most popular...
With their dark green foliage and pure white flowers, Peace Lilies are a stunning addition indoors. Being just as...
Monstera deliciosa is also commonly called the Swiss cheese Plant, Fruit Salad Plant or Monstera. Its large green glossy...
There’s a reason why Philodendrons make such great indoor plants… well several actually! They look good, aren’t fussy...
Cheerful, bright and compact, African violets are the perfect indoor pot plant. They have eye-catching purple, red, pink...
Devil’s Ivy ( Epipremnum aureum), also known as Pothos, is most commonly grown as an easy going indoor plant - it’s one...
Snake Plants are the easiest houseplant of all to grow. This undemanding plant will grow in the most challenging of...
Aloe Vera is a striking succulent plant, with medicinal properties, that can be grown in your garden or indoors as a...
Hoya, also known as wax flower, are evergreen vines (or sometimes shrubs or succulent plants) with fragrant flowers in...
Anthurium plants are tropical, flowering plants with glossy leaves and heart shaped flowers. They’ll thrive outdoors in...
String of Pearls is a cascading succulent with pearl-like foliage, hence its name! These succulents thrive best in a...
Maidenhair Ferns have a reputation for being fussy and tricky to grow, but they don’t have to be!
Air Plants ( Tillandsia spp.) do not need soil to grow and they don’t really have roots like other plants - the roots...
Chair of Hearts plants, despite their delicate appearance, are actually a succulent plant! Their long trailing tendrils...
Dragon Tail ( Epipremnum pinnatum) is a popular Australian native, mostly grown as an indoor plant. In the wild, it...
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) are very popular indoor plants because they’re so easy to grow. Rubber Plants are loved...
Spider Plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are possibly the easiest and most adaptable house plant to grow! They are happy in...
Syngonium or Arrowhead Vine (Syngonium podophyllum) are a brilliant indoor plant for beginners to grow. Initially they...
Calathea (Calathea sp.) also known as Prayer Plants, are tropical plants grown commonly as indoor plants so their vivid...
Ctenanthe species (pronounced te-NANTH-ee) are often mistaken for their cousins the calatheas and confusingly they are...
The Zanzibar Gem plant, also commonly called the ZZ Plant, is a low-maintenance houseplant characterised by its shiny...
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema sp.) have lots of large leaves with either silver, green, pink or yellow variegation. They...
Alocasia, also called Elephant Ears, are tropical herbaceous perennials that grow from a tuber or rhizome beneath the...
Peperomia plants are grown as indoor plants for their decorative and colourful leaves. You’ll find peperomias (also...
Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina) are elegant houseplants loved for their glossy leaves that hang gracefully from arching...
Mistletoe Cactus (Rhipsalis campos-portoana) are easy to grow, lush plants that suit growing in hanging baskets or wall...
Parlour Palms (Chamaedorea elegans) bring a tropical vibe to any home without the need for a tropical climate. They...
Spiderwort (Tradescantia zebrina) is an easy-to-grow, trailing plant with multi-coloured green/purple leaves for real...
There’s not a lot to harvest from the veggie patch now, apart from the leaves of the “pick and come again” lettuces and other greens like spinach and silverbeet. Click on the fruit or vegetable image below to find out more about what to harvest.
Certified virus-free strawberry plants and runners can be planted this month in all areas. Protect young plants from cold with a straw, lucerne or sugarcane mulch that will help keep the soil warm and weed-free.
There may still be some crops of late season fruits maturing. These include:
Evergreen fruiting plants such as passionfruit vines and citrus may still be planted in warm to tropical areas. It’s still too early for and new bare-root fruit trees. They are best planted in mid to late winter.