Climate Zones for Australian Gardeners
Knowing your climate zone will help you decide the best time to sow the vegetables, herbs and flowers you want to grow, and which varieties should perform well in your garden. Growing plants that are suited to your climate zone will usually give you the best results in your garden.
How to Use Climate Zones
First, find your climate zone using the map or descriptions below. Next, refer to our sowing chart, which provides approximate sowing times for our most popular seeds for each climate zone.
While knowing your climate zone is helpful when planning your garden, there are many other factors that may affect how your plants grow, including unseasonal weather conditions, the specific microclimate of your garden and how you care for your plants. You know your garden better than us, so if a different climate zone seems to ‘fit’ your garden better, go ahead and use it as a guide.
Our climate zones cover huge areas of Australia, so we recommend gardeners also consider their local conditions when planning what and when to plant. For example, gardeners in alpine areas have shorter growing seasons than gardeners in cool coastal areas, even though both alpine and coastal areas are included in our ‘Cool Temperate’ climate zone. We recommend gardeners in cool regions look at the ‘days to maturity’ information provided for each variety and choose those that will mature in a short (6-12 week) growing season.
Tropical
- Includes: Darwin, Cairns, Townsville, Exmouth
- High humidity summers with most rainfall in summer and dry, warm winters. Includes northern Australia from Exmouth (WA) across to south of Townsville (Qld).
- Set as my climate
Arid
- Includes: Alice Springs, Mildura, Albury-Wodonga, Shepparton, Wagga Wagga, Dubbo
- Hot dry summers, winters can be warm or cool depending on the region. Includes a large area of central Australia from the WA coast to Charleville (Qld), Tamworth (NSW) and Albury-Wodonga (NSW/Vic).
- Set as my climate
Subtropical
- Includes: Brisbane, Bundaberg, Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast, Hervey Bay, Mackay, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast
- Warm humid summers with high summer rainfall and mild winters. Includes coastal Queensland and northern NSW from north of Mackay to just south of Coffs Harbour.
- Set as my climate
Temperate
- Includes: Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Newcastle, Toowoomba, Central Coast NSW, Wollongong, Bunbury
- Moderate humidity and reliable rainfall, with four distinct seasons. Includes coastal areas from north of Port Macquarie to south of Woollongong in NSW, coastal SA and the southeastern coast of WA.
- Set as my climate
Cool Temperate
- Includes: Melbourne, Canberra, Hobart, Launceston, Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Mt Gambier
- Low humidity with most rainfall in winter; hot dry summers and cold winters. Some regions will experience frosts and snow. Includes coastal areas of south-eastern Australia and alpine areas of Victoria, NSW and Tasmania.
- Set as my climate
Climate Zones FAQ
What if I can’t find my climate zone?
If you can’t locate your zone from looking at the map or the descriptions on this page, we suggest that you think of
an area that has a climate that’s similar to yours and use the zone for that area as a guide.
What if I live on the border of two zones?
If you live near the border between two zones we suggest you read the descriptions for both zones and decide which
best describes the climate where you live. Depending on the microclimate in your garden, you may be able to grow a
wider range of plants over a longer season than others in your zone. Lucky you!
What is a microclimate?
A microclimate is a small area where the temperature or humidity differs to the climate of the surrounding area. For
example, if you live in a climate zone where frosts are common but your garden is protected by buildings or large
trees, your garden may be frost-free. Similarly, if you live in a warm temperate zone but your garden is at a high
altitude your microclimate may have more in common with the cool temperate zone, so use this as a guide when
deciding which zone is relevant to you.
Can I grow varieties not listed for my climate zone?
While our climate zones and sowing chart will help you decide what is suitable to plant in your garden, they provide
general guidance only. We recommend you start by sowing seed that’s recommended for your climate zone; once you get
a few successes under your belt you can experiment with varieties in neighbouring zones and see how you go –
gardening is all about experimenting after all!
