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Summers aren’t what they used to be — and your garden knows it. With temperatures creeping up compared to 10 years ago, you may need to tweak a few of your usual habits. In February, some summer crops are having a spirited last hoorah, with tomatoes, eggplant and capsicum hanging in.

While they soldier on, it’s time to start thinking ahead to autumn planting. This month’s guide is packed with practical, do-it-now tips to help your patch transition smoothly. Note to self: we all want our plants to keep thriving through summer, but crispy gardeners help no one. Make sun safety non-negotiable with a broad-brimmed hat, sunglasses and long sleeves, and do your gardening early or late in the day when the heat has lost its bite.

Climate-Resilient Garden Tips

What to do this month to keep your garden healthy, productive and ready for anything — from heatwaves to unexpected storms, these simple steps will help your patch cope, recover and flourish all year round. Click here to explore our Climate Resilient Gardening Hub for more climate-smart gardening advice.

Cooling & Greening

Summer is an excellent time to notice where your garden struggles — the hot, windy spots where annual food plants look unhappy. Are there plants that really aren’t holding up on hot days? For future success, consider replacing them with something from a climate hotter than yours (provenance mixing). Are your crops wilting or suffering from sunburn? Maybe a shade structure is needed (see below). Could your garden do with more shade overall? If so, plan to plant a shade tree or large shrub in autumn, or train a vine over a pergola. The more layers of diverse, dense planting you have, the more resilient (and comfortable) your garden becomes. Start mapping out where shade will have the greatest impact next year — your future self will be grateful.

Shade for your plants

A few simple, moveable shade structures can make a big difference for sun-sensitive crops like eggplant and DIY sunshade over veggie patchcapsicum, which appreciate a break from the glare as much as we do.

There’s no need for anything elaborate — just something you can place over plants when the heat really bears down. Move them around as needed on high-UV or windy days, or while you’re away. Small measures like this can make a noticeable difference during the hottest part of the season.

Extreme Weather

When it rains these days, it really rains. Many gardeners are now installing filtration trenches — think of them as mini swales — to slow, spread and store stormwater in the soil. Filled with gravel, rocks or woodchip mulch, they’re especially useful on slopes, but permeable surfaces can also help flatter areas cope with sudden downpours.

February is a good time to start collecting materials and planning these projects, ready to tackle them once cooler weather arrives.

Food-Growing Resilience

As summer slides towards autumn, seed saving season begins. Ideally, seed saving involves planning,research and careful control of cross-pollination — but even if you haven’t been that organised, you can still work with what nature has generously provided.

The golden rule is dryness. Leave seed heads and pods on the plant for as long as possible so they dry thoroughly. One carrot flower alone can produce thousands of seeds! And remember: many edible plant seeds can also be grown as microgreens. So if growing outdoors feels like too much right now, microgreens are perfect for indoors. They’re quick, nutritious, and require little more than a tray, some light and a modest level of attention.

Watering

Long stretches without rain can leave soil hydrophobic — meaning water pools on the surface, gushes through cracks, or runs straight off without soaking in. This can happen to soil in garden beds or in containers. It’s bad news because both your plants and all the organisms that live in your soil need water to live.  

The best long-term fix is organic matter: compost, manure and mulch. For pots, soaking the entire pot for about 10 minutes should rehydrate your potting mix. Be cautious with commercial wetting agents — many can cause environmental harm as they build up and affect aquatic life. Gardening Australia has a simple DIY alternative using agar seaweed, which is much gentler on the planet.

Pests & Diseases

Queensland Fruit Fly is having a field day on stone fruit. To break the cycle, remove all affected fruit — look for the tell-tale pinholes and wriggling larvae. Seal the fruit in a black plastic bag and leave it in full sun for six weeks to ensure everything inside is thoroughly dealt with. And don’t forget to collect fallen fruit.

image source: agriculture.vic.gov.au

Garden Tasks & Planting Guides by Region

Warm Areas

(Rarely experience frost, or only very light frost. Generally include northern coastal and inland regions (North from about Coffs Harbour and all the way across to the west to Geraldton). These gardens need extra protection for sun-sensitive plants and benefit from heat-tolerant vegetables.)

