This post will cover every zone in Australia for both flowers and vegetables. People in other southern hemisphere countries could also use this list as a broad guide.
I always like to plant flowers as well, whether they are dedicated companion types, bee and insect attractant or simply colourful.
Flowers for Cool and Temperate Climates
Alyssum, Aurora Daisy, Cineraria, Cornflower, Cyclamen, English Daisy, French Marigold, Iceland poppy, Lobelia, Lupin, Pansy, Polyanthus, Primula, Snapdragon, Stock, Strawflower, Sweet Pea, Viola.
Flowers for Subtropical Climates
Ageratum, Allysum, Candytuft, Carnation, Dianthus, Everlasting Daisy, Iceland Poppy, Impatiens, Marigold, Sweet Pea, Viola.
Flowers for Tropical Climates
Ageratum, Aster, Balsam, Crysanthemum, Coxscomb, Coleus, Cosmos, Dahlia, Dianthus, Petunia, Portulaca, Salvia, Sunflower, Torenia, Verbena.
Vegetables for Cool and Temperate Climates
Beans, Beetroot, Broad Beans, Broccoli, Cabbage, Capsicum, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Chicory, Endive, Garlic, Herbs, Jerusalem Artichokes, Kohlrabi, Leek, Lettuce, Onion, Silverbeet, Potatoes, Tomato.
Vegetables for Subtropical Climates
Artichokes, Asparagus, Beans, Broad Beans, Broccoli, Capsicum, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Chicory, Coriander, Endive, Garlic, Herbs, Jerusalem Artichokes, Lettuce, Onion, Peas, Raddish, Shallots, Spinach, Sweet Potato, Tomato, Turnip.
Vegetables for Tropical Climates
Beans, Beetroot, Broccoli, Cabbage, Capsicum, Carrots, Cauliflower, Corn, Cucumber, Lettuce, Pumpkin, Shallots, Squash, Sweet Potato, Tomato, Zucchini.
Vegetables for Arid Climates
Artichokes, Asparagus, Broad beans, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cauliflower, Lettuce, Peas, Spinach, Sweet Potato, Tomatoes, Turnips.
Fruits to plant now in most Climates
Raspberries, Rhubarb, Strawberries,
Try Rock Melons and Watermelons (you might be lucky this year with not much rain forecast!)
If you live say in SE Qld, you could plant any of the subtropical or tropical veg or flowers and even try the Cool Climates ones too if you have a place that doesn't get too much sun in winter so it stays a bit on the cool side. Maybe it's on the southern side of your house or perhaps you live in a flat or unit and your balcony is on the southern side.
I live in SE Qld and I plant all of the vegetables listed for winter. Nights at my place are generally 20-25degrees cooler than the days. The temperature begins dropping around 3pm and stays low until around 8am next day which enables the amount of chill factor the cool climate plants need. But mostly the days heat up quite a bit so the tropical plants still get some heat on their leaves.
If you live in an Arid zone try everything!
If you live in Victoria you probably wouldn't bother about anything on the Tropical list because you will get good hard frosts down there. Unless you have a nice hot protected corner where frosts won't settle. Or perhaps you live in a flat or unit with a protected north facing balcony, in which case go for the tropical and subtropical vegetables.
If you can't exactly remember what a plant looks like, google it.
I always like to plant flowers as well, whether they are dedicated companion types, bee and insect attractant or simply colourful.
Flowers for Cool and Temperate Climates
Alyssum, Aurora Daisy, Cineraria, Cornflower, Cyclamen, English Daisy, French Marigold, Iceland poppy, Lobelia, Lupin, Pansy, Polyanthus, Primula, Snapdragon, Stock, Strawflower, Sweet Pea, Viola.
Flowers for Subtropical Climates
Ageratum, Allysum, Candytuft, Carnation, Dianthus, Everlasting Daisy, Iceland Poppy, Impatiens, Marigold, Sweet Pea, Viola.
Flowers for Tropical Climates
Ageratum, Aster, Balsam, Crysanthemum, Coxscomb, Coleus, Cosmos, Dahlia, Dianthus, Petunia, Portulaca, Salvia, Sunflower, Torenia, Verbena.
Vegetables for Cool and Temperate Climates
Beans, Beetroot, Broad Beans, Broccoli, Cabbage, Capsicum, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Chicory, Endive, Garlic, Herbs, Jerusalem Artichokes, Kohlrabi, Leek, Lettuce, Onion, Silverbeet, Potatoes, Tomato.
Vegetables for Subtropical Climates
Artichokes, Asparagus, Beans, Broad Beans, Broccoli, Capsicum, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Chicory, Coriander, Endive, Garlic, Herbs, Jerusalem Artichokes, Lettuce, Onion, Peas, Raddish, Shallots, Spinach, Sweet Potato, Tomato, Turnip.
Vegetables for Tropical Climates
Beans, Beetroot, Broccoli, Cabbage, Capsicum, Carrots, Cauliflower, Corn, Cucumber, Lettuce, Pumpkin, Shallots, Squash, Sweet Potato, Tomato, Zucchini.
Vegetables for Arid Climates
Artichokes, Asparagus, Broad beans, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cauliflower, Lettuce, Peas, Spinach, Sweet Potato, Tomatoes, Turnips.
Fruits to plant now in most Climates
Raspberries, Rhubarb, Strawberries,
Try Rock Melons and Watermelons (you might be lucky this year with not much rain forecast!)
If you live say in SE Qld, you could plant any of the subtropical or tropical veg or flowers and even try the Cool Climates ones too if you have a place that doesn't get too much sun in winter so it stays a bit on the cool side. Maybe it's on the southern side of your house or perhaps you live in a flat or unit and your balcony is on the southern side.
I live in SE Qld and I plant all of the vegetables listed for winter. Nights at my place are generally 20-25degrees cooler than the days. The temperature begins dropping around 3pm and stays low until around 8am next day which enables the amount of chill factor the cool climate plants need. But mostly the days heat up quite a bit so the tropical plants still get some heat on their leaves.
If you live in an Arid zone try everything!
If you live in Victoria you probably wouldn't bother about anything on the Tropical list because you will get good hard frosts down there. Unless you have a nice hot protected corner where frosts won't settle. Or perhaps you live in a flat or unit with a protected north facing balcony, in which case go for the tropical and subtropical vegetables.
If you can't exactly remember what a plant looks like, google it.