Omari Gates
Australia's climate varies across the country, with different zones such as tropical, sub-tropical, arid, warm temperate, and cool climate zones. Each zone has unique characteristics that influence the types of vegetables that can be grown during the summer months. For example, the tropical zone includes coastal areas like Mackay, Townsville, Cairns, Darwin, and Broome, known for their high humidity. In contrast, the arid climate zone covers almost all inland areas across the states, with hot, dry summers. Despite these differences, there are several vegetables that Australians can commonly grow during summer, including tomatoes, capsicums, cucumbers, eggplants, and chillies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vegetables that grow in summer in Australia | Beans, Beetroot, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celery, Chicory, Chilli, Chinese Cabbage, Cucumber, Eggplant, Endive, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Okra, Parsnip, Potato, Radish, Rhubarb, Shallots, Silver Beet, Spring Onion, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potato, Zucchini |
| Vegetables that grow in summer in tropical Australia | Beans, Beetroot, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Cucumber, English Spinach, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Nectarines, Onion, Parsnip, Spicy Peppers, Pumpkin, Spring Squash, Swede, Sweet Corn, Tomato, Turnip, Zucchini |
| Vegetables that grow in summer in sub-tropical Australia | Capsicum, Lettuce, Chilli, Basil, Mint, Thyme, Sage |
| Vegetables that grow in summer in warm temperate Australia | Tigerella (heirloom tomato), Strawberries, Pak Choy, Tatsoi, Mizuna, Corn, Okra, Zucchini, Chillies, Eggplant |
| Vegetables that grow in summer in cool climate Australia | N/A |
| Vegetables that grow in summer in arid climate Australia | N/A |
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What You'll Learn
Climbing beans, including snake beans and lazy housewife beans
Climbing beans are a great choice for those short of space, as they are much more space-efficient than bush beans. They are also generally hardier than bush beans and produce beans over a longer period.
If you live in the southern parts of Australia, you would have ideally sown your beans in spring. However, if you live in the tropics or subtropics, you should sow in autumn. In the subtropics, you get two shots at sowing—in spring and autumn. Climbing beans thrive in warm, wet, and humid weather.
Climbing beans require support to grow, so you will need to sow the seeds next to a trellis or support. For an ongoing supply, make successive sowings of both climbing and bush beans every few weeks. You can also sow bush beans first and then sow a crop of climbing beans.
Snake beans are a type of climbing bean that is a staple in the tropics and subtropics. They thrive in warm, wet, and humid weather and are even more productive than green beans.
Lazy Housewife beans, also known as Lazy Wife or Sofia, are another type of climbing bean. They are highly productive and have delicious stringless pods. They have white flowers and white seeds.
Climbing beans are usually ready for harvest 8-10 weeks from sowing. Harvest regularly to encourage new flowers and pods.
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Root vegetables, including beetroot, carrot and parsnips
Beetroot is easy to grow in any climate. In tropical and subtropical areas of Australia, such as Townsville, Cairns, Darwin, Katherine and Broome, grow beetroot anytime outside the hottest and wettest months of the year. In the southern half of Australia, which includes the cool climate zones of Tasmania, mountain and inland areas of New South Wales, Victoria and the tablelands of the ACT, sow beetroot from spring to autumn. Beetroot seeds should be kept damp after sowing and are slow to germinate, so they are best planted in late summer to autumn.
Carrots are perfect for home gardens as they yield a big harvest in a small space. They can be grown in a similar way to beetroot, with seeds kept damp after sowing, and they take up to 20 weeks to fully mature.
Parsnips, like other root vegetables, prefer a pH range of 6.5–7.5, with a slightly acidic pH of 6.5. They also prefer loose, friable soil, free from large rocks or clumps of organic matter. Parsnips should be stored in a silicone or plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
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Pumpkins and squashes
When growing pumpkins, it is important to choose a sunny spot that provides ample space, as each vine can take up about 1m² of space. Pumpkins thrive in compost-rich, moist, and well-drained soil. They should be given privacy and protected from being trodden on, cut, or damaged. Pumpkins also benefit from crop rotation; it is recommended to wait two years after planting other members of the pumpkin family, such as cucumbers, melons, squashes, and zucchinis, before planting pumpkins in the same patch.
Some popular varieties of pumpkins and squashes in Australia include the Butternut squash, Spaghetti squash, and the Turkish Turbin, which is known for its unique appearance resembling a Turk's turban.