Seed Subscription: Flower, Arid Climate, Spring 2025
Description
Seed Subscription: Flower, Arid Climate, Spring 2025
Subscriptions are an excellent way to explore new seed varieties without having to spend time choosing the seeds yourself, and are perfect for busy gardeners, delivering seeds and all the information you need to plant them directly to your letterbox.
Each season we’ll choose a selection of seed varieties tailored to your climate, and send you the seeds plus a colour information sheet with photos, tips and sowing information - all you need to do is plant!
You are currently viewing a single season of seeds which can be purchased individually. To subscribe to a years worth of seeds click here.
Seeds included in this subscription:
Marigold, French- Bolero
A 30cm annual with a compact habit. Its double flowers are a fiery mix of mahogany with gold centre's. Good for beds, borders, edging, containers, and as a companion plant in vegetable gardens. Attracts pollinators. Easy to grow, drought and heat tolerant
Sow direct or raise seedlings, 5mm. Germination 4-7 days @ 24-28°C.Annual. Height 30cm, Spacing 30cm. 85-95 days.
Best months in Arid Climates: JAN FEB JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC (Click for full sowing chart, grow guide and more)
Californian Poppy- Sundew
Dwarf Californian poppy grows to 20cm annually. Produces pale lemon flowers on stems above compact grey/green foliage. Closes in dull weather. Ideal for beds, borders, rock gardens. Grows in poor soil. Drought tolerant.
Sow direct or raise seedlings, 3mm. Germination 14-21 days @ 16-21°C.Annual. Height 20cm, Spacing 20cm. 70 days.
Best months in Arid Climates: AUG SEP OCT (Click for full sowing chart, grow guide and more)
Yarrow- Cerise Queen
Perennial growing to 60cm with dark green fern-like leaves. Produces tall stems with small flowers in magenta and pink. Good for borders, as dried or cut flower. Drought tolerant, prevents soil erosion.
Raise seedlings, 2mm. Germination 10-14 days @ 18-22°C.Perennial. Height 60cm, Spacing 60cm. 130-150 days.
Best months in Arid Climates: AUG SEP OCT (Click for full sowing chart, grow guide and more)
Chrysanthemum- Rainbow Single Mix
Annual plant growing to 60cm. Produces single, bi/tri-coloured daisy-like flowers in various shades. Ideal for beds, borders, edges, and as cut flowers. Attracts butterflies. Easy to grow. Also known as Painted Daisy and Summer Chrysanthemum.
Sow direct or raise seedlings, 4mm. Germination 10-21 days @ 20-25°C.Annual. Height 60cm, Spacing 35cm. 120 days.
Best months in Arid Climates: MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG (Click for full sowing chart, grow guide and more)
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Celosia- Flamingo Feather
Annual plant growing to 80cm with dark green foliage. Produces long spikes with feathery flowers in silvery-white and light pink. Ideal for borders, mass plantings, cut flowers, and dried arrangements. Long flowering.
Sow direct or raise seedlings, 3mm. Germination 7-14 days @ 21-27°C.Annual. Height 80cm, Spacing 40cm. 100 days.
Best months in Arid Climates: MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV (Click for full sowing chart, grow guide and more)
Coreopsis- Mayfield Giants
Perennial up to 90cm with a compact clumping habit. Green foliage produces many large, golden daisy-like blooms in spring and summer. Robust, drought-tolerant, ideal for beds, borders, pots. Excellent cut flower, attracts butterflies.
Raise seedlings or sow direct, 1mm. Germination 7-30 days @ 12-21°C.Perennial. Height 90cm, Spacing 80cm. 70 days.
Best months in Arid Climates: MAR APR AUG SEP (Click for full sowing chart, grow guide and more)
Schizanthus- Dr. Badgers Mixed
Annual plant growing to 55cm with pale green stems. Produces orchid-like flowers in white, red, pink, and violet. Long flowering, ideal for garden beds and as a cut flower. Also known as 'Poor Mans Orchid' or 'Butterfly Flower'.
