Northern Rivers Vegetable Planting Calendar: What to Plant Now
The subtropical gardening guide for the Northern Rivers. Tweed to the Clarence, coastal plains to the hinterland ranges. 109 plants, monthly planting windows, and calendar notes tuned for the NSW end of the subtropical zone.
This is our Northern Rivers vegetable planting calendar, covering the Tweed, Byron, Ballina, Lismore, Kyogle and the Clarence Valley. It starts with what vegetables to plant now in the Northern Rivers, then goes through the whole year, with sowing windows set for the subtropical climate of the Northern Rivers of New South Wales. Further down you will find a sowing chart for popular vegetables, local timing notes, frost dates by postcode and a season-by-season guide, all from the same data that runs the Planting Season app. The month-by-month table below uses the Northern Rivers sowing windows from our data, which shift a few crops away from the SEQ baseline.
Where this guide covers
The Northern Rivers runs from the NSW/QLD border at the Tweed down to Grafton and the Clarence Valley, and inland to the ranges around Kyogle and the Tablelands. It is the southern end of Australia's east-coast subtropical zone, and most of the growing advice that works in South East Queensland works here too, with small shifts for cooler winter nights and a slightly shorter summer.
🌊 Coastal strip
Warm, humid, frost-free. Banana, passionfruit, finger lime, pawpaw, turmeric, lemongrass all thrive. Treat this like coastal SEQ with one extra week of summer at each end.
🌄 Hinterland valleys
Warm days, cool nights, occasional light winter frost in low pockets. Most subtropical fruit still works. Push winter sowing of tomato and capsicum two weeks later than the coast to dodge the last frost.
🌾 Lismore basin & Richmond Valley
Hotter summers than the coast, more frost risk in winter. Brassicas, peas and leafy greens do beautifully April to August. Stone fruit gets more chill than on the coast, so low-chill peaches and plums actually fruit here.
⛰️ Kyogle & the ranges
Cooler, higher rainfall, regular winter frost above 300m. Apples, figs and temperate berries start to work here. Tropical fruit is marginal above the frost line.
🐟 Clarence Valley
The southern edge. Milder summers than the Tweed, more winter chill inland. This is where the calendar starts to feel like coastal NSW rather than SEQ. Pecans, citrus and stone fruit all strong here.
How the Northern Rivers calendar differs from SEQ
The Northern Rivers sits about 200 km south of Brisbane and runs a bit cooler in winter, especially inland. For practical purposes the SEQ calendar is your starting point. Four small shifts worth knowing:
- Winter brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower) have a slightly longer window. You can push sowing into April and May more reliably than in Brisbane.
- Tomato and capsicum sown in late winter need another two weeks in the hinterland. Wait until late August on the coast, mid September inland.
- Low-chill stone fruit (peaches, plums, nectarines) fruits reliably here. It's marginal in SEQ without the chill hours.
- Tropical edge fruit (jackfruit, abiu, black sapote, soursop) works coastal but struggles in hinterland frost pockets. Stick to frost-tolerant favourites inland.
The plant library
The same 109-plant subtropical library used for SEQ covers the Northern Rivers. Sow months, spacing, companions, varieties, kitchen uses and storage are all the same. Where a plant behaves differently in the Northern Rivers (frost tolerance, chill-hour fruiting) the zone notes above apply.
Fruit Trees & Vines
Herbs
Fruiting Vegetables
Leafy Greens
Root Vegetables
Brassicas
Companion Flowers
Monthly planting windows
Use the SEQ monthly calendars as the baseline for Northern Rivers. The timings are accurate for the coastal strip. In the hinterland and Kyogle ranges, push winter-to-spring heat-lovers (tomato, capsicum, eggplant, basil) about two weeks later to clear the last frost risk.
Want frost dates for your own postcode, not just the region? Try the Frost Lookup.
