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Canberra, ACT · vegetable planting calendar

What to plant now in Canberra

This month's sowing list for Canberra, 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 Canberra in October

Names with a dashed outline can be started now, but it is not their best time.

Last month to start: broad beans, capsicum, cauliflower, chilli, eggplant and swede.

When to plant the favourites in Canberra

Tomatoes

Sow in a tray: October to November.

Plant out: December.

Pick: March.

First pick about 19 weeks after starting.

Potatoes

Plant: October to January.

Best time to start: October to January.

Pick: January to May.

First pick about 10 weeks after starting.

Garlic

Plant: March to June.

Best time to start: March to June.

Pick: November to January.

First pick about 28 weeks after starting.

Lettuce

Sow in the ground: July to March.

Best time to start: August to March.

Pick: November to July.

First pick about 7 weeks after starting.

Carrots

Sow in the ground: August to March.

Best time to start: August to February.

Pick: November to September.

First pick about 9 weeks after starting.

Bush beans

Sow in the ground: December to January.

Best time to start: December to January.

Pick: February to March.

First pick about 9 weeks after starting.

Onions

Sow in a tray: June to October and December to April.

Plant out: February to May and August to December.

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

Pick: November to April.

First pick about 27 weeks after starting.

Strawberries

Plant: February to May and August to December.

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

Pick: November to July.

First pick about 20 weeks after starting.

Pumpkins

Sow in a tray: November.

Plant out: December.

Pick: March.

First pick about 16 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 8 weeks after starting.

The planting year in Canberra

• 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: eggplant.

Canberra season by season

Any time of year: onion and peas.

Frost in Canberra

Last frost, most years

around 30 October

Safe to plant frost-tender vegetables

from about 2 December

First frost, most years

around 12 April

Frost-free days in a year

about 164

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 Canberra

Needs a greenhouse or a warm, sheltered spot: okra, rockmelon, sweet potato and watermelon.

Questions about planting in Canberra

Other cities

What to plant now in Sydney · What to plant now in Melbourne · What to plant now in Brisbane · What to plant now in Perth · What to plant now in Adelaide · What to plant now in Hobart

These dates are estimates for general guidance, based on the usual weather in Canberra. 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).