When to plant Stock in Temperate Australia

Temperate zone — applies to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Newcastle and similar areas. Growing elsewhere? Cool · Subtropical · Tropical · Arid.

Sow stock by raising seedlings from January to May, then transplanting once they have a few true leaves. Seed germinates in 10–20 days and only needs a shallow 3 mm covering, so barely press it in and keep the surface evenly moist. Stock is a slow, cool-season flower reaching maturity around 140 days from sowing, which is why autumn sowing suits temperate gardens in Melbourne and Adelaide well. Space transplants 20–40 cm apart in rows about 20–30 cm apart, giving each plant room to build the dense, scented spike it is grown for. Choose a sunny, free-draining spot for the best colour.

Sowing calendar — temperate zone

Green months are your sowing window: January to May.

Growing notes

Stock is a genuine cool-season plant, and the long 140-day run to flowering is the main thing to plan around. Autumn sowings from January to May carry the plants through winter and reward you with fragrant spikes in late winter and spring, which is the tempo temperate gardens in Sydney and Perth handle best.

Good drainage matters more than rich feeding. Stock resents wet feet, and the classic failure here is stem rot or damping-off in seedlings sitting in cold, soggy mix. Sow into a free-draining seed-raising medium, water from below where you can, and give the trays good airflow. Once transplanted, avoid overhead watering late in the day so foliage dries before nightfall.

For scent and fullness, grow stock in full sun and do not crowd it tighter than the 20–40 cm spacing. Plants packed too close stay thin and are far more prone to grey mould in the damp end of winter. A light dressing of a balanced fertiliser after transplanting is plenty; too much nitrogen gives you leaf at the expense of flower. Pick spikes as the lower florets open for the longest vase life.

Stock at a glance

Common questions

When should I sow stock in Melbourne?

Sow from January to May by raising seedlings, then transplant them out. This autumn window lets the plants establish through the cool months and flower in late winter and spring, which suits Melbourne's mild temperate climate.

Why is my stock taking so long to flower?

Stock is naturally slow, needing around 140 days from sowing to first bloom. If you sow in autumn as recommended, expect flowers in late winter to spring rather than a quick summer show. Steady cool growth, not warmth, drives the best spikes.

How deep do you plant stock seed?

Only about 3 mm deep. The seed is small and needs light contact rather than burial, so press it lightly into the surface and keep the mix evenly moist until germination in 10–20 days.

How far apart should stock be planted?

Space transplants 20–40 cm apart with rows around 20–30 cm apart. Good spacing keeps airflow up and reduces grey mould, which is the main problem in damp temperate winters.

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