Planting a Garden in Central Queensland: What You Need to Know
Creating a garden in Central Queensland can be incredibly rewarding—whether you’re growing tropical blooms, fresh veggies, or hardy natives. With a warm, often dry climate and bursts of seasonal rain, gardening here means working with nature, not against it. But with the right preparation and plant choices, you can build a garden that thrives year-round.
Know Your Climate and Soil
Central Queensland’s subtropical climate brings hot summers, mild winters, and seasonal rainfall—usually heaviest between December and March. Your garden needs to be able to handle long dry spells, heat, and the occasional soaking downpour.
Soil can vary across the region, but many gardens sit on sandy or clay-heavy soil with low organic matter. The good news? You can build it up. Start with a rich base using TGC Garden Soil, then improve fertility and structure by working in TGC Compost. Finish with a thick layer of TGC Mulch to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and keep roots cool.
Choose the Right Plants
Your choice of plants makes all the difference. Look for species that are heat-tolerant, drought-resilient, and suited to your garden’s conditions.
Here are some great options:
Choosing local natives is a great starting point—they’re low maintenance, attract wildlife, and are adapted to local conditions. Tropical favourites like frangipani, hibiscus, and bougainvillea add colour and love the heat. Edibles like lemongrass, chillies, eggplant, and cherry tomatoes grow beautifully in full sun when given good soil and regular water.
Water Smart
Water is precious in Central Queensland. Water early in the morning or later in the afternoon to reduce evaporation. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses are more efficient than overhead sprinklers and direct water where it’s needed most—at the roots.
Mulching with TGC Mulch is essential. It conserves water, keeps soil temperatures stable, and feeds the soil as it breaks down.
Protect and Position
Use structure in your garden layout to reduce the impact of strong sun and wind. Plant taller, tougher plants as windbreaks and consider areas of part-shade for more delicate species. If you’re close to the coast, choose plants with waxy or narrow leaves that can tolerate salty breezes.
Start Simple and Grow
If you’re new to gardening here, start small. Choose a few well-suited plants, build healthy soil using TGC Compost and Garden Soil, and observe how things grow. Over time, you’ll learn what thrives in your space—and you can expand your garden with confidence.
At Tanby Garden Centre, we’re here to help you get growing. From local advice to top-quality soil products and plant selections suited to our climate, we’ve got everything you need to make your garden a success.