Month-by-month vegetable planting calendar for the Northern Rivers
Every vegetable in our Northern Rivers calendar, grouped by the month you can sow or plant it. Each month links to its full page with herbs, fruit, spacing, harvest times and companions.
| Month | Vegetables to sow or plant | Count |
|---|---|---|
| January | Amaranth, Bitter Melon, Brazilian Spinach, Capsicum, Chilli, Cowpeas (Southern Peas), Cucumber, Edamame, Eggplant, Kang Kong (Water Spinach), Lablab, Lettuce, Lima (Butter) Beans, Malabar Spinach, Okra, Pigface, Pumpkin, Rockmelon, Silverbeet, Snake Beans, Spring Onion, Squash, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potato, Taro, Warrigal Greens, Water Chestnut, Watercress, Watermelon, Winged Beans, Zucchini | 31 |
| February | Amaranth, Beans (bush), Beetroot, Bitter Melon, Bok Choy, Brazilian Spinach, Broccoli, Cabbage, Capsicum, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Chicory, Chilli, Collards, Cowpeas (Southern Peas), Cucumber, Edamame, Eggplant, Florence Fennel, Kale, Kang Kong (Water Spinach), Komatsuna, Lettuce, Malabar Spinach, Mibuna, Okra, Pigface, Pumpkin, Radicchio, Silverbeet, Snake Beans, Spring Onion, Squash, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potato, Taro, Tomato, Warrigal Greens, Watercress, Watermelon, Winged Beans, Wombok, Zucchini | 44 |
| March | Amaranth, Beans (bush), Beetroot, Bok Choy, Brazilian Spinach, Broad Beans, Broccoli, Broccolini, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Collards, Cowpeas (Southern Peas), Cucumber, Daikon, Endive, Fennel, Florence Fennel, Gai Lan, Garlic, Globe Artichoke, Good King Henry, Hamburg Parsley, Kale, Kang Kong (Water Spinach), Kohlrabi, Komatsuna, Leek, Lettuce, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Onion, Peas, Pigface, Potato, Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Rocket, Salsify, Scarlet Runner Bean, Scorzonera, Shallot, Silverbeet, Snake Beans, Snow Peas, Sorrel, Spring Onion, Swede, Tatsoi, Tomato, Turnip, Warrigal Greens, Watercress, Wombok, Zucchini | 60 |
| April | Beans (bush), Beetroot, Bok Choy, Broad Beans, Broccoli, Broccolini, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Collards, Daikon, Endive, Fennel, Florence Fennel, Gai Lan, Garlic, Globe Artichoke, Good King Henry, Hamburg Parsley, Jerusalem Artichoke, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna, Leek, Lettuce, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Onion, Parsnip, Peas, Potato, Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Rocket, Salsify, Scarlet Runner Bean, Scorzonera, Shallot, Silverbeet, Snow Peas, Sorrel, Spinach, Spring Onion, Swede, Tatsoi, Tomato, Turnip, Watercress, Wombok | 54 |
| May | Beans (bush), Beetroot, Bok Choy, Broad Beans, Broccoli, Broccolini, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Collards, Daikon, Endive, Fennel, Florence Fennel, Gai Lan, Garlic, Globe Artichoke, Good King Henry, Hamburg Parsley, Jerusalem Artichoke, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna, Leek, Lettuce, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Onion, Parsnip, Peas, Potato, Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Rocket, Salsify, Scorzonera, Shallot, Silverbeet, Snow Peas, Sorrel, Spinach, Spring Onion, Swede, Tatsoi, Turnip, Watercress, Wombok | 52 |
| June | Beetroot, Bok Choy, Broad Beans, Broccoli, Broccolini, Cabbage, Carrot, Celery, Chicory, Collards, Daikon, Endive, Fennel, Gai Lan, Good King Henry, Hamburg Parsley, Horseradish, Jerusalem Artichoke, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna, Leek, Lettuce, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Onion, Parsnip, Peas, Potato, Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Rocket, Salsify, Scorzonera, Shallot, Silverbeet, Snow Peas, Sorrel, Spinach, Spring Onion, Swede, Tatsoi, Turnip, Watercress, Wombok | 47 |
