Lexi Webster
February is a great time to start preparing your garden for autumn planting. While the weather may be too hot or wet in some parts of Australia, there are still plenty of gardening tasks to keep you busy. From removing spent plants and weeds to topping up mulch and preparing vegetable garden beds, there's something for everyone. For those in cool and warm temperate zones, February is the perfect time to plant seeds of broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, mustard, chicory, lettuce, Asian greens, and more. If you're in a frost-free area, try sowing dwarf cucurbits like watermelon and cucumber. And if you're in the tropics, make use of breaks in the weather to plant traditional vegetables that will be ready in the June/July growing window. So grab your gardening tools and get ready to grow!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Month | February |
| Location | Australia |
| Weather | Hot and dry in some regions; wet in the tropics |
| Garden Maintenance | Weeding, mulching, pruning, removing spent plants |
| Vegetables to Plant | Broccoli, beetroot, silverbeet, snowpeas, tomatoes, capsicum, rocket, lettuce, dill, coriander, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, mustard, chicory, Asian greens, carrot, parsnip, turnip, radish, cucumber, celery, peas |
| Fruits to Plant | Strawberries |
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What You'll Learn
Vegetables and herbs to plant in different climate zones
February is a great month to start preparing your garden for autumn planting. Here are some vegetables and herbs that you can plant in Australia's different climate zones:
Cool temperate and warm temperate zones: Late February is the time to plant broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, mustard, chicory, lettuce, Asian greens, mizuna, rocket, leek, spring onion, celery, Florence fennel, carrot, parsnip, turnip, radish, beetroot, silverbeet, and coriander.
Arid/semi-arid zones: These areas may still be too hot for planting, but if you have sheltered spaces and can provide extra water, you can start winter vegetables like dwarf cucurbits (watermelon and cucumber).
Tropical zones: February is usually the wettest month in the tropics, so you might want to wait for drier spells to plant vegetables like broccoli, beetroot, silverbeet, snowpeas, tomatoes, capsicum, rocket, lettuce, dill, and coriander.
In addition to the above, here are some general tips for your February garden:
- Dig your vegetable garden beds in preparation for autumn crops.
- Remove spent plants and weeds, and top up the mulch in your vegetable patches.
- If you have summer crops like tomatoes, eggplant, and capsicum still growing, provide them with some shade on hot days.
- Consider planting peas if you live in a sunny area, as they require plenty of sunlight for a good harvest.
- Start thinking about preparing your garden for autumn planting by removing spent plants, clearing weeds, and adding organic matter to your beds.
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Preparing your garden for autumn planting
February is a great month to start preparing your garden for autumn planting. Here are some tips to get your garden ready:
Know your climate zone
First, it is important to know your climate zone as this will determine the specific plants you can grow and the maintenance tasks required. If you are unsure about your zone, you can ask at your local nursery or refer to a gardening guide for your region.
Remove spent plants and weeds
Clear your garden beds and plots by removing any spent plants and weeds. This includes removing spent agapanthus and hydrangea blooms, pruning murrayas and fuschias, and cutting back herbaceous perennials that have already flowered. Weeding is essential to reduce competition for your new plants and promote healthy growth.
Top up mulch and organic matter
Add a layer of sustainable mulch to your vegetable patches, herb gardens, and ornamental beds. This will help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and improve the soil's fertility. You can also top up the organic matter in your soil by mixing in some good organic compost.
Prepare for shading
Construct simple, movable shade cloth tents that you can place over sun-sensitive vegetables like eggplant and capsicum as the weather becomes warmer. These tents will provide protection on hot, high UV days, windy days, and even during your holidays.
Start planting
Depending on your climate zone, you may be able to start planting your autumn crops. For example, in cool temperate and warm temperate zones, February is a good month to plant seeds of broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, lettuce, carrots, beetroot, and various herbs. In frost-free areas, you can try sowing dwarf cucurbits like watermelon and cucumber. Remember to protect young seedlings with shade cloth and ensure they are well-watered until they establish.
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What to remove from your garden
February is a great month to start preparing your garden for autumn planting. Here are some things you should consider removing from your garden:
Spent Plants and Weeds
It is essential to remove spent plants and clear areas of weeds to make room for new growth and ensure your garden is ready for autumn planting. This includes removing spent agapanthus and hydrangea blooms, which can be cut back to promote healthy growth.
Diseased Leaves
Check your tomato plants and remove any diseased lower leaves to prevent the spread of disease to the rest of the plant or other nearby plants.
