September Gardening Guide: What to Plant and Do Across Australia
By Ewa Bekiesch, DipSustLiv (UTAS)
Holistic Gardens Consultant | Healthy Food Advocate
YouTube & Instagram: @EwasVibes — Where every leaf holds a secret, and every root tells a story. Join the conversation!
Seeds, Cuttings & Plants: foodforestseeds.au
September in the garden is a true celebration of renewal and growth. Spring has officially arrived, bringing longer days, warmer soil, and a sense of joyful urgency in the garden. Here on the Fraser Coast, the low chill apple and plum trees are in full bloom, bees are buzzing from flower to flower, and the frog chorus at dusk grows louder every evening. It’s a month of immense potential—a time to sow, grow, and flourish.
I’ve prepared this guide to help you make the most of this energetic season, whether you’re tending a tropical paradise, a subtropical food forest like mine, or a cool-climate garden down south. Let’s dig into September’s gardening magic!
Tropical Gardens (Northern QLD, NT, WA)
What’s Happening:
The dry season is still hanging on, but humidity is slowly returning. It’s a great time to plant right before the wet season kicks in.
Key Jobs This Month:
- Plant trees and shrubs before the full heat returns
- Mulch deeply to retain moisture and suppress weeds
- Check irrigation systems – ensure they’re ready for the dry weeks ahead
What to Plant Now:
Vegetables: Okra, sweet potato, snake beans, corn, rosella
Herbs: Lemongrass, basil, perennial chillies, ginger, turmeric
Fruits: Papaya, banana, citrus, mango
Subtropical Gardens (SE QLD, Northern NSW) – My Garden This Month!
What I’m Doing in My Food Forest:
This month, I’m:
- Planting out tomatoes, capsicums, and eggplants now that the soil has warmed
- Direct-sowing cucumbers, beans, and zucchini into well-composted beds
- Celebrating the first strawberry fruits and fruit tree blossoms.
- Watching the bees work the flowering trees, shrubs, and herbs
Key Jobs This Month:
- Fertilise fruit trees with compost and organic pellets
- Keep an eye out for fruit fly – organise netting bags ( I have some available in my online store, link below)
- Apply a deep layer of mulch (up to 10 cm thick) around fruit trees and in raised garden beds to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
What to Plant Now:
Vegetables: Zucchini, cucumber, pumpkin, tomatoes, lettuce
Herbs: Basil, mint, parsley, society garlic
Fruits: Various fruit trees, fruiting shrubs, and vines according to your space and liking, like passionfruit, pineapples, bananas, blueberries, papaya, mango, and many more.
Temperate Gardens (Southern NSW, VIC, TAS, SA, WA)
What’s Happening:
Frosts are easing, days are lengthening, and the soil is slowly warming. It’s time to begin the main spring planting rush!
Key Jobs This Month:
- Prepare veggie beds with compost and well-rotted manure
- Plant out seedlings of frost-tender crops after your last frost date
What to Plant Now:
Vegetables: Beetroot, carrots, spinach, peas, potatoes
Herbs: Coriander, dill, chives, thyme, oregano
Flowers: Marigolds, sunflowers, alyssum, nasturtiums
Final Tip for Everyone:
Water deeply and less frequently to encourage strong root growth as we head into warmer months.
A Personal Note…
September always feels like the garden’s New Year to me. It’s a fresh start, a new cycle, and a chance to grow even more food than last year. Whether you’re planting a windowsill herb garden or a full-scale food forest, I hope this month brings you beautiful growth, delicious harvests, and plenty of garden joy.
Join the Growing Community!
Love following along? I share regular updates, planting tips, and behind-the-scenes tours in my:
- YouTube Videos – New every week! Subscribe here
- Online Store – Heirloom seeds & organic plants Shop now
What are you most excited to plant this September? Let me know in the comments!
Happy gardening,
Ewa Bekiesch
