August in Melbourne is winter, when cold-hardy greens and brassicas come into their own. Here’s exactly what to sow from seed, plant as seedlings, and harvest this month in a temperate/cool climate, tuned to Melbourne’s frosts and temperatures, not a generic national calendar.
Typical Temps
6-32°C
winter low to summer high
Frost
June-August (outer suburbs), July-August (inner suburbs)
Climate Zone
Temperate/Cool
Victoria
Frost watch: Inner Melbourne is largely frost-free, but outer, northern and Dandenong suburbs get regular frosts. In a frost pocket, hold tomatoes and basil until after Melbourne Cup weekend (early November). See frost dates for every city →
Melbourne's notorious 'four seasons in one day' weather means always have frost cloth ready from April through October, sudden cold snaps can damage tender seedlings even in spring.
The dry, hot northerly winds in summer (particularly January-February) can desiccate plants overnight, water in the morning and mulch heavily.
Melbourne's cold winters are perfect for broad beans and garlic, both need cool temperatures to produce well, making April-June planting essential.
Use raised beds to overcome Melbourne's often clay-heavy soils, they warm faster in spring and drain better in the wet winters.
From the makers
This calendar tells you what's possible in August, Plant Planner tells you exactly how many of each crop to grow for your family, how to arrange them in your beds, and sends reminders so you never miss a window.
In August, Melbourne gardeners can sow Tomato (indoors), Capsicum (indoors), Eggplant (indoors), Peas, Broad Beans, Onion (indoors) and more from seed, and plant out Onion seedlings, Leek, Kale, Silverbeet as seedlings. Melbourne sits in the Temperate/Cool climate zone, so these picks are timed to local conditions.
August falls in winter, when cold-hardy greens and brassicas come into their own. In Melbourne, expect winter lows around 6°C and summer highs near 32°C. Inner Melbourne is largely frost-free, but outer, northern and Dandenong suburbs get regular frosts. In a frost pocket, hold tomatoes and basil until after Melbourne Cup weekend (early November).
Yes, August is a suitable window to start or plant tomatoes in Melbourne. Give them full sun, support, and consistent watering. See the full month-by-month calendar for the rest of the season.
In a Melbourne garden, August typically brings harvests of Kale, Silverbeet, Leek, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Broad Beans, Spinach. Actual timing depends on when each crop was planted.