Raise seedlings or sow direct, 3mm. Germination 5-10 days @ 18-22°C.Annual. Height 55cm, Spacing 30cm. 120 days.
Best months in Arid Climates: JUL AUG SEP (Click for full sowing chart, grow guide and more)
Calendula- Touch of Red Buff
Fast-growing annual, 60cm tall. Petals in coffee and cream shades with a russet to crimson underside for an antique effect. Light green, lance-shaped leaves, 5-10cm long. Great for mass plantings or cut flowers. Easy to grow, attracts beneficial insects.
Sow direct or raise seedlings, 15mm. Germination 7-14 days @ 20-22°C.Annual. Height 60cm, Spacing 50cm. 70-80 days.
Best months in Arid Climates: MAR APR MAY AUG SEP OCT (Click for full sowing chart, grow guide and more)
Pincushion Flower- Burgundy Beau
Perennial growing to 60cm with serrated leaves and wiry stems bearing burgundy to plum flowers. Suited for gardens, borders, beds, and as a cut flower. Low maintenance, drought tolerant, attracts bees and butterflies.
Raise seedlings or sow direct, 5mm. Germination 10-12 days @ 18-21°C.Perennial (short lived). Height 60cm, Spacing 25cm. 190 days.
Best months in Arid Climates: MAR APR AUG SEP (Click for full sowing chart, grow guide and more)
Nasturtium- Whirlybird Mix
Annual, compact, non-trailing plants, about 30cm tall. Bright green leaves, spurless flowers in various colours. Ideal for beds, borders, rockeries, containers, hanging baskets. Tolerates poor soil.
Sow direct or raise seedlings, 15mm. Germination 7-14 days @ 16-20°C.Annual. Height 30cm, Spacing 30cm. 70-80 days.
Best months in Arid Climates: FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP (Click for full sowing chart, grow guide and more)
Tips for gardening in spring:
Spring Gardening
Tips for gardening in spring:
Spring cleaning: Use this checklist to carry out a garden inspection.
- Plant damage - look for plants damaged by winter rains, cold temperatures, frost, snow, or wind. Tidy up plants and provide stakes or support where necessary. Make a note of which plants will need protection from winter weather for next year. Also look for rodent damage on woody plants, and evidence of new rabbit burrows or new shoots being eaten by rabbits. Protect plants with wire cages where appropriate.
- Hardscaping and outdoor living areas - check paving and decking for algae and mould if it’s in a shaded area and give it a good clean. Sweep patios and paths, and clean outdoor furniture. Gravel paths might need resurfacing. Check decks, benches, sheds, fences and wooden trellises for rotting timber. Walls that have become bowed may need fixing or reinforcing, and stepping stones or paving that has shifted may cause a trip hazard.
- Check gutters and drains - clearing out leaves and twigs reduces potential fire hazards and ensures any rainwater can run off easily.
- Irrigation system - check for leaks and parts that need to be repaired and unclog sprinkler heads that have become clogged with debris.
- Clean up garden beds - rake up old plant debris and matted fallen leaves if you didn’t do this in autumn. Doing so keeps pests and diseases at bay that thrive under such conditions.
- Clean out bird baths and remove debris from water features and ponds.
Soil preparation: Boost soil structure and fertility by sprinkling with a slow-release organic fertiliser and topdressing with well-rotted compost or well-aged manure. Take extra care if using chicken manure, and use it sparingly, as it can be high in ammonia which can burn your plants.
It is helpful to test your soil every 3-5 years to check if it is becoming deficient (or too rich) in any particular nutrient. The pH of the soil can sometimes limit the uptake of certain nutrients, so checking the pH is a good place to start. If necessary, amend the soil accordingly.
Refresh the soil in pots and containers. Over time, nutrients are used up and soil may become compacted or hold less water. Repot suitable plants (divide if appropriate) into fresh potting mix, or simply remove the top few centimetres of soil and replace with fresh mix.