| July | Asparagus, Beetroot, Bok Choy, Broad Beans, Broccolini, Carrot, Celery, Collards, Daikon, Endive, Fennel, Gai Lan, Good King Henry, Horseradish, Jerusalem Artichoke, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna, Leek, Lettuce, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Parsnip, Peas, Potato, Radish, Rhubarb, Rocket, Silverbeet, Snow Peas, Sorrel, Spinach, Spring Onion, Swede, Tatsoi, Turnip, Watercress, Wombok | 39 |
| August | Asparagus, Beetroot, Bok Choy, Broad Beans, Broccolini, Carrot, Collards, Daikon, Endive, Fennel, Gai Lan, Ginger, Globe Artichoke, Good King Henry, Horseradish, Jerusalem Artichoke, Kale, Komatsuna, Lettuce, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Peas, Potato, Radish, Rhubarb, Rocket, Silverbeet, Snow Peas, Sorrel, Spring Onion, Tatsoi, Turmeric, Turnip, Watercress | 35 |
| September | Amaranth, Asparagus, Beans (bush), Beetroot, Bitter Melon, Bok Choy, Brazilian Spinach, Capsicum, Carrot, Cassava, Chilli, Choko, Cowpeas (Southern Peas), Cucumber, Edamame, Eggplant, Gai Lan, Ginger, Globe Artichoke, Horseradish, Jicama (Yam Bean), Kang Kong (Water Spinach), Komatsuna, Lettuce, Lima (Butter) Beans, Luffa, Malabar Spinach, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Okra, Peanuts, Peas, Pigface, Popcorn, Pumpkin, Quinoa, Radish, Rocket, Rockmelon, Rosella, Scarlet Runner Bean, Silverbeet, Snake Beans, Snow Peas, Sorrel, Spring Onion, Squash, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potato, Taro, Tatsoi, Tomatillo, Tomato, Turmeric, Warrigal Greens, Watercress, Watermelon, Winged Beans, Zucchini | 60 |
| October | Amaranth, Beans (bush), Beetroot, Bitter Melon, Brazilian Spinach, Capsicum, Carrot, Cassava, Chilli, Choko, Cowpeas (Southern Peas), Cucumber, Edamame, Eggplant, Ginger, Jicama (Yam Bean), Kang Kong (Water Spinach), Lablab, Lettuce, Lima (Butter) Beans, Luffa, Malabar Spinach, Okra, Peanuts, Pigface, Popcorn, Pumpkin, Queensland Arrowroot, Quinoa, Rockmelon, Rosella, Scarlet Runner Bean, Silverbeet, Snake Beans, Sorghum, Spring Onion, Squash, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potato, Taro, Tomatillo, Turmeric, Warrigal Greens, Water Chestnut, Watercress, Watermelon, Winged Beans, Zucchini | 48 |
| November | Amaranth, Bitter Melon, Brazilian Spinach, Capsicum, Cassava, Chilli, Choko, Cowpeas (Southern Peas), Cucumber, Edamame, Eggplant, Ginger, Jicama (Yam Bean), Kang Kong (Water Spinach), Lablab, Lima (Butter) Beans, Luffa, Malabar Spinach, Okra, Peanuts, Pigface, Popcorn, Pumpkin, Queensland Arrowroot, Quinoa, Rockmelon, Rosella, Silverbeet, Snake Beans, Sorghum, Spring Onion, Squash, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potato, Taro, Tomatillo, Turmeric, Warrigal Greens, Water Chestnut, Watercress, Watermelon, Winged Beans, Zucchini | 43 |
| December | Amaranth, Bitter Melon, Brazilian Spinach, Capsicum, Chilli, Cowpeas (Southern Peas), Cucumber, Edamame, Eggplant, Kang Kong (Water Spinach), Lablab, Lima (Butter) Beans, Luffa, Malabar Spinach, Okra, Peanuts, Pigface, Popcorn, Pumpkin, Queensland Arrowroot, Rockmelon, Silverbeet, Snake Beans, Sorghum, Spring Onion, Squash, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potato, Taro, Warrigal Greens, Water Chestnut, Watercress, Watermelon, Winged Beans, Zucchini | 35 |
Northern Rivers vegetable sowing chart
33 popular crops, with the months you can sow or plant them in the Northern Rivers. Shaded months are open sowing windows, and the last column spells them out. Seed started indoors or in trays counts as a sowing where our data says so.
