GrowCalAustralia

Canberra, ACT · Cool temperate, frosty

What to plant in Canberra in August

A data-backed august starting point for the Canberra & the ACT growing profile. GrowCal uses this profile to resolve the baseline schedule for each plant.

What to plant in August

These plants have dated GrowCal schedule data for this regional profile and include a sow or plant-out action in August. Select a plant name to read its broader Australian guide.

Apple

Plant out

Buy bare-rooted in winter and match the variety to your winter chill. This is a august action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Apricot

Plant out

Wants a dry spring — wet flowering weather ruins the crop. This is a august action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Asparagus

Plant out

A twenty-year crop: plant crowns in winter, then wait before your first real pick. This is a august action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Blueberry

Plant out

Match the variety to your winter chill and keep the soil acidic. This is a august action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Broad Beans

Sow seeds

A winter crop that feeds the soil; stake it if the site is windy. This is a august action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Broccoli

Sow seeds

Feed well, watch for cabbage white caterpillars and cut the main head before it opens. This is a august action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Brussels Sprouts

Sow seeds

A long, cold-season crop — worth the wait after the first frosts. This is a august action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Cherry

Plant out

The highest chill requirement of the stone fruits — a genuinely cold-climate tree. This is a august action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Coriander

Sow seeds · Plant out

Sow direct into cool-season beds and keep it moist; heat and root disturbance make it bolt. This is a august action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Dill

Sow seeds

Sow direct in a sheltered sunny spot; it runs to seed quickly, so keep sowing. This is a august action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Kiwifruit

Plant out

Needs a strong frame, a cold winter, and usually a male and female vine. This is a august action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Lettuce

Sow seeds

Pick outer leaves and keep water up — heat and dryness turn lettuce bitter. This is a august action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Nectarine

Plant out

A smooth-skinned peach with the same pruning and fruit fly routine. This is a august action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Onion

Sow seeds

Choose a variety matched to your day length and keep the bed weed free. This is a august action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Parsley

Sow seeds

Direct sow or plant seedlings; cut outer stems at the base so the plant keeps reshooting. This is a august action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Peach

Plant out

Prune every year — peaches fruit on last season's wood. This is a august action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Pear

Plant out

A cool-climate tree that needs a proper winter to crop well. This is a august action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Peas

Sow seeds

Get the trellis in before sowing; peas hate root disturbance. This is a august action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Plum

Plant out

Most plums crop better with a second compatible variety nearby. This is a august action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Potato

Plant out

Plant certified seed potatoes in well-drained soil and mound as they grow. This is a august action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Radish

Sow seeds

The quickest crop in the patch and a good one for impatient kids. This is a august action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Raspberry

Plant out · Prune

Know whether your canes fruit in summer or autumn — it changes how you prune. This is a august action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Snow Peas

Sow seeds

Sow direct into damp soil, give them something to climb, and pick often. This is a august action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Spinach

Sow seeds

Grow it fast and keep the water up, or the leaves turn bitter. This is a august action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Strawberry

Sow seeds · Feed & fertilise

Plant runners into free-draining soil, mulch with straw and feed while fruiting. This is a august action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Turnip

Sow seeds

Quick and forgiving; pull them young for the best texture. This is a august action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

August garden jobs

GrowCal also surfaces maintenance and harvest actions when the resolved schedule lists them for this month.

Vegetables

Herbs

Fruit & Berries

Fruit Trees & Citrus

Why timing varies locally

Canberra is not one uniform growing environment. This page uses the mapped Canberra & the ACT profile, while a nearby locality may resolve differently. Frost pockets, shade, soil, aspect and the variety you grow can all change what is sensible in a particular garden. Treat these dates as a prompt to look at your garden, not a rigid instruction.

Read the GrowCal data & methodology for sources, validation status and limitations.

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