Mulching

  • Edibles to plant now – Give leeks, capsicum, chillies, cabbage, silverbeet, lettuce, sweet corn, cauliflower, broccoli and tomatoes a go towards the end of the month. 
  • Herbs – It’s too hot for most herbs, but you could try some lemongrass (pictured). Wait until the end of the month to plant some basil varieties, including our old favourite sweet basil, and the always-stunning purple basil. 
  • Juicy Treats – Want a super summer smoothie… for years to come? Then plant some banana, pineapple and mangos! 
  • Flowers – Pretty up the patch with some marigolds and sunflowers. Planting these around your veggies will give some colour and interest to the patch, and act as beneficial insect attractors.
  • Heat-Stressed Plants – The recent heat in the warm areas may have caused a bit of grief to many plants in the garden, with some foliage looking less than fancy. Don’t be too tempted to tidy these guys just yet – cruddy looking leaves will protect the new, young, sensitive shoots underneath from a serious case of sunburn. Wait until the evenings cool down in about a month or so to get your Edward Scissorhands to your scorched shrubs.
  • Compost Check – Check in on your compost weekly and ensure that its moist and hasn’t dried out. 
  • Weeding – Fast-growing summer weeds can quickly compete with vegetables and herbs for water and nutrients. It may sound tedious, bu putting in the time to weed is incredibly worthwhile.
  • Mulching – Mulch is essential in hot climates to conserve soil moisture and keep roots cool. Top up vegetable beds, herb gardens, and ornamental areas, especially if you’re heading away or caught up in back-to-school chaos. For best results, water the patch first, then apply mulch to about 7 cm deep, keeping it clear of plant stems and young seedlings. Choose sustainable, low environmental impact mulch (this means different things in different areas), one that will enrich your soil as it breaks down. 
  • Water Smarter – Hot days + warm nights = thirsty plants. Deep, less frequent watering encourages strong roots that can handle the heat — better than daily sprinkling that just leaves the surface damp.
  • Planning Ahead – Clearing spent plants, removing weeds, and topping up beds with organic matter will give your garden a head start when cooler months arrive. A nail rake, good-quality compost, and a layer of sustainable mulch make a simple but highly effective foundation for productive, climate-resilient patches. Planning now means your garden will be ready to flourish come April. Consider sowing a green manure crop to rejuvenate overworked soil. In warm-climate regions at this time of year, good options include lablab, cowpea, mung bean, soybean, and millet. These crops improve soil structure, boost microbial activity, and add valuable nutrients.

Cool to Cold Areas

(Frequent frosts and cooler summers. Include Tasmania, the southern highlands of NSW, the ACT, southern Victoria, and small pockets of southern SA. Plants need protection from frost and may struggle with heat stress during occasional hot spells.)

  • Edibles to plant now – It’s still pretty warm around here, and while you won’t be planting any more classic summer vegetables, there are plenty of delicious edibles ready to go in now. Think lettuce, spinach, leeks, silverbeet, and some Asian greens towards the end of the month. Broccoli, leeks, and spring onions might be worth a try once the nights start to cool.
  • Fruit tree care – End-of-summer is the perfect time to show your fruit trees some love. Summer pruning helps keep them healthy, controls their size, and reduces disease risk. Remove any dead or diseased wood, branches growing the wrong way, or those awkward crossovers. Then take a bit of time to shape them.
  • Flowers – Add some colour and movement to the patch with little showy flowers like stock, dianthus, viola, pansy, verbena, or ageratum. 
    Weeds – Purslane (pictured) may be running wild, but instead of pulling it out, harvest the tips or seeds for salads. Aquick blanch in boiling water will take care of the oxalic acid and make it delicious.
  • Herbs – Most herbs can take a break right now, but if you’re keen, parsley and watercress can still be sown.
  • Feeding plants – Plants start feeling hungry at this time of year. A gentle feed with seaweed tea or a low-environmental-impact liquid fertiliser is perfect, especially for seedlings planted at the tail end of last year. Apply early in the morning and stick to the recommended strength — a little goes a long way.
  • Weeding –Weeds might be slowing down in cooler regions, but don’t be fooled — they’re still sneaking around, pinching water and nutrients from your plants. A bit of weeding now stops them setting seed and causing mischief later. It’s not everyone’s favourite job, but future-you will be very glad you did it.
  • Water Smarter – Cooler days might fool you into watering less, but don’t let the soil dry out completely. Deep, less frequent watering is ideal — it encourages roots to reach deeper where moisture hangs around longer.
  • Mulching – Mulch isn’t just for hot climates. A good layer helps regulate temperature, lock in moisture, and protect soil structure as conditions cool. Water first, then apply about 7 cm of mulch, keeping it clear of stems and seedlings. Choose a sustainable, locally suitable mulch that will quietly improve your soil while you get on with other things (or put your feet up).
  • Planning Ahead – February is the perfect window to prep beds for autumn and winter. Clear spent crops, tidy weeds, and top up with compost. For overworked soil, plant a green manure crop suited to cooler climates: oats, field peas, fava beans, lupins, or vetch. They’ll improve structure, feed microbes, and leave the soil ready for a strong start next season. Start thinking about garlic. It’s ready to go once the weather cools a touch.

