Planting Calendar & Monthly Lists
Scroll to Map & Zone DescriptionThe Cool/Mountain Zone has mild or warm summers, but cold winters with frosts from June to September. Unexpected late frosts can be a major problem for gardeners in these areas. This zone includes higher elevation areas of the Northern Tablelands of NSW (around towns such as Armidale, Guyra and Glen Innes). It also includes much of the Southern Tablelands (around towns such as Bowral and Goulburn) and the Australian Highlands and Alps in the Snowy Mountains of NSW and Victoria. It also includes Canberra and the ACT, and most of Tasmania (except for the northern coastline and the Bass Strait Island. It also including the Granite Belt of South East Queensland famous for its wine and fruit.
These cool zones have cold winter temperatures with heavy frosts during the cooler months. In most areas, apart from the high alpine areas of the Snowy Mountains, summers are warm and mild. Average annual minimum temperature range from -5°C to 0°C. Alpine areas also have snow which can cover the ground from June to August. The the winter chill factor is an advantage for growing fruit trees such as cherries that need a significant winter chill to flower successfully. However, summer growing season is short and so getting seeds to start early in a greenhouse or indoors can be an advantage. Covering vulnerable seedlings such as tomatoes is also a good idea.