Your Australian Planting Calendar for Small-Space Gardening

What to Grow (and When) in Your Pots, Planters, or Raised Beds, No Backyard Needed

If you’ve ever felt like gardening is only for people with big backyards and sunny decks, we hear you. But here’s the good news: you don’t need much space to enjoy the simple joy of growing your own herbs, veggies, or flowers. A sunny windowsill, a balcony corner, or even a kitchen bench can become your own little green haven.

That’s why we created the Australian Space-Space Gardening Planting Calendar, a simple, seasonal guide made especially for small-space gardeners like you.

Whether you’re potting up basil on your apartment balcony or tending a raised bed on your patio, this guide shows you what to plant (and when) based on your climate zone. Because even when you’re gardening in pots, the weather still matters.

 

Why Climate Zones Still Matter (Even for Potted Plants)

It’s easy to think pots and planters mean total control, but your outdoor conditions still have a big say. Things like temperature, rainfall, and sunlight make a real difference, even in the smallest setups.

By planting with your climate zone in mind, you can:

• Choose plants that thrive in your conditions
• Avoid seasonal flops (like planting too early or too late)
• Get more from your small space with less stress

 

What to Grow in Your Zone

🌴 Tropical & Subtropical (e.g. Brisbane, Darwin, Cairns, Northern NSW, Northern WA)

You’re lucky to have warmth most of the year, making it possible to plant nearly every month. Your challenge is humidity, strong sun, and seasonal rainfall.

What to plant this year (in pots, planters, or raised beds):

• Herbs: Basil, coriander, lemongrass, mint, chives, oregano, parsley
• Vegetables: Lettuce, spinach, kale, pak choi, beans, chillies, tomatoes, zucchini, okra, sweet potato, cucumbers
• Fruits: Strawberries, dwarf citrus (in pots), pineapple sage
• Flowers: Marigolds, zinnias, cosmos, nasturtiums, petunias

Quick tips:

• Use self-watering or elevated planters to handle heavy rain
• Place leafy greens in part-shade to avoid sunburn
• Fertilise every 2–3 weeks with organic liquid feed
• Group pots to create a microclimate and shield from wind

☀️ Temperate (e.g. Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth)

Defined seasons mean more crop rotation but also more variety. From tomatoes in summer to kale in winter, you’ve got good growing conditions for most of the year..

What to plant this year (in pots, planters, or raised beds):

• Herbs: Basil, thyme, parsley, oregano, chives, mint, coriander
• Vegetables: Tomatoes, beans, rocket, lettuce, spinach, carrots, garlic, onions, capsicum, zucchini, beetroot, broccoli, peas
• Fruits: Strawberries, dwarf citrus, blueberries (in pots)
• Flowers: Marigolds, petunias, cosmos, sunflowers (dwarf), nasturtiums

Helpful hints:

• Choose sunny spots, especially in winter
• Use large pots (30cm+) for fruiting plants like tomatoes
• Mulch in summer to retain water
• Cover frost-sensitive plants or move them indoors when needed

❄️ Cool & Alpine (e.g. Canberra, Hobart, Blue Mountains)

Cooler temperatures mean a shorter warm-season, but your herbs and leafy greens will be especially flavourful. Think hearty greens in winter and cherry tomatoes in summer.

What to plant this year (in pots, compact raised beds, or indoors):

• Herbs: Parsley, thyme, mint, chives, basil (indoors), oregano
• Vegetables: Kale, spinach, lettuce, silverbeet, garlic, radish, peas, tomatoes, cucumbers (dwarf), zucchini (patio), rocket
• Fruits: Strawberries (alpine or dwarf), blueberries (container-friendly)
• Flowers: Pansies, calendula, nasturtiums, violas, cosmos, sweet alyssum

Setup suggestions:

• Choose dark-coloured pots to soak up warmth
• Position near sunny walls or move pots indoors during frost
• Try compact raised beds for deeper-rooted veg like carrots or garlic
• Start seeds indoors early to maximise the short warm season

Year-Round Indoor Gardening: Microherbs, Microgreens & Sprouts

If you're short on space or looking for a simple way to grow something fresh year-round, microherbs, microgreens, and sprouts are an easy and rewarding option.

These fast-growing greens thrive indoors, needing only a bright windowsill or kitchen bench to flourish. They're quick to harvest, space-saving, and unaffected by seasonal changes or outdoor climate conditions.

What You Can Grow Year-Round:

• Microherbs: Basil, chives, parsley - perfect for garnishing meals
• Microgreens: Rocket, broccoli, radish - packed with nutrients and flavour
• Sprouts: Mung beans, sunflower - ideal for salads, sandwiches, or stir-fries

Whether you're using soil, grow mats, or sprouting jars, these little greens are ready to harvest in 7–14 days. No garden required, just light, water, and a little curiosity.

Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need a Backyard to Garden Well

At Urban Haven Living, we believe that gardening should be accessible, calming, and a little bit magical, no matter your space or experience level. Whether you’re a first-time balcony gardener or downsizing to apartment life, our planting calendar is here to help you grow with confidence.

Just a few thoughtful plant choices each month can transform your living space into something fresh and grounding; a place where you can grow your own food, enjoy blooming flowers, and reconnect with nature.

 

Want the Full Calendar?

We’ve made printable companion planting calendars tailored for each Australian climate zone, perfect for pinning to your fridge, tucking into your garden journal, or keeping near your indoor planters.