| Crop | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Sow or plant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb to Apr and Sep | ||||||||||||
| Capsicum | Sep to Feb | ||||||||||||
| Chilli | Sep to Feb | ||||||||||||
| Eggplant | Sep to Feb | ||||||||||||
| Zucchini | Sep to Mar | ||||||||||||
| Cucumber | Sep to Mar | ||||||||||||
| Pumpkin | Sep to Feb | ||||||||||||
| Sweet Corn | Sep to Feb | ||||||||||||
| Beans (bush) | Feb to May and Sep to Oct | ||||||||||||
| Peas | Mar to Sep | ||||||||||||
| Snow Peas | Mar to Sep | ||||||||||||
| Broad Beans | Mar to Aug | ||||||||||||
| Lettuce | Jan to Oct | ||||||||||||
| Spinach | Apr to Jul | ||||||||||||
| Silverbeet | all year | ||||||||||||
| Kale | Feb to Aug | ||||||||||||
| Bok Choy | Feb to Sep | ||||||||||||
| Broccoli | Feb to Jun | ||||||||||||
| Cabbage | Feb to Jun | ||||||||||||
| Cauliflower | Feb to May | ||||||||||||
| Carrot | Feb to Oct | ||||||||||||
| Beetroot | Feb to Oct | ||||||||||||
| Radish | Mar to Sep | ||||||||||||
| Onion | Mar to Jun | ||||||||||||
| Garlic | Mar to May | ||||||||||||
| Leek | Mar to Jul | ||||||||||||
| Potato | Mar to Aug | ||||||||||||
| Sweet Potato | Sep to Feb | ||||||||||||
| Basil | Sep to Mar | ||||||||||||
| Coriander | Mar to Aug | ||||||||||||
| Parsley | all year | ||||||||||||
| Strawberry | Mar to Jun | ||||||||||||
| Watermelon | Sep to Feb |
Local timing notes for the Northern Rivers
Where timing in the Northern Rivers differs from the baseline calendar, our data carries a local note. These are the same notes the app and the plant pages show for this region, and they explain the shape of the chart above.
- Tomato (Feb to Apr and Sep): Sow from February to April and again in September. In hinterland frost pockets, wait until mid September for the spring sowing.
- Capsicum (Sep to Feb): Push spring sowing 1-2 weeks later than Brisbane in hinterland.
- Chilli (Sep to Feb): Same as capsicum. Push spring sowing a week or two later than Brisbane in the hinterland.
- Eggplant (Sep to Feb): Same as capsicum. Wait out the last frost risk inland before spring sowing.
- Zucchini (Sep to Mar): Sow from September to March. Starting in September protects young plants in hinterland frost pockets.
- Cucumber (Sep to Mar): Sow from September to March. Inland, wait out the last frost risk before sowing.
- Pumpkin (Sep to Feb): Sow from September to February. Inland, make sure the frost risk has passed before sowing.
- Sweet Corn (Sep to Feb): Sow from September to February. Inland, make sure the frost risk has passed, as corn seedlings are cut down by a late frost.
- Beans (bush) (Feb to May and Sep to Oct): Sow from February to May and again in September and October. Starting spring sowings in September protects them in hinterland frost pockets.
- Peas (Mar to Sep): Slightly longer winter window than SEQ, especially inland.
- Snow Peas (Mar to Sep): Same window as shelling peas. Slightly longer winter season than SEQ, especially inland.
- Broad Beans (Mar to Aug): Slightly longer window than SEQ. Hinterland frosts help pod set.
- Broccoli (Feb to Jun): One more sowing month than SEQ. Colder winters suit brassicas.
- Cabbage (Feb to Jun): Longer window than Brisbane.
- Cauliflower (Feb to May): Longer winter window than SEQ.
- Basil (Sep to Mar): Very frost sensitive. Start later inland.
- Strawberry (Mar to Jun): Cooler winters mean a longer establishment window.
Why the Northern Rivers needs its own notes
Most Australian gardening advice is still written for Melbourne or Sydney. Those calendars tell you to plant tomatoes in spring and brassicas in autumn. Follow them in Ballina and you'll lose your tomatoes to humidity and miss the best brassica window entirely.
The Northern Rivers grows on the subtropical calendar. The best growing season here is April to September, which is the opposite of what the southern state gardening calendars recommend. Winter is dry, mild and productive. Summer is hot, wet and a battle against fungal disease and fruit fly. This guide is calibrated for that reality, not for Melbourne.
Local seed and plant sources
For varieties that actually work in a subtropical climate, source from suppliers who trial in similar zones:
- Green Harvest: Maleny (Sunshine Coast hinterland), subtropical seed specialists. Excellent for bananas, ginger, turmeric and heat-tolerant varieties.
- Eden Seeds: SEQ-based heirloom seeds, strong subtropical range.
- Local markets: Byron, Mullumbimby, Bangalow, Lismore Farmers Markets regularly have seedling stalls with varieties selected by local growers.
- Daley's Fruit Tree Nursery: Kyogle-based, the definitive subtropical fruit tree catalogue for this region.
