Free garden planner · Made for Australian backyards
Australian Garden Planner: what to plant, layout & soil
Plan your garden in 2 minutes. Tell us your postcode and your space – get what to plant this month, a bed layout, soil quantities and a step-by-step growing guide, from one Aussie backyard gardener to another.
- Australian climate zones
- 43 veggies, herbs & flowers
- 100% free
General guide only – not professional advice. Planting times, quantities and tips are a starting point; results depend on your local conditions. Where available we link to official government sources – follow their advice if it differs from ours.
What to plant now
Suggested layout
Soil, compost & mulch
Watering & care
Your first 4 weeks
Garden safely
Handy for your plan
Please check each product's size and details on its page before you buy, to make sure it suits your space. Soil, compost and mulch aren't sold here – your local garden centre or landscape yard has them (bulk is cheaper for big beds).
General information only, not professional advice. Where available we link to official government sources – follow their advice if it differs from ours. Results depend on your local soil, weather, frost and care – check plant labels, local conditions and product sizes before you buy or plant.
Your plan is worked out on this page – we don't save your answers. Planting guide last reviewed October 2026.
About this free garden planner
Plan My Garden is a free online garden planner from Shop Backyard Gardening, made for Australian home gardeners – especially beginners. Enter your postcode and it works out your climate zone (tropical, subtropical, temperate, cool or arid), then shows what to plant this month and how to set up a raised bed, in-ground bed, pots or grow bags.
It's free to use, with no sign-up or purchase required, and your answers stay on your device.
- What to plant this month – 43 vegetables, herbs and flowers with sowing months for 5 Australian climate zones.
- Garden bed layout – spacing and plant counts for raised beds, in-ground beds, pots and grow bags.
- Raised bed soil calculator – litres and 25 L bags of soil, compost, manure and mulch.
- Growing guides – soil, trellis, watering, pests, harvest, storage and seed saving for every plant.
- Beginner checklist – your first 4 weeks, step by step, plus composting and safety tips with links to official sources.
Garden planning questions
What vegetables can I plant now in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone and the month. For example, in spring (September–November) gardeners in subtropical areas like Brisbane can plant tomatoes, capsicum, beans, zucchini, cucumber and basil, while in temperate areas like Sydney and Melbourne tomatoes, beans and zucchini go in from October once frosts finish. Enter your postcode above to see the full list for your area this month.
When should I plant tomatoes in Australia?
Tropical areas: March to July (the dry season). Subtropical areas: February–March and August–November. Temperate areas: September to December, after the last frost. Cool areas: October to December, once frosts have finished. Arid and inland areas: February–March and August–October. Local frost and altitude can shift these dates.
How much soil do I need for a raised garden bed?
Multiply length × width × depth in centimetres and divide by 1,000 to get litres. A 120 × 60 × 30 cm bed needs about 216 litres – roughly nine 25-litre bags. A good mix is about 60% garden soil or raised-bed mix, 30% compost and 10% aged manure. For beds 45 cm or deeper, you can fill the bottom third with branches and leaves to save soil. The planner above works this out for your bed.
Which way should a raised garden bed face in Australia?
In Australia the sun comes from the north, so put tall plants such as tomatoes, corn and climbing beans or peas on the south side of the bed, where they won't shade shorter plants. Most vegetables need at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
What are the easiest vegetables for beginners to grow?
Lettuce, radish, bush beans, zucchini, silverbeet and spring onions are forgiving first crops, along with herbs like basil, parsley and mint (keep mint in a pot). Start tomatoes and capsicum from seedlings rather than seed. Choose "I'm new to gardening" in the planner to see the easiest plants first.
What climate zone am I in?
Australia is broadly split into tropical (e.g. Darwin, Cairns, Townsville), subtropical (e.g. Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast), temperate (e.g. Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth), cool (e.g. Canberra, Hobart, the tablelands) and arid or inland zones (e.g. Alice Springs, Broken Hill). The planner estimates your zone from your postcode; you can check the Bureau of Meteorology climate classification maps for more detail.
Is the garden planner really free?
Yes. Plan My Garden is completely free, with no sign-up or purchase required. Your plan is worked out on the page and your answers aren't saved.
How accurate is the planner?
It's a general guide based on broad Australian climate zones and common gardening practice. Local frost, altitude, soil and weather all make a difference, so check seed packets, ask your local nursery, and follow official government advice where we link to it.
Experienced gardener? Help us make this better
If you're already a garden expert and spot a gap, a mistake or a better tip for your area, please tell us. We review every suggestion and keep improving this guide to help fellow gardeners – and encourage more Australians to start growing.