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While the southern parts of Australia have donned winter pyjamas and flannelette sheets, the northern states are still revelling in warm, and mostly sunny autumn days. Regardless of the conditions in your little patch of paradise, there is still loads to do in May in your patch. Get set for those produce plants that need the cooler weather to grow.

May sees a lot of Australia experience the first damaging affects of frost, so why not spend cold or rainy days in the shed making some nice little frost covers from shade cloth offcuts? A couple of old garden stakes, some nails and a bit of (not too) hard yakka will see these covers ready to go when the temperature plummets. Your seedlings will thank you for it!

Climate-Resilient Garden Tips for May

Cooling & Greening

There’s never a bad time to consider transforming your nature strip or verge into a thriving green space! Individually, verges are small patches of land; but when considered together they represent a sizeable portion of our urban green space. And planting them can make a big difference, reducing heat absorption, cooling your street, supporting biodiversity and improving neighbourhood amenity. By choosing tough, low‑water use native plants and preparing the soil well, you can create a resilient garden that enhances the local environment. Before you begin, check your local council guidelines and plan a design that’s safe, attractive and easy to maintain. Learn more about how to get started with verge plantings here.

Food-Growing Resilience

May is an ideal month to expand your edible garden with Australian bush foods; plants that are well adapted to local conditions and can add exciting new flavours to your meals. Consider planting species such as lemon myrtle, native mint, midyim berries, finger lime or warrigal greens, all of which grow well in most parts of Australia when given the right conditions. These plants not only diversify your harvest but also help to preserve indigenous knowledge. For guidance on choosing and growing a range of native edible species, explore SGA’s bushfoods information here.

Watering

Even as temperatures cool in May, it’s important not to forget to water. Rainfall can be patchy, and container plants in particular often dry out faster than expected. Regularly check soil moisture with your finger – both in garden beds and pots – and water if needed to avoid stressing autumn‑growing veggies, herbs and ornamentals. Water deeply to encourage strong root growth, and adjust watering frequency based on plant type, soil structure and weather conditions. More advice on effective watering techniques is available here. 

Pests & Diseases

With increased soil moisture and cooler nights, slugs and snails become more active and can cause significant damage to young seedlings, leafy greens and emerging wildflowers. Inspect your garden in the evening or early morning when these pests are most active, and hand-remove them where practical. Encourage natural predators such as lizards, frogs and birds by keeping habitat areas intact. You can also use physical barriers like copper tape or rough mulches, and set simple traps such as beer-filled containers sunk into the ground. More guidance on managing slugs and snails is available here.

Garden Tasks & Planting Guides by Region

Warm Areas

Generally north from about Coffs Harbour and across to Geraldton, these gardens rarely experience frost (or only very light frost), need extra protection for sun-sensitive plants, and benefit from heat-tolerant vegetables.

Edibles to plant now – Time to plant some winter wonders! Pop in leeks, beetroot, celery, lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, turnips, onions, kale, kohl rabi, spinach and silverbeet. Give peas a chance this May—they’re a top addition to any patch. Just keep them away from onions and garlic.

Don’t forget to stick in some potatoes… home grown is easy, and incredibly rewarding! Sweet potatoes are also great fun to grow in warmer areas.

Herbs – Herb it up with lemongrass, spring onions, chamomile, thyme, mint, rosemary and lemon balm. Try growing lemon balm in a pot around outdoor areas to keep it contained and help deter mozzies.

Flowers – Pretty up the patch with these flowering fancies—marigolds, lupins, pansies, cornflowers, violas, snapdragons, stock, verbena and lavender (non-invasive varieties, of course!). These will add colour and interest while attracting beneficial insects.

Fertilise – Plants feel the need for a feed at this time of year. A seaweed tea, or any low environmental impact liquid fertiliser, is perfect for giving them a kick start as they establish. Apply in the early morning and follow the recommended rates. Don’t forget to feed fruit trees too—especially paw paw.

Weeding – Weeding is an awesome job to do at this time of year. Cut down the competition between your tasty treats and these space invaders and tidy up your patch. It may sound tedious, but it’s incredibly rewarding!

Mulching – Top up mulch on veggie patches, herb gardens and ornamental beds—especially important for weed suppression now. Apply to a depth of about 7cm after watering, keeping it clear of plant stems. Choose a sustainable mulch that will enrich your soil as it breaks down.

