Winter 2026 Planting Guide — What to Sow Now Across Victoria
By Yield Australia Agronomy Team ·
Meteorological winter arrived on 1 June, and with the first frost-risk window of the season now open across inland Victoria, growers are recalibrating transplant plans. The good news: winter is a productive planting season for the right crops, and demand for consistent winter supply at Melbourne Markets remains firm. Here's what our agronomy team is recommending growers sow now, in early June 2026.
What to Plant Now
- Cold-tolerant brassicas — Broccoli, cauliflower, savoy and wombok cabbage, kale, and Brussels sprouts. Choose cold-hardy varieties and budget an extra 10-14 days time-to-harvest versus an autumn cycle
- Asian greens — Pak choy, choy sum, gai lan, and tatsoi are turning over strongly as wholesale buyers chase reliable winter volume. These are quick, high-value cuts for protected and open ground alike
- Alliums — Onion and leek transplants for the Mallee and Northern Victorian programs are still going in. Spring onions remain steady year-round
- Protected leafy lines — Cos, oak-leaf, and baby-leaf programs shift under cover through deep winter. Open-ground lettuce slows markedly from now until August
- Silverbeet, spinach and coriander — Cool-season favourites that perform well through the Victorian winter
Planning Around the Winter Conditions
The BOM June-August outlook leans cooler and wetter than median for southern Victoria. Two things matter most for transplant timing:
- Soil workability — Wet paddocks are the number-one limiting factor on winter transplant windows. Use the Soil Workability Forecast tool on the Weather Dashboard to plan around rain events and avoid compacting beds
- Frost risk — Inland districts (Northern Plains, Gippsland valleys) face genuine frost from now through July. Coastal Werribee South and Western Port stay frost-light but cool nights (3-6°C minimums) slow growth rates 15-25% versus autumn. Confirm frost-protection arrangements before cold snaps
Lead Times Matter More in Winter
Cold-weather propagation runs 4-6 weeks in our greenhouses, versus 3-4 weeks in spring. If you're planting from July onwards, get your tray order in now so we can sequence propagation to hit your transplant dates. Late orders are the most common cause of missed market windows in winter.
Talk to our team about variety options and timing — call 1300 094 353 or use the Growers Calculator to model your planting program. If you're considering trialling a new line, our Trials Portal can run small-scale screening alongside your main program.