Temperate Zones

(Occasional winter frosts, especially inland. Include much of southern Queensland, southern NSW, Victoria, inland South Australia, and parts of WA. Summers can get hot, but plants may still need some shade on extreme UV days.)

  • Edibles to plant now – It’s still pretty warm, but if you’re itching to plant something (and who could blame you), there are a few tasty options ready to go. Towards the tail end of February, try silverbeet, leeks, spring onions, Brussels sprouts, bush beans, broccoli, cauliflower and celery, once the heat backs off a notch. Lettuce is also happy to join the party late in the month. Give seedlings some shade cloth, tuck them beside more established plants, or grow them in partial shade so they don’t end up crispy before they’ve had a chance to flourish. 
  • Herbs – Most herbs are still out of the equation, but lemongrass will soldier on without complaint. Basil is also good to go now — alongside sweet basil, try purple, Thai or lemon basil for a bit of flair.
  • Flowers – It’s also a great time to add some flowers to the mix. Nasturtiums, verbena, petunias and marigolds bring colour, movement and a steady stream of pollinators and beneficial insects into the patch.
  • Give avos a go – Avocados are relatively expensive, but in a few years time that won’t worry you. Towards the tail end of February try planting avocados.
  • Compost – If your plants have started to drop leaves due to the intense heat, start collecting them up to use as brown material for your compost or collect them up to start a leaf mold pile.
  • Weeding – Warm days and lingering summer moisture mean weeds are still quietly competing with your vegetables and herbs. A regular tidy now keeps them from getting the upper hand — and makes autumn gardening far more pleasant.
  • Water Smarter – While temperatures are starting to ease, soils can still dry out between rain events. Deep watering every few days encourages stronger root systems and makes plants more resilient as conditions change — far better than frequent light watering that barely wets the surface.
  • Mulching – Mulch still earns its keep in temperate zones, helping soil hold moisture, moderating temperature swings, and suppressing weeds. Water the bed first, then apply a layer around 7 cm deep, keeping it clear of plant stems and young seedlings. Choose a sustainable, locally appropriate mulch and let it get on with improving your soil behind the scenes.
  • Planning Ahead – Late summer is an ideal window to set your garden up for autumn. Remove spent plants, tidy beds, and add compost or organic matter to replenish soil nutrients. If a patch is looking a little worn, sow a green manure crop such as oats, field peas, lupins or vetch. These cool-season-friendly options protect the soil, improve structure and quietly build fertility for the months ahead. Start thinking about garlic. It’s ready to go once the weather cools a touch.

Of course, this is just a rough guide, and many of you will find your situation varies from the above listing, due to microclimates created in your garden, location in relation to your nearest major city, extremes of weather and garden type. 

One thing that remains the same for all zones and regions is this: start out the year as you mean to go on, and give your patch some much-needed love. So, grab a cool beverage, slip, slop slap and spend some time out in your patch! 

Information sources: 

Bagnall, Lyn, Easy organic gardening and moon planting, published by Scribe Publications, VIC. 

McFarlane, Annette, Organic Vegetable Gardening, published by ABC Books, Sydney, NSW. 

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