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Tomatoes, including the Tigerella variety
Tomatoes are suited to a temperate climate and thrive in warm summer temperatures. They can be grown in all climates, from tropical to temperate, but will require different treatments. In tropical and subtropical climates, they can be grown all year round and harvested in the dry season (autumn and winter). In temperate, cool, and cold climates, sow from spring.
Tomatoes are easy to grow and can be grown in a pot, indoors, or in a garden bed. They enjoy warm, sunny environments where temperatures average between 21 and 29°C. Choose a spot that gets at least six to eight hours of sun a day, in a well-drained area. Keep the soil moist—it should retain moisture well without being too wet.
When planting, put the seeds 6mm deep and space them about 60cm apart. This will give the tomato vines enough room to spread. You can also plant them a little deeper, as they will grow roots along any stem that comes into contact with the soil. If planting seedlings, wait until they are around 5-10cm tall before transplanting them to their final position.
Tomato plants need support as they grow. They are a vine fruit and need to be supported by a trellis. Use bamboo stakes to build a teepee tunnel above your plants, and tie horizontal bamboo to the vertical stakes at 20cm intervals. Train the tomato stems to weave around them as they grow.
Tigerella tomatoes are an heirloom variety with a rich, sweet, and tangy flavour. They are highly prolific, with good disease resistance, and produce medium-sized fruit. They are a bright red variety with striking orange stripes. They can be sown directly into the garden, or seedlings can be raised in trays or other containers and transplanted to the garden once established. They take between 7 and 13 days to germinate and are ready to harvest 12 to 15 weeks after sowing.
Tigerella tomatoes can be grown in all climate zones. In temperate areas, sow the seeds in spring, after the risk of frost has passed. In frost-free, subtropical areas, sow from early autumn to early spring. In tropical areas, sow during the dry season, from late autumn to mid-winter.
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Herbs, including basil, mint, thyme and sage
Herbs, including basil, mint, thyme, and sage, can be grown in the Australian summer.
Basil
Sweet basil is a gross feeder, meaning it needs lots of food. Liquid seaweed, worm wee, or liquid manure should be applied frequently through the growing season for fragrant, healthy, tasty basil. Basil also likes it fairly damp, so be sure to water it regularly. To check if your basil needs water, stick your finger into the soil. If it comes out damp, you're good to go. Basil also has a few pest and disease issues, including snails and caterpillars. To avoid this, pick basil often. Oft-picked basil will not go leggy and doesn't set seed too early.
Mint
Mint can be grown all year round in Melbourne, but it is recommended to wait until August or September before planting. Mint grows best in spring, as the ample rainfall provides optimal conditions. In summer, it can get too dry for luxurious growth, and in winter, the cold may cause some mint plants to be deciduous. Mint is usually cultivated from cuttings, runners, or root division. It is often grown in pots due to its invasive nature, but even in pots, it can spread due to its tendency to send out runners from the base.
Thyme
Thyme is a kitchen garden staple that is easy to grow and almost maintenance-free. It grows well in all climates and areas and is drought-tolerant once established. It is a hardy herb that is not fussy about soil, pH, or water. Thyme can be grown in dry or difficult areas of the garden as a ground cover to inhibit weed growth. It can also be grown in the herb and kitchen garden as a fresh ingredient, or in pots in small gardens or on balconies for ease of harvest.
Sage
Sage grows well from seeds, but it is slow-developing. It is best planted at soil temperatures between 10°C and 25°C. Sage does not like soil that is moist all the time, so avoid frequent watering, even in the middle of summer. Sage will grow almost anywhere as long as it is in full sun for most of the day.
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Frequently asked questions
Tropical regions of Australia, such as Mackay, Townsville, Cairns, Darwin, Katherine, and Broome, are hot and humid in the summer. Vegetables that grow well in these conditions include beans, beetroot, carrot, capsicum, Asian greens, sweetcorn, and tomato.
The warm temperate zone, which includes Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth, experiences warm summers. Vegetables that grow well in these conditions include cucumbers, lettuce, eggplant, and chilli.
Cool climate zones, such as Tasmania, mountain areas of New South Wales, Victoria, and the ACT, are chilly in the summer. Vegetables that grow well in these conditions include strawberries, spring onions, and pumpkins.
