Leafy greens
Asian greens (pak choy, mizuna)
Quick, generous, and shrugs off Peninsula cold snaps.
Sow or transplant· ~6 wks to harvest
Spring in the garden
← Back to GrowWhat to plant now
A sowing calendar for the Mornington Peninsula — what goes in the ground this month, plus tips from local growers.
21 crops to sow in September
Root crop
Beetroot
Soak seed overnight to speed germination.
Direct sow· ~10 wks to harvest
Vegetable
Broccoli
Net against cabbage moth from October onwards.
Plant seedlings· ~14 wks to harvest
Vegetable
Cabbage
Mulch heavily — hates drying out.
Plant seedlings· ~14 wks to harvest
Flower
Calendula
Edible petals, pollinator magnet, self-seeds.
Direct sow· ~10 wks to harvest
Fruiting
Capsicum & chillies
Need warmth — a sheltered north-facing spot pays off.
Plant seedlings· ~16 wks to harvest
Root crop
Carrots
Sow direct into deep, stone-free soil — never transplant.
Direct sow· ~14 wks to harvest
Herb
Chives
Perennial — plant once, eat for years.
Sow or transplant· ~12 wks to harvest
Herb
Coriander
Bolts in heat — sow cool-season for leaf, summer for seed.
Direct sow· ~6 wks to harvest
Herb
Dill
Self-seeds happily if you let one plant flower.
Direct sow· ~8 wks to harvest
Leafy greens
Kale
Frost makes it sweeter — a Peninsula winter staple.
Sow or transplant· ~10 wks to harvest
Leafy greens
Lettuce
Sow a small patch every 3 weeks for a steady supply.
Sow or transplant· ~8 wks to harvest
Flower
Marigold
Plant among tomatoes — deters nematodes.
Sow or transplant· ~10 wks to harvest
Herb
Parsley
Slow to germinate — be patient, soak seed first.
Sow or transplant· ~12 wks to harvest
Legume
Peas
Snow peas, snap peas, shelling — all love Peninsula winters.
Direct sow· ~12 wks to harvest
Root crop
Potatoes
Plant after the last frost — usually mid-September on the Peninsula.
Direct sow· ~16 wks to harvest
Root crop
Radish
Ready in 4–6 weeks — perfect for impatient gardeners.
Direct sow· ~5 wks to harvest
Leafy greens
Rocket
Bolts fast in heat — autumn and early spring are best.
Direct sow· ~6 wks to harvest
Leafy greens
Silverbeet
Cut outer leaves and it keeps producing for months.
Sow or transplant· ~10 wks to harvest
Leafy greens
Spinach
Loves the cool months — sow thickly and thin as you eat.
Direct sow· ~8 wks to harvest
Fruiting
Tomatoes
Wait until after Melbourne Cup weekend if you've been burned by a late frost.
Plant seedlings· ~14 wks to harvest
Last chance to sow
Window closes after September — get them in now.
PeasSpinach
Opening up next month
BasilBeans (bush)Beans (climbing)CucumbersPumpkinSunflowersSweet cornZucchini