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.

climate map

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).
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!

Versatile and Easy to Grow

Nasturtiums thrive in poor soil. They actually produce more flowers in poor soil than in rich, well-fertilized soil. This makes them a great choice for spots where other plants wouldn't do well. There are many varieties available, and plants can be bushy, climbing, or cascading. The blooms come in shades of white, orange, red, yellow, and maroon. Dwarf varieties are great for containers. Nasturtiums need little care and germinate easily, making them ideal for beginners.

Fully Edible

The leaves, flowers, and seeds of nasturtium plants are edible, offering a variety of culinary possibilities. They are also a good source of vitamin C. Nasturtium flowers have a peppery taste that provides a flavorful punch. Add them to salads and sandwiches for a colorful burst of flavor or mix them with mayonnaise, soft cheese, or butter to create a spread. Of course, they also make a beautiful garnish.

The nasturtium leaves are more mild than the flowers, but still make a flavorful, peppery addition to salads and sandwiches. Add them to stir fry, pesto, soup, juice, or casseroles. Or stuff them and bake them in place of grape leaves. Fill leaves with chicken or tuna salad and roll them up for a low-carb snack or entrée. The round leaves also make a pretty garnish, particularly along with nasturtium flowers.

Nasturtium seeds also provide tempting possibilities in the kitchen. Harvest them for culinary use as soon as the flowers fall off, while the seeds are still green. Their taste and texture are similar to capers. Place washed seeds in a glass jar and cover with vinegar. After three days, they are ready to use as a substitute for capers. Pricking the seeds with a fork before putting them in the jar allows the vinegar to better penetrate the seeds. Or make your own seasoning by roasting dried seeds in the oven. Leave them whole to substitute for peppercorns or grind them instead of pepper for seasoning dishes.

Companion Plants

Plants that attract beneficial insects, repel pests, and otherwise increase crop productivity are called companion plants. Nasturtiums are a great companion plant for vegetables and roses. Nasturtiums are also a favorite of aphids and can be used as a sacrificial crop to protect more valuable plants. As the aphid population on the nasturtiums grows, it attracts lady bugs and other aphid-eating insects so that the problem often resolves itself. Luring aphids to one plant can also make them easier to deal with if you plan to practice your own methods of control. Besides handling aphids, nasturtiums are a good companion plant because the lovely flowers attract pollinators.

How to Grow Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums will self seed, so they will come back year after year. Sow seeds directly in a sunny or partly shady area of your garden in the spring or summer. The large seeds are easy to handle, making them a fun choice for kids to help plant. Keep the soil moist until the seeds sprout. Soaking the seeds overnight or nicking them encourages faster germination. Once established, nasturtiums don't need much water or care.

Growing nasturtiums is easy and creates a colorful addition to your garden and your plate. The seeds are inexpensive and easy to find, so give them a try and enjoy the benefits they offer.