GrowCalAustralia

Melbourne, VIC · Cool temperate

What to plant in Melbourne in September

A data-backed september 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 September

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

Avocado

Plant out · Feed & fertilise

Drainage matters more than anything else — plant high on a mound. This is a september action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Basil

Sow seeds

Sow into punnets once frost has passed and pinch out flower buds to keep leaves coming. This is a september action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Beetroot

Sow seeds

Thin seedlings early — each seed cluster produces several plants. This is a september action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Blueberry

Plant out

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

Cabbage

Sow seeds

Space generously and net against cabbage whites. This is a september action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Capsicum

Sow seeds

Needs warmth to set fruit; stake laden branches. This is a september action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Celery

Sow seeds

Plant in a block for longer stems, and never let it dry out. This is a september action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Chilli

Sow seeds · Feed & fertilise

Start in punnets and plant out once nights are warm; pots suit cool zones. This is a september action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Chives

Sow seeds · Plant out

Plant in clumps and cut leaves at the base; divide established clumps to make more. This is a september 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 september action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Cucumber

Sow seeds

Train up a trellis for straighter fruit and far less mildew. This is a september 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 september 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 september action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Ginger

Plant out

Plant rhizome pieces into a warm, shady spot and leave them a full season to bulk up. This is a september 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 september action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Leek

Sow seeds

Plant deep and mound soil up the stems for a long white shank. This is a september action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Lemon

Plant out · Feed & fertilise

The most forgiving citrus, and the one most worth a big pot. This is a september action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Lemongrass

Sow seeds

Full sun and moist, well-drained soil; it is frost tender, so pot it in cold districts. This is a september action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Lime

Plant out · Feed & fertilise

Tahitian lime is the reliable backyard pick; West Indian lime resents cold. This is a september action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Mandarin

Plant out · Feed & fertilise

Thin-skinned and easy to peel — the best citrus for a small yard. This is a september action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Mint

Sow seeds · Plant out

Plant into a pot or a contained bed — mint runs, and it prefers moist soil in light shade. This is a september 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 september action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Orange

Plant out · Feed & fertilise

Feed three times a year and keep the trunk clear of mulch. This is a september 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 september 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 september action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Parsnip

Sow seeds

Sow fresh seed straight into deeply dug soil and be patient with germination. This is a september 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 september action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Pumpkin

Sow seeds

Give it room to run, and hand-pollinate early in the morning for reliable fruit. This is a september action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Rocket

Sow seeds

Fast, hardy and best picked young; water well or it turns hot and bitter. This is a september action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Rockmelon

Sow seeds · Feed & fertilise

Frost sensitive and hungry for sun — give it six hours a day and room to spread. This is a september action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Rosemary

Sow seeds

Give it hot, dry, well-drained conditions; in the tropics and subtropics keep it in a pot. This is a september action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Sage

Sow seeds · Prune

A permanent full-sun spot with very sharp drainage; do not enrich the soil. This is a september 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 september action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Spring Onion

Sow seeds

Grown as a cut-and-come-again crop; a few clumps cover most kitchen needs. This is a september action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Thyme

Sow seeds · Plant out

Full sun and gritty, free-draining soil; shear off spent flowerheads to keep new growth coming. This is a september action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Tomato

Plant out

Plant deeply, stake early and water at the base to keep leaves dry. This is a september action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Watermelon

Sow seeds · Feed & fertilise

Sow into warm soil with room to run, and ease off water once the fruit sizes up. This is a september action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Zucchini

Sow seeds

Two plants feed a household. Harvest small and often. This is a september action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

September 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

  • AvocadoPlant out · Feed & fertilise
  • LemonPlant out · Feed & fertilise
  • LimePlant out · Feed & fertilise
  • MandarinPlant out · Feed & fertilise
  • OrangePlant out · Feed & fertilise

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.

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