Get planting: If you haven’t already planned your garden, sort through your seeds and decide what you want to plant and where. If it’s still a bit cold in your area, you can start seeds indoors on a heat mat or in a mini greenhouse. If sowing directly in the garden, try the scatter method of sowing for a more informal approach this year.
If any of the flowers or vegetables you are planning on planting require support like stakes or trellises, set them up when you sow your seeds. This avoids disturbing the roots of newly emerging seedlings and young plants later on.
In some areas there may still be a risk of frost, so keep an eye on the weather report and be ready to protect your plants from a sudden cold snap. A layer of mulch or frost cloth, or even a cloche over early seedlings can help.
Pests and diseases to look out for in spring:
Slugs and snails: Snail and slug eggs that have overwintered begin to hatch as the weather warms up. Baby snails and slugs start feeding immediately and cause as much damage to flowers and vegetable seedlings as the adults. Control and reduce their number by picking them off and removing weeds and places that provide refuge for them. If you choose to use bait, do so with caution as most baits can be toxic to pets and other wildlife.
Sap-sucking insects: Infestations of aphids and whitefly can detrimentally affect your plants. Female aphids can give birth to live young without the need to mate, and colonies multiply very rapidly when conditions are favourable. Adult whiteflies are usually only seen when they are disturbed and fly up in a cloud. Try physically removing these pests by squirting with a garden hose, or use a homemade pyrethrum spray or eco oil.
Product code: SS_FLO_ARID_SPR_2025
Contains
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1 x Marigold, French- Bolero (Tagetes patula)
Annual growing to 30cm with a bushy compact habit. The double flowers are a fiery mix of mahogany with gold centres. Suitable for beds, borders, edging and containers. Attracts pollinators; a good companion plant in the vegetable garden. Fast and easy to grow, tolerant of drought, heat and poor soil.
Life Cycle: Half hardy Annual
Plant Height: 30cm
Position: Full sun, moist well drained soil -
1 x Californian Poppy- Sundew (Eschscholzia californica)
Annual growing to 20cm. This dwarf Californian poppy produces pale lemon cup shaped flowers on stems above compact fine grey/green fern-like foliage. Flowers close in dull weather. Great for beds, borders and rock gardens. Can be grown in poor soil. Drought tolerant.
Life Cycle: Hardy Annual
Plant Height: 20cm
Position: Full sun, well drained soil -
1 x Yarrow- Cerise Queen (Achillea millefolium)
Perennial growing to 60cm. Erect plants with attractive dark green fern-like leaves that produce tall stems with clusters of small flowers in magenta, and pink shades. Good for borders. Makes an excellent dried or cut flower. Drought tolerant and often grown to prevent soil erosion.
Life Cycle: Hardy Perennial
Plant Height: 60cm
Position: Part or full sun, moist well drained soil -
1 x Chrysanthemum- Rainbow Single Mix (Ismelia carinata)
Annual growing to 60cm. Upright plants have long green leaves and produce single daisy like flowers in a mix of colours. The flowers are bi or tri-coloured often with highly contrasting shades. Good for beds, borders, edges and as a cut flower. Attracts butterflies. Easy to grow. Also known as Painted Daisy and Summer Chrysanthemum.
Life Cycle: Half hardy Annual
Plant Height: 60cm
Position: Full sun, moist well drained soil -
1 x Celosia- Flamingo Feather (Celosia spicata)
Annual growing to 80cm. Plants have dark green foliage and produce long upward spikes covered in feathery flowers that are a mix of silvery-white and light pink. Good for borders and mass plantings. Makes an excellent and long lasting cut flower. Great for dried arrangements. Long flowering.
Life Cycle: Frost tender Annual
Plant Height: 80cm
Position: Part or full sun, moist well drained soil -
1 x Coreopsis- Mayfield Giants (Coreopsis lanceolata)
Perennial to 90cm. Plants have a compact clumping habit with green foliage producing an abundance of large daisy-like golden coloured blooms throughout spring and summer. Robust and drought tolerant once established. Great for beds, borders, pots and container planting. Makes an excellent cut flower. Great for attracting butterflies to the garden. Also known as "Tickseed" or "American Daisy".
