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Ballarat, Vic · vegetable planting calendar

What to plant now in Ballarat

This month's sowing list for Ballarat, what is ready to pick, when to plant the favourites, the planting year at a glance and the local frost dates.

Sow or plant in Ballarat in October

Last month to start: capsicum and chilli.

When to plant the favourites in Ballarat

Tomatoes

Sow in a tray: October.

Plant out: November to December.

Pick: March.

First pick about 21 weeks after starting.

Potatoes

Plant: October to January.

Best time to start: October to January.

Pick: January to May.

First pick about 12 weeks after starting.

Garlic

Plant: April to June.

Best time to start: April to June.

Pick: December to January.

First pick about 29 weeks after starting.

Lettuce

Sow in the ground: August to March.

Best time to start: September to March.

Pick: November to July.

First pick about 8 weeks after starting.

Carrots

Sow in the ground: July to March.

Best time to start: August to February.

Pick: December to September.

First pick about 11 weeks after starting.

Bush beans

Sow in the ground: November to January.

Best time to start: November to January.

Pick: February to April.

First pick about 10 weeks after starting.

Onions

Sow in a tray: All year.

Plant out: All year.

Best time to start: All year.

Pick: December to May.

First pick about 32 weeks after starting.

Strawberries

Plant: March to May and August to December.

Best time to start: March to May and August to December.

Pick: December to July.

First pick about 22 weeks after starting.

Pumpkins

Sow in a tray: November.

Plant out: November to December.

Best time to start: November.

Pick: March to April.

First pick about 19 weeks after starting.

Zucchini

Sow in a tray: November to January.

Sow in the ground: December to January.

Plant out: December to January.

Best time to start: December.

Pick: January to March.

First pick about 9 weeks after starting.

The planting year in Ballarat

• TSow in a tray
• SSow in the ground
• PPlant out
• Pick
• SPaler: possible, but not the best time

The chart starts at October. "First pick" is the usual time from starting to the first harvest.

Choose a quick-maturing (early) variety of: capsicum and chilli.

Ballarat season by season

Any time of year: onion and peas.

Frost in Ballarat

Last frost, most years

around 11 November

Safe to plant frost-tender vegetables

from about 16 November

First frost, most years

around 25 April

Frost-free days in a year

about 165

These dates are on the careful side. Many gardeners plant a few weeks earlier and cover young plants on cold nights. A low corner where cold air settles runs later. Tomatoes, capsicum, beans, zucchini, pumpkin and basil are the ones to hold back or cover.

Harder to grow in Ballarat

Needs a greenhouse or a warm, sheltered spot: basil, eggplant, rockmelon and watermelon.

Too cold here: okra and sweet potato.

Questions about planting in Ballarat

Other cities

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These dates are estimates for general guidance, based on the usual weather in Ballarat. Seasons vary from year to year, so check the seed packet and local advice as well.
Temperatures: Source: Meteostat and its data providers (CC BY 4.0). Crop temperature ranges checked against FAO ECOCROP (CC BY 4.0).