Water smarter – Water early in the morning and aim for a deep soak a couple of times a week rather than frequent light watering. Always check soil moisture first—don’t waste water if nature’s already done the job!

Planning ahead – Consider a green manure crop to add some life and love to an overworked patch. Try millet, oats, lupins or field peas to boost soil health and set yourself up for future planting success.

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 – May is all about settling into cool-season goodness! Pop in broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts and give your brassicas a strong start. Don’t forget to tuck in some sage nearby as a handy companion to help deter pests.

Sow peas and broad beans now to let them establish deep roots over winter—future you will be very grateful! Add in spinach, radish, swedes, turnips and spring onions for a steady supply of winter harvests. And if you’ve got the space, an artichoke is a beautiful (and tasty) addition to the patch.

Herbs – Keep the herb garden ticking along with parsley, coriander (slow-bolting varieties are your friend), thyme, oregano and chives.

Flowers – Brighten things up with dianthus, cornflower, pansy, viola, verbena and lupins. These not only look lovely but will also attract beneficial insects to help keep your patch in balance.

Mulching – Top up mulch across veggie beds, herbs and ornamentals to suppress weeds and retain moisture. Aim for about 7cm deep, and always mulch after watering. Keep it clear of plant stems, especially young seedlings, and choose a sustainable, low-impact option that will feed your soil as it breaks down.

Fertilise – Give new plantings a gentle boost with a seaweed tea or low-impact liquid fertiliser. Apply in the early morning and follow the recommended rates on the label.

Weeding – Weeds love this time of year, so stay on top of them! Reducing competition now means healthier, happier crops. Bonus points for turning weeds into a nutrient-rich weed tea.

Green manure – Got an empty bed? Sow oats, wheat, faba beans or field peas to improve soil structure and fertility ahead of spring planting.

Planning ahead – Bare-rooted fruit trees are just around the corner, so start preparing your beds now with plenty of compost, moisture and mulch. Do a bit of research into varieties and suppliers—especially if you’re chasing something a little unusual or heirloom.

In the shed – Cooler days are perfect for a bit of garden admin. Set up a simple tracking system (a chalkboard or notebook works a treat) to record what you’ve planted, when, and how it performs—your future garden planning will be much easier for it!

Temperate Areas

Occasional winter frosts, especially inland. Includes 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 – Still some great planting time left, so pop in Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli. Peas and broad beans can also go in, along with radish, turnips, swedes and spinach for a steady cool-season harvest.

Herbs – It’s time to get happy with herbs! Try chamomile and lemongrass, and give mint and lemon balm a go too—but keep them contained, as they can take over if left unchecked.

Flowers – Add a splash of colour with cornflower, calendula, dianthus, pansies, viola, snapdragons, stock, ageratum and marigolds. These beauties will attract pollinators and beneficial insects while making your patch look the part.

Mulching – Top up mulch on veggie patches, herb gardens and ornamental beds—especially important for weed suppression at this time of year. Apply to a depth of about 7cm after watering, and keep it clear of plant stems, particularly young seedlings. Choose a low-impact mulch that will enrich your soil as it breaks down.

Fertilise – Plants feel the need for a feed now, especially new seedlings. A seaweed tea or low environmental impact liquid fertiliser is perfect. Apply in the early morning and follow the recommended rates on the label.

Weeding – Weeding is an awesome job to tackle this month. Reduce competition between your crops and these space invaders and give your patch a tidy-up—it’s well worth the effort!

Water smarter – Water first thing in the morning, and go for a deep soak a couple of times a week rather than frequent light watering. Always check soil moisture before watering—don’t waste water if nature has already stepped in.

Green manure – Consider a green manure crop to revive an overworked patch. Try faba beans, field peas, oats or wheat to boost soil structure and fertility ahead of the next growing season.

Planning ahead – Bare-rooted fruit tree time is just around the corner, so start preparing beds now. Work in plenty of rich organic matter, add moisture and mulch well—your soil will be in top shape when planting time arrives. Have a think about the varieties you’d like and do a bit of research, especially if you’re after heirloom or unusual options.

Of course, this is just a rough guide, and many of you will find your situation varies from the above due to microclimates created in your garden, location in relation to your nearest major city, extremes of weather (Mother Nature does like to keep us on our toes) and garden type.

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