Life Cycle: Hardy Perennial
Plant Height: 90cm
Position: Full sun, well drained soil -
1 x Schizanthus- Dr. Badgers Mixed (Schizanthus x wisetonensis)
Annual growing to 55cm. Plants with pale green stems that produce an abundance of orchid-like flowers in a variety of colours which may include; white, red, pink and violet. Long flowering variety. Good for garden beds and as a cut flower. Sometimes referred to as 'Poor Mans Orchid' or 'Butterfly Flower'.
Life Cycle: Frost tender Annual
Plant Height: 55cm
Position: Part or full sun, moist well drained soil -
1 x Calendula- Touch of Red Buff (Calendula officinalis)
A fast growing annual to 60cm. Petals in shades of coffee and cream with a russet to crimson underside give an antique effect to the flowers. Leaves are light green and lance-shaped, 5-10cm long. Equally effective in mass plantings or as a cut flower. Easy to grow. Attracts beneficial insects.
The 'Touch of Red' series of premium calendula seeds have showy daisy like flowers with a russet edge and underside to the petals, giving the flowers an antique look with a unique 'touch of red'. The large flowers are 5-10cm across, single to fully double, with dark centres. An excellent choice for borders, beds, containers and cut flowers. Plants flower over a long period from late autumn to spring in areas with mild winters.
Life Cycle: Hardy Annual
Plant Height: 60cm
Position: Part or full sun, moist soil -
1 x Pincushion Flower- Burgundy Beau (Scabiosa atropurpurea )
A short lived perennial growing to 60cm with a clump of serrated green leaves at the base and wiry stems bearing solitary flowers. The flowers are rich burgundy to plum coloured, domed in the centre with frilled outer petals.
Suited to cottage gardens, borders and beds, and also as a cut flower. Low maintenance and drought tolerant once established. Attracts bees, butterflies and beneficial insects. Also known as 'Sweet Scabious', 'Pincushions', 'Mournful Widow' and 'Scabieuse'.
Life Cycle: Frost Hardy Perennial (short lived)
Plant Height: 60cm
Position: Full sun, moist well drained soil -
1 x Nasturtium- Whirlybird Mix (Tropaeolum majus)
Annual. Compact non trailing plants that grow to around 30cm tall. Plants have bright green leaves and produce bright spurless flowers in a mix of attractive colours. Good for beds, borders, rockeries, containers and hanging baskets. Tolerates poor soil.
Life Cycle: Frost tender Annual
Plant Height: 30cm
Position: Part or full sun, moist well drained soil
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Shipping
We deliver Australia wide.
All orders are dispatched from our warehouse in Knoxfield, Victoria, Australia.
We do not deliver overseas.
Shipping cost is calculated using all the items in your shopping cart and your delivery postcode. The table below outlines the delivery options and costs.
Order dispatch time is currently 5-7 business days plus delivery time.
Please note we are unable to guarantee specific delivery dates or delivery timeframes, all delivery times are estimates only.
| Order contains: | Delivery options: | Delivery cost per order | |
|---|---|---|---|
| VIC, NSW, ACT, QLD, TAS, SA, NT | WA | ||
| Small seed packets ONLY - | Economy Delivery | $3.00 or FREE on orders over $25 | $5 |
| Parcel Delivery | Capped rate of $8.99 | ||
| Express Delivery | $15.00 | ||
|
BULK seed, garden supplies, tools, or accessories - |
Parcel Delivery |
Capped rate of $8.99 |
|
|
Express Delivery |
Starting from $15.00 (Calculated by weight) |
||
| Live Plants - | Live plants | Capped rate of $10.00 | |
*All orders sent to Western Australia are subject to mandatory inspection and fees by Quarantine WA. These fees are included in all shipping costs above.
**We will replace all orders that are lost or damaged in transit however we will not replace or refund orders simply because they were delivered later than estimated. Full details here.
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