What to Plant in Each Season – A Landscaping Calendar for NSW Gardens

Plan your year in the garden with our seasonal landscaping guide. Discover what to plant and when, how to prepare the soil, when to mulch, and which products to use during each season. This post is a must-bookmark for beginners and seasoned green thumbs alike.

Whether you’re tending a small backyard, a large property, or working on a landscaping project, understanding seasonal planting is the secret to garden success in New South Wales. From veggies and natives to lawn care and mulch timing, here’s your complete guide to keeping your garden lush and productive all year round.

SPRING – Wake Up Your Garden

Spring in NSW is all about new beginnings. As the soil warms up, it’s time to plant, feed, and refresh your garden.

What to Plant:

• Vegetables: Tomatoes, cucumbers, capsicum, lettuce, zucchini, and herbs like basil and parsley.
• Flowers: Marigolds, sunflowers, petunias, and snapdragons.
• Natives: Grevilleas, kangaroo paws, and bottlebrush.

Garden Jobs:

• Prepare garden beds with premium garden mix or compost blend.
• Apply slow-release fertiliser to encourage strong growth.
• Start a regular watering routine as temperatures rise.

Products to Use:

• Organic compost, dynamic lifter or cow manure
• Quality mulch like cypress mulch or eucalyptus mulch to retain moisture and reduce weeds

SUMMER – Keep Cool & Hydrated

Summer heat in NSW can be harsh, so the focus is on watering, shading, and maintenance.

What to Plant:

• Vegetables: Sweet corn, beans, pumpkins, chillies, and eggplants.
• Herbs: Basil, coriander, and mint thrive in pots and part shade.
• Turf: Ideal time to lay Sir Walter Buffalo, Kikuyu, or TifTuf for quick establishment.

Garden Jobs:

• Water early morning or late afternoon to minimise evaporation.
• Top up mulch to keep roots cool and suppress weeds.
• Trim and deadhead flowering plants to encourage more blooms.

Products to Use:

• Wetting agents to help water soak in
• Soil conditioner for dry or sandy soils
• Mulches like pine bark or forest fines to lock in moisture

AUTUMN – Feed, Seed & Rejuvenate

Autumn is perfect for planting and prepping. With cooler days and still-warm soil, roots grow strong before winter sets in.

What to Plant:

• Vegetables: Broccoli, spinach, beetroot, onions, and garlic.
• Flowers: Pansies, violas, calendulas, and sweet peas.
• Trees & Shrubs: Great time for establishing natives and ornamentals.

Garden Jobs:

• Rake and compost fallen leaves.
• Prepare veggie beds with organic topsoil or veggie blend.
• Fertilise lawns and garden beds for a strong winter.

Products to Use:

• Top dress soil or apply soil conditioner
• Lawn fertiliser and soil improver blends
• Mulch garden beds to protect new seedlings

WINTER – Rest & Regenerate

Winter may feel quiet, but it’s a vital time to repair, plan, and protect.

What to Plant:

• Vegetables: Cabbage, peas, leeks, broad beans, and kale.
• Trees & Roses: Ideal time to plant bare-root stock.
• Winter Colour: Primulas, cyclamens, and pansies.

Garden Jobs:

• Prune deciduous trees and roses.
• Turn compost and improve soil structure.
• Plan spring garden projects and order your materials in advance.

Products to Use:

• Compost and gypsum to enrich soil
• Firewood to keep warm outdoors (available at Nepean!)
• Protective mulch or straw to keep roots insulated

Year-Round Landscaping Tips

• Mulch every 2–3 months for healthy soil and water retention.
• Use soil testing kits or talk to our soil experts to ensure your garden has the right balance.
• Keep an eye on pests, especially in spring and summer.
• Visit Nepean Landscape Supplies for everything from turf and soil to mulch, compost, tools, and expert advice.

Need Help Planning Your Garden?

Come down to Nepean Landscape Supplies or give us a call. We’re locals who know the NSW climate, and we’re here to help you get the right materials, the right advice, and the right results—no matter the season.