Pruning
Pruning is necessary for some plants to maintain their shape and encourage new growth. In February, prune murrayas once they finish flowering and fuschias that have become straggly or overgrown.
Sunburnt Leaves
Although it may be tempting to remove sunburnt leaves, it is best to resist the urge and leave them for now. These shrivelled leaves act as a protective shield against further sun damage to the healthy growth beneath. Wait until the weather cools down a bit before removing them.
Overgrown Veggie Garden Beds
Dig up and prepare your veggie garden beds for planting autumn crops. It is important to create space and provide room for new plants to thrive.
By removing these items from your garden, you will create a healthier and more vibrant space for your new plants to grow and flourish as the seasons change.
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Vegetables to plant in Sydney
February is a great month to start preparing your garden for autumn planting. Here are some vegetables you can plant in Sydney during this month:
Broccoli
Broccoli can be grown in seed trays and planted outdoors after 4-6 weeks. You can start harvesting from June onwards. Broccoli is a good option for those in cool and warm temperate climates.
Beetroot
Beetroot can be sown directly into the soil and will be ready for harvest around June. This vegetable is suitable for those in temperate zones.
Silverbeet
Silverbeet can be sown directly into the soil, with a harvest period starting in June. Silverbeet is another vegetable that grows well in temperate climates.
Carrots
Carrots can be sown directly into the soil and will be ready for harvest around July. This root vegetable thrives when planted in February in Sydney's temperate climate.
Lettuce
Lettuce is a good option for those in the tropics, as February is the wettest month, providing ample water for this leafy vegetable. You can start lettuce seeds in punnets and keep them in a shade cloth greenhouse until they're ready to be planted outdoors.
In addition to the above, you can also start preparing your garden beds by removing spent plants, clearing weeds, and topping up organic matter to ensure your garden is ready for autumn planting.
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Gardening in extreme weather
Gardening in Hot and Dry Conditions:
- In regions experiencing dry and hot weather, such as Victorian and Tasmania, it is essential to focus on moisture retention in the soil. Ensure your garden beds are well-mulched to help retain moisture and suppress weed growth.
- Shade cloth structures can be placed over sun-sensitive vegetables like eggplant and capsicum to protect them from intense heat.
- For planting, choose heat-tolerant crops such as tomatoes, eggplant, capsicum, and silverbeet.
- Avoid planting cool-season crops as they will struggle in the hot and dry conditions.
- Water your plants regularly, especially during the hottest parts of the day, to keep them hydrated and healthy.
Gardening in Wet Conditions:
- For those in tropical regions, February is typically the wettest month. Take advantage of breaks in the weather to plant traditional vegetables with short growing windows, such as broccoli, beetroot, snowpeas, and dill.
- Start seeds in punnets and keep them in a shadecloth greenhouse. Transplant them once they are ready to harden off.
- Avoid planting crops that require full sun and well-drained soil, as they will struggle in the wet conditions.
- Ensure your garden has good drainage to prevent waterlogging and root rot.
General Tips for February Gardening:
- It's time to start preparing your garden for autumn planting. Dig your vegetable garden beds and remove spent plants and weeds.
- Top up the mulch on your vegetable patches and herb gardens.
- Prune and cut back spent blooms and diseased leaves to promote healthy growth.
- In late February, plant seeds of broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, lettuce, carrots, beetroot, and coriander.
Remember to adapt these suggestions to your specific climate zone and always keep an eye on the weather forecast to make the most of breaks in extreme conditions. With careful planning and the right plant choices, you can have a successful garden even in challenging weather.
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Frequently asked questions
In February, you can start planting your autumn crops. If you live in a cool temperate or warm temperate zone, you can plant broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, mustard, chicory, lettuce, Asian greens, mizuna, rocket, leek, spring onion, celery, Florence fennel, carrot, parsnip, turnip, radish, beetroot, silverbeet, and coriander. If you live in the tropics, you can make the most of breaks in the weather to plant broccoli, beetroot, silverbeet, snow peas, tomatoes, capsicum, rocket, lettuce, dill, and coriander.
In February, you should remove spent agapanthus and hydrangea blooms. You should also prune fuschias that have become straggly.
February is a great month to weed your garden, as this will reduce competition for your plants. You should also top up the mulch on your vegetable patches, herb gardens, and ornamental beds. If you want to grow strawberries, February is a good time to prepare your crop.
February is a very hot month in Australia, so be sure to wait until the heat of the day is off before spending time in the garden. If you do plant anything, protect young seedlings with shade cloth and keep plants well-watered until they are established.
