February Gardening Guide: What to Plant and Do Across Australia
By Ewa Bekiesch, DipSustLiv (UTAS)
Holistic Gardens Coach | Real Food Advocate
YouTube & Instagram: @EwasVibes — Where every leaf holds a secret, and every root tells a story. Join the conversation!
Seeds, Plants & Gardening Gear: foodforestseeds.au
As February unfolds, we find ourselves in the heart of the Australian summer—a month of deep warmth, golden light, and gardens at their most abundant. Here on the Fraser Coast, the air is thick with humidity and the promise of late summer storms, while in southern regions, the sun lingers well into the evening, ripening the last of the tomatoes and sweetening the corn. It’s a time of fullness, of harvest, and of beginning to look ahead to the gentler days of autumn.
In my own food forest, the rhythm is one of gathering and tending: mango season is winding down, the pineapples are sweetening in the sun, and the passionfruit vines are giving their final generous flush. There’s still plenty of heat and growth, but also a quieter whisper of change in the air. Whether you’re navigating tropical rains, arid heat, or the last of the temperate summer, this guide will help you tend your garden with intention this February.
Tropical Gardens (Northern QLD, NT, WA)
What’s Happening:
The wet season continues, with high humidity, heavy rain, and lush, almost overwhelming growth. Heat and moisture remain the dominant forces.
Key Jobs This Month:
- Prioritise drainage and airflow to combat fungal diseases.
- Continue to harvest regularly to keep plants productive.
- Prune back excessive growth to improve light penetration and air movement.
- Prepare for potential cyclone activity by securing structures and pruning trees.
What to Plant Now:
Vegetables: Cherry tomatoes, amaranth, kang kong, okra, sweet potato
Herbs: Lemongrass, Vietnamese mint, perennial basil, ginger
Fruits: Papaya, banana, passionfruit, soursop
Arid & Semi-Arid Gardens (Inland SA, NT, WA, NSW)
What’s Happening:
The heat remains intense, but days begin to shorten slightly. Water conservation and heat protection are still critical.
Key Jobs This Month:
- Maintain deep, early morning watering routines.
- Use shade cloth strategically to protect sensitive plants.
- Apply thick organic mulch to conserve soil moisture and moderate soil temperature.
- Harvest in the cool of early morning to preserve produce quality.
What to Plant Now:
Vegetables: Bush tomatoes, snake beans, sweet potato
Herbs: Saltbush, native thyme, oregano, rosemary
Fruits: Pomegranate, fig, jujube, dragon fruit
Subtropical Gardens (SE QLD, Northern NSW) – My Garden This Month!
What’s Happening in My Food Forest:
February is a month of delicious transition. While I’m still harvesting pineapples, late mangoes, and passionfruit, I’m also starting to prepare beds for autumn planting. The focus is on soil rejuvenation—adding compost, mulch, and green manure crops—while keeping existing plants well-watered through the dry spells between rains.
Key Jobs This Month:
- Replenish mulch to protect soil from intense sun and heavy downpours.
- Start seeds indoors for autumn brassicas (broccoli, cauliflower, kale).
- Continue monitoring for fruit fly and use exclusion methods.
- Water deeply during dry periods, focusing on fruiting plants and trees.
What to Plant Now:
Vegetables: Zucchini, cucumber, Malabar spinach, sweet potato, tomatoes
Herbs: Mint, parsley, chives, thyme, sage
Fruits: Strawberries (from runners), citrus, blueberry bushes
Temperate Gardens (Southern NSW, VIC, TAS, SA, WA)
What’s Happening:
Late summer warmth continues, but the shift towards autumn becomes perceptible, especially towards the end of the month. Days remain long and productive.
Key Jobs This Month:
- Harvest regularly to encourage final fruit production.
- Begin planting autumn crops towards the end of the month.
- Save seeds from open-pollinated summer favourites.
- Start preparing garden beds for cool-season planting with compost and well-rotted manure.
What to Plant Now:
Vegetables: Lettuce, spinach, rocket, beetroot, carrots, peas (late Feb)
Herbs: Coriander, dill, parsley, chervil
Flowers: Pansies, violas, calendula (for autumn colour)
A Final Tip for Every Gardener:
Save your seeds. February is a perfect time to start collecting seeds from your healthiest, most productive open-pollinated plants. Store them in a cool, dry place and label them carefully—you’ll thank yourself next season.
A Personal Reflection…
February always feels like a deep, satisfied sigh in the garden. The hard work of spring and early summer has paid off, and there’s a tangible sense of abundance. It’s a month to share harvests with friends, preserve the surplus, and slowly, gently, begin turning our attention to the next cycle of growth. However your garden grows this month, may it bring you both plenty and peace.
Join the Growing Community!
For more late-summer tips, harvest inspiration, and a behind-the-scenes look at preparing my food forest for autumn, join me on my YouTube channel at EwasVibes (it’s free!) Your likes, comments, and shares truly help the channel grow and inspire more content.
If you’re planning your autumn garden, visit my online store at www.foodforestseeds.au for heirloom seeds and a wonderful selection of organically grown potted plants, all nurtured here in my food forest.
What are you harvesting—or planting—this February? I’d love to hear what’s happening in your patch. Share your stories in the comments!
Wishing you a bountiful and beautiful month ahead.
Happy gardening, and thank you so much for supporting my small business 🙂
Ewa Bekiesch