Frost dates and climate in the Northern Rivers
Northern Rivers NSW has a subtropical climate, and our regional frost table lists it as effectively frost free, so the growing season runs all year. The calendar turns on the warm, wet season and the cool, dry season rather than on frost, and the cool, dry months are the main vegetable season.
Frost is local, so here is what the postcode records show for a few places across the Northern Rivers of New South Wales:
- Tweed Heads (2485): no frost recorded in 2011 to 2020, so tender crops can go in whenever the calendar allows.
- Byron Bay (2481): no frost recorded in 2011 to 2020, so tender crops can go in whenever the calendar allows.
- Ballina (2478): no frost recorded in 2011 to 2020, so tender crops can go in whenever the calendar allows.
- Lismore (2480): frost is rare, recorded in only 1 of the last 10 winters. When it comes, holding tender crops until about 21 August is the safe choice.
- Kyogle (2474): frost in 9 of the last 10 winters; typical last frost 19 July; safe for tender crops 9 years in 10 from 22 August; typical first frost 27 June; about 3 frosty mornings a year.
- Grafton (2460): no frost recorded in 2011 to 2020, so tender crops can go in whenever the calendar allows.
Enter your own postcode in the Frost Lookup for your typical last and first frost. Postcode figures: SILO (Queensland Government), daily minimum temperatures 2011 to 2020, CC BY 4.0.
Northern Rivers planting seasons: a season-by-season guide
The calendar above, read by season. Counts and crop lists come straight from the Northern Rivers sowing windows, so they change only when our data changes.
Spring in the Northern Rivers (September to November)
64 vegetables can be sown at some point in spring. Sowing windows that open: in September, Tomato, Capsicum, Chilli, Eggplant, Zucchini, Cucumber, Pumpkin, Sweet Corn, Beans (bush), Sweet Potato and 27 more; in October, Lablab, Queensland Arrowroot, Sorghum and Water Chestnut. Last chance before the season ends: September for Tomato, Peas, Snow Peas, Bok Choy, Radish, Asparagus, Gai Lan, Globe Artichoke, Horseradish, Komatsuna and 6 more; October for Beans (bush), Lettuce, Carrot, Beetroot and Scarlet Runner Bean. You can keep sowing Capsicum, Chilli, Eggplant, Zucchini, Cucumber, Pumpkin, Sweet Corn, Silverbeet, Sweet Potato, Watermelon, Amaranth, Bitter Melon, Brazilian Spinach, Cassava and 25 more through every month of it.
Summer in the Northern Rivers (December to February)
53 vegetables can be sown at some point in summer. Sowing windows that open: in January, Lettuce; in February, Tomato, Beans (bush), Kale, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot, Beetroot, Celeriac and 7 more. Last chance before the season ends: December for Luffa, Peanuts, Popcorn, Queensland Arrowroot and Sorghum; January for Lablab, Lima (Butter) Beans, Rockmelon and Water Chestnut. You can keep sowing Capsicum, Chilli, Eggplant, Zucchini, Cucumber, Pumpkin, Sweet Corn, Silverbeet, Sweet Potato, Watermelon, Amaranth, Bitter Melon, Brazilian Spinach, Cowpeas (Southern Peas) and 12 more through every month of it.
Autumn in the Northern Rivers (March to May)
63 vegetables can be sown at some point in autumn. Sowing windows that open: in March, Peas, Snow Peas, Broad Beans, Radish, Onion, Garlic, Leek, Potato, Broccolini, Celery and 20 more; in April, Spinach, Jerusalem Artichoke and Parsnip. Last chance before the season ends: March for Zucchini, Cucumber, Amaranth, Brazilian Spinach, Cowpeas (Southern Peas), Kang Kong (Water Spinach), Pigface, Snake Beans and Warrigal Greens; April for Tomato and Scarlet Runner Bean. You can keep sowing Beans (bush), Peas, Snow Peas, Broad Beans, Lettuce, Silverbeet, Kale, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot, Beetroot, Radish and 35 more through every month of it.
Winter in the Northern Rivers (June to August)
51 vegetables can be sown at some point in winter. Sowing windows that open: in June, Horseradish; in July, Asparagus; in August, Ginger, Globe Artichoke and Turmeric. Last chance before the season ends: June for Broccoli, Cabbage, Onion, Chicory, Hamburg Parsley, Radicchio, Salsify, Scorzonera and Shallot; July for Spinach, Leek, Celery, Kohlrabi, Parsnip, Swede and Wombok. You can keep sowing Peas, Snow Peas, Broad Beans, Lettuce, Silverbeet, Kale, Bok Choy, Carrot, Beetroot, Radish, Potato, Broccolini, Collards, Daikon and 17 more through every month of it. For more detail, see what to plant in winter in the Northern Rivers and the best winter vegetables across Australia.
