Garden Guide
Garden Guide for Canberra, Australian Capital Territory & Surrounds
Canberra is located in a temperate climate zone with continental influences. Summers are warm to hot and often dry, while winters can be cool to cold, with occasional frost. The soil varies but is often clayey and needs good preparation with organic matter to improve drainage and nutrient supply.
In Canberra, Climate Zone 9b, the main planting season kicks off after the last frost in mid-September. You can sow radishes from September to March and summer spinach from September to November. For heat-loving plants like tomatoes (slicing tomatoes), start them indoors as early as September to October, then transplant them outdoors in December. Carrots are best sown from October to December.
Also applies to: Queanbeyan, Goulburn, Yass, Cooma, Wagga Wagga
Plan your Canberra garden in the Fryd appPlanting Calendar
When to start indoors, sow outdoors, and harvest in Canberra.
| Crop | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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| Tomato (Bush tomato) ●●● ●●○ ●●● | |
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| Tomato (Cocktail bush tomato) ●●● ●●○ ●●● | |
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| Pepper / Paprika ●●● ●●○ ●●● | |
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| Cucumber / Gherkin ●●● ●●○ ●●● | |
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| Courgette / Zucchini ●●● ●●● ●●● | |
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| Bean (Dwarf bean) ●●● ●●○ ●○○ | |
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| Bean (Runner bean) ●●● ●●○ ●○○ | |
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| Strawberry ●●● ●●○ ●●● | |
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| Basil ●●● ●●○ ●●● | |
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| Garlic ●●● ●●○ ●○○ | |
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| Onion ●●● ●●○ ●●○ | |
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| Onion (Spring onion) ●●● ●●○ ●●○ | |
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| Carrots ●●● ●●○ ●○○ | |
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| Radishes ●●● ●●○ ●○○ | |
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| Beetroot ●●● ●●○ ●●○ | |
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| Chard ●●○ ●●○ ●●○ | |
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| Spinach (Summer) ●○○ ●●● ●●○ | |
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| Leeks ●●○ ●●○ ●●● | |
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| Aubergine / Eggplant ●●● ●●● ●●● | |
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| Chili ●●● ●●○ ●●● | |
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Planting Calendar Canberra
- Tomato (Bush tomato): Start indoors Sep - Oct, Sowing Nov - Dec, Harvest Jan - Dec (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
- Tomato (Cocktail bush tomato): Start indoors Sep - Oct, Sowing Nov - Dec, Harvest Jan - Dec (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
- Pepper / Paprika: Start indoors Aug - Sep, Sowing Nov - Dec, Harvest Jan - Apr (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
- Cucumber / Gherkin: Start indoors Oct - Nov, Sowing Nov - Dec, Harvest Jan - Dec (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
- Courgette / Zucchini: Start indoors Sep - Nov, Sowing Nov - Dec, Harvest Jan - Dec (Light: high, Water: high, Nutrients: high)
- Bean (Dwarf bean): Start indoors Oct - Nov, Sowing Jan - Dec, Harvest Jan - Dec (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: low)
- Bean (Runner bean): Start indoors Oct - Nov, Sowing Jan - Dec, Harvest Jan - Dec (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: low)
- Strawberry: Start indoors Aug - Oct, Sowing Sep - Dec, Harvest Jan - Dec (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
- Basil: Start indoors Jan - Dec, Sowing Jan - Dec, Harvest Jan - Dec (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
- Garlic: Sowing Feb - Apr, Harvest Jan - Dec (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: low)
- Onion: Start indoors Jul - Aug, Sowing Sep - Oct, Harvest Jan - Mar (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
- Onion (Spring onion): Start indoors Jan - Dec, Sowing Feb - May, Harvest May - Sep (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
- Carrots: Sowing Sep - Dec, Harvest Jan - Dec (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: low)
- Radishes: Sowing Jan - Dec, Harvest Jan - Dec (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: low)
- Beetroot: Start indoors Sep, Sowing Sep - Dec, Harvest Jan - Dec (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
- Chard: Start indoors Jul - Oct, Sowing Sep - Dec, Harvest Jan - Dec (Light: medium, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
- Spinach (Summer): Sowing Sep - Nov, Harvest Jan - Dec (Light: low, Water: high, Nutrients: medium)
- Leeks: Start indoors Sep - Oct, Sowing Oct - Nov, Harvest Mar - Jun (Light: medium, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
- Aubergine / Eggplant: Start indoors Sep - Nov, Sowing Nov - Dec, Harvest Jan - Dec (Light: high, Water: high, Nutrients: high)
- Chili: Start indoors Jul - Sep, Sowing Jan - Dec, Harvest Jan - Apr (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
Based on Fryd planting data for Zone 9b, 2026.
Companion Planting for Canberra
Plants that thrive together in Australian Capital Territory & Surrounds.
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Carrots + Tomato (Bush tomato)
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Onion + Tomato (Bush tomato)
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Carrots + Tomato (Cocktail bush tomato)
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Onion + Tomato (Cocktail bush tomato)
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Garlic + Pepper / Paprika
Plan companions visually
Drag and drop crops in the Fryd bed planner to see companion matches.
Try Fryd →Growing Tips for Canberra
Consistent Moisture for Radishes
For quick growth and tender roots, radishes need consistent moisture. Dry spells can lead to woody, hot, and pithy radishes, so regular watering is key.
Choosing the Right Spot for Onions
Onions love light and warmth, so pick a full-sun, warm spot for them. The soil should be loose, rich in humus, and slightly moist to create optimal conditions.
Caring for Spinach
After sowing spinach, which you can do from September to November, ensuring adequate water supply is crucial. Also, keep up with consistent weed control so your spinach can thrive.
Supporting and Caring for Eggplants
Eggplants thrive best in a sunny, warm spot with nutrient-rich soil. To prevent the plants from snapping, you should stake them and remove side shoots, just like you would with tomatoes.
Common Pests & Diseases
Dealing with Aphids
You'll spot aphids as small, often green or black insect colonies on young shoots and the undersides of leaves. Spray affected plants with a soapy solution or introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs.
Keeping Slugs Away
Slugs munch holes in leaves and fruits, especially in damp weather. Regularly pick them off, set out slug traps, or protect your beds with slug fences.
Preventing Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew appears as a white, powdery coating on leaves and stems. Ensure good air circulation and avoid waterlogging; you should remove affected leaves promptly.
Wireworms in the Soil
Wireworms are yellowish larvae that damage roots and tubers. Regularly loosen the soil and work in compost; potato pieces can be used as bait to help catch them.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant tomatoes in Canberra?
It's best to start your tomatoes (slicing tomatoes) indoors from September to October. Then, sow or transplant them outdoors in December, once all danger of frost has passed.
What climate zone is Canberra in?
Canberra is in Climate Zone 9b. This means you can expect mild winters and warm to hot summers, allowing for a long growing season.
What grows well in Canberra?
Lots of crops thrive here! You can sow cold-hardy plants like spinach, radishes, and Swiss chard early, while heat-loving plants like tomatoes, zucchini, and eggplants will absolutely love the long, warm summers.
When is the last frost in Canberra?
The last frost in Canberra is typically in mid-September. After that, you can safely plant frost-sensitive plants outdoors.
