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Cape Town, Western Cape · vegetable planting calendar

What to plant now in Cape Town

This month's sowing list for Cape Town, 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 Cape Town in October

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

Last month to start: spinach.

When to plant the favourites in Cape Town

Tomatoes

Sow in a tray: July to December.

Plant out: September to February.

Best time to start: September to January.

Pick: December to June.

First pick about 19 weeks after starting.

Potatoes

Plant: July to April.

Best time to start: July to April.

Pick: November to August.

First pick about 11 weeks after starting.

Garlic

Plant: April to July.

Best time to start: April to July.

Pick: October to January.

First pick about 24 weeks after starting.

Lettuce

Sow in the ground: All year.

Best time to start: All year.

Pick: All year.

First pick about 7 weeks after starting.

Carrots

Sow in the ground: All year.

Best time to start: All year.

Pick: All year.

First pick about 9 weeks after starting.

Bush beans

Sow in the ground: August to March.

Best time to start: August to March.

Pick: November to July.

First pick about 9 weeks after starting.

Onions

Sow in a tray: January to October.

Plant out: March to November.

Best time to start: March to November.

Pick: June to March.

First pick about 24 weeks after starting.

Strawberries

Plant: March to December.

Best time to start: March to December.

Pick: All year.

First pick about 19 weeks after starting.

Pumpkins

Sow in a tray: August to January.

Sow in the ground: September to February.

Plant out: September to February.

Best time to start: September to February.

Pick: January to June.

First pick about 16 weeks after starting.

Baby marrows

Sow in a tray: August to March.

Sow in the ground: September to March.

Plant out: September to April.

Best time to start: September to March.

Pick: November to June.

First pick about 8 weeks after starting.

The planting year in Cape Town

• 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.

Cape Town season by season

Any time of year: beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, celeriac, celery, chives, dill, kale, leek, lettuce, pak choy, parsley, parsnip, peas, radish, rocket, spring onion, Swiss chard and turnip.

Frost in Cape Town

Frost nights in a year

about 2, none in some winters

Frost is unlikely after

about 18 August

Frosts in Cape Town are few, but they do come. On a still, clear night the grass and low plants can frost while the air a little higher stays just above freezing, so plants in the open may see more frosts than this count. A low corner where cold air settles gets it first, and later into spring. The end of frost is not the time to plant: tender vegetables also need warmth, so go by the months for each vegetable above.

Questions about planting in Cape Town

Other cities

What to plant now in Johannesburg · What to plant now in Durban

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