Northern Rivers-Specific Guides
Guides written specifically for the Northern Rivers, covering coastal and hinterland conditions, subtropical fruit, and permaculture.
Coastal vs hinterland timing What to Plant in Winter
50+ crops for mild winters Growing Subtropical Fruit
Macadamia, avocado, coffee Start a Veggie Garden
Red soil, flood plain, humidity Permaculture in the NR
Food forests and banana circles
View all 5 Northern Rivers guides →
Growing Guides
In-depth guides for the most popular crops and techniques. These guides adapt to your region.
Free Monthly Planting Calendar
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Track your Northern Rivers garden
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Open the App Free →Planting calendars for other Australian cities
Gardening somewhere else? Each region has its own sowing windows, frost dates and month pages. For a national overview, see what vegetables to plant now across Australia.
- Sydney vegetable planting calendar
Sydney & Coastal NSW: warm temperate, effectively frost free. - Brisbane vegetable planting calendar
South East Queensland: subtropical, effectively frost free. - Melbourne vegetable planting calendar
Melbourne & Victoria: cool temperate, frost window 10 September to 15 May. - Adelaide vegetable planting calendar
Adelaide & SA: Mediterranean, frost window 20 August to 1 June. - Perth vegetable planting calendar
Perth & WA: Mediterranean, effectively frost free. - Hobart vegetable planting calendar
Tasmania: cool temperate, frost window 5 October to 25 April. - Canberra vegetable planting calendar
Canberra & ACT: cool highlands, frost window 1 November to 10 April. - North Queensland vegetable planting calendar
North Queensland: tropical wet/dry, effectively frost free. - Darwin vegetable planting calendar
Darwin & Top End: tropical wet/dry, effectively frost free.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I grow in Northern Rivers?
Northern Rivers has a subtropical climate that supports a wide range of edible plants year-round. You can grow vegetables, herbs, fruit trees, and native edibles. The key is choosing the right crops for each season and planting at the right time. Use the monthly guides above to see exactly what to plant each month.
When is the best time to start a vegetable garden in Northern Rivers?
You can start a vegetable garden in Northern Rivers any time of year. Autumn and spring are the easiest seasons for beginners because temperatures are mild and many crops thrive. Pick a spot with at least six hours of sun, prepare your soil with compost, and choose crops from the current month's planting list.
What grows best in Northern Rivers's climate?
Northern Rivers's subtropical climate suits a specific range of crops each season. Use the monthly planting calendars above to find the best crops for right now. Each listing includes sowing windows, spacing, harvest timing, and companion planting suggestions tailored to Northern Rivers's conditions.
What vegetables can I plant now in the Northern Rivers?
It depends on the month. Going by our Northern Rivers calendar, in spring (Sep to Nov) you can sow Capsicum, Chilli, Eggplant, Zucchini, Cucumber, Pumpkin and Sweet Corn; in summer (Dec to Feb) you can sow Capsicum, Chilli, Eggplant, Zucchini, Cucumber, Pumpkin and Sweet Corn; in autumn (Mar to May) you can sow Tomato, Beans (bush), Peas, Snow Peas, Broad Beans, Lettuce and Spinach; in winter (Jun to Aug) you can sow Peas, Snow Peas, Broad Beans, Lettuce, Spinach, Silverbeet and Kale. The What to plant in the Northern Rivers now section at the top of this page always shows the current month, and each month page lists every crop.
When is the last frost in the Northern Rivers?
Northern Rivers NSW is effectively frost free across the region. Postcode records for Tweed Heads (2485) show no frost in 2011 to 2020. Check your own postcode with the Frost Lookup.
When should I plant tomatoes in the Northern Rivers?
Our Northern Rivers calendar has tomatoes sown or planted February to April and September. Sow from February to April and again in September. In hinterland frost pockets, wait until mid September for the spring sowing. More in when to plant tomatoes in the Northern Rivers.
When should I plant potatoes in the Northern Rivers?
Our Northern Rivers calendar has potatoes sown or planted March to August. More in how to grow potatoes.