What to Plant in January in Australia
Pick your region below to see exactly what to sow this month.
January across Australia
January is the height of summer across Australia. In most regions, the focus shifts to maintaining what is already growing rather than starting new crops. Water deeply and consistently, mulch heavily to keep soil cool, and harvest regularly to keep plants productive. In tropical and subtropical regions, the wet season is in full swing. In cooler regions, heat-tolerant varieties of lettuce, beans, and tomatoes are producing heavily.
Select your region above to see a personalised list, or jump to your regional January page below.
Select a region above to see your January planting list.
January Planting by Region
Jump straight to your regional January planting guide for full details, downloadable PDF calendars, and crop tables.
Subtropical. Hot and humid, maintain summer crops.
Warm temperate. Frost-free coast, cooler inland.
Subtropical. Mild winter, long growing season.
Tropical. Wet and hot, focus on tropical crops.
Tropical. Wet season peak, limited planting.
Cool temperate. Frost likely, ideal for brassicas.
Mediterranean. Cool wet winters, reliable greens.
Mediterranean. Mild winter, broad planting window.
Cool temperate. Mild summer, great growing weather.
Cool continental. Warm days, good summer cropping.
January Gardening Tips
Water early in the morning to reduce evaporation and give plants time to absorb moisture before the heat of the day. Mulch beds to 10cm depth to keep roots cool and soil moist.
Harvest tomatoes, zucchini, beans, and cucumbers regularly. Leaving ripe fruit on the vine signals the plant to slow down production. Pick every 2-3 days for maximum yield.
In subtropical and tropical regions, this is a tough month for leafy greens. Focus on heat-tolerant varieties like kangkong, sweet potato leaves, and Malabar spinach. Hold off on lettuce and spinach until temperatures drop in March.
Track Your January Plantings
Add your January crops to the Planting Season app for harvest reminders and spacing guides tailored to your region.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What can I plant in January in Australia?
What you can plant in January depends on your region. Australia spans tropical, subtropical, Mediterranean, and cool temperate climates, so each region has a different planting list. Select your region above to see the specific crops, sowing methods, spacing, and harvest timing for your area.
Is January a good time to start a vegetable garden in Australia?
You can start a vegetable garden any month of the year in most parts of Australia. January is summer in southern Australia and offers plenty of crops to choose from. Pick your region above to see the full list of what you can plant right now.
How do I know what zone I am in for January planting?
Planting Season organises guides by region rather than hardiness zone, because Australian growing conditions vary more by local climate than by a single zone number. Select your nearest region above (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, SEQ, Northern Rivers, North QLD, Canberra, Hobart, or Darwin) for a planting list tailored to your conditions.