Planting Calendar & Monthly Lists
Scroll to Map & Zone DescriptionThe Sub-tropical Zone has Warm humid summers (average January maximum temperatures generally less than 30 degrees C). The winters are mild and dry with no frosts. This zone includes the eastern seaboard of Australian from Coffs Harbor and Byron bay in NSW, into Queensland from Brisbane to Rockhampton. It also includes the hinterland areas on the hills inland from Cairns and Townsville, in Queensland. Coastal areas of Western Australia can also be included in from Geraldton to Canarvon, though this is a very narrow strip.
The climate is mild throughout the year with a low winter rainfall and generally reliable summer rainfall. These conditions are ideal for growing most vegetables. There can be high humidity from November to March. Frosts are very rare and average annual minimum temperatures are around 10°C. Average January maximum temperature less than 30°C and there is generally plenty of rain in summer. Despite the warm temperatures, you can still grow 'Temperate-style' vegetables in winter. Gardeners here switch to planting tropical vegetables in Spring to grow over the warm wet summer season. The subtropics is ideally suited for growing tubers like sweet potato, cassava, Queensland arrowroot, yacon and jicama. There is a wide range of vegetables that can be grown all-year-round that would only grow as summer crops in Temperate areas.