Basil
Plant out
Sow into punnets once frost has passed and pinch out flower buds to keep leaves coming. This is a january action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Melbourne, VIC · Cool temperate
What to plant in Melbourne in January
A data-backed january starting point for the Melbourne & Port Phillip growing profile. GrowCal uses this profile to resolve the baseline schedule for each plant.
What to plant in January
These plants have dated GrowCal schedule data for this regional profile and include a sow or plant-out action in January. Select a plant name to read its broader Australian guide.
Chives
Sow seeds · Plant out
Plant in clumps and cut leaves at the base; divide established clumps to make more. This is a january 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 january action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Dill
Sow seeds · Plant out
Sow direct in a sheltered sunny spot; it runs to seed quickly, so keep sowing. This is a january action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Fennel
Sow seeds · Plant out · Feed & fertilise
Grown for the swollen bulb; blanch it late to keep the flavour sweet. This is a january action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Lemongrass
Plant out
Full sun and moist, well-drained soil; it is frost tender, so pot it in cold districts. This is a january action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Mint
Plant out
Plant into a pot or a contained bed — mint runs, and it prefers moist soil in light shade. This is a january action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Oregano
Sow seeds · Plant out
Keep it on the dry side and harvest often — unpicked plants turn hard and woody. This is a january action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Parsley
Sow seeds · Plant out
Direct sow or plant seedlings; cut outer stems at the base so the plant keeps reshooting. This is a january action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Rosemary
Plant out
Give it hot, dry, well-drained conditions; in the tropics and subtropics keep it in a pot. This is a january action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
January garden jobs
GrowCal also surfaces maintenance and harvest actions when the resolved schedule lists them for this month.
Why timing varies locally
Melbourne is not one uniform growing environment. This page uses the mapped Melbourne & Port Phillip 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.
Ready to plan your year?
Enter your suburb, city or postcode to resolve the regional profile for your own garden and choose the plants you grow.
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