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Johannesburg, Gauteng · vegetable planting calendar

What to plant now in Johannesburg

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

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

Last month to start: eggplant (brinjal) and swede.

When to plant the favourites in Johannesburg

Tomatoes

Sow in a tray: August to December.

Plant out: October to January.

Best time to start: October to December.

Pick: January to May.

First pick about 19 weeks after starting.

Potatoes

Plant: August to March.

Best time to start: August to March.

Pick: November to July.

First pick about 10 weeks after starting.

Garlic

Plant: April to June.

Best time to start: April to June.

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 6 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: October to February.

Best time to start: October to February.

Pick: December to May.

First pick about 9 weeks after starting.

Onions

Sow in a tray: December to October.

Plant out: February to December.

Best time to start: February to December.

Pick: May to July and September to March.

First pick about 23 weeks after starting.

Strawberries

Plant: All year.

Best time to start: All year.

Pick: All year.

First pick about 18 weeks after starting.

Pumpkins

Sow in a tray: September to December.

Sow in the ground: October to January.

Plant out: October to January.

Best time to start: October to January.

Pick: January to May.

First pick about 16 weeks after starting.

Baby marrows

Sow in a tray: September to February.

Sow in the ground: October to February.

Plant out: October to March.

Best time to start: October to February.

Pick: November to May.

First pick about 8 weeks after starting.

The planting year in Johannesburg

• 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 (brinjal), sweet potato and watermelon.

Johannesburg season by season

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

Frost in Johannesburg

Last frost, most years

around 25 August

Safe to plant frost-tender vegetables

from about 29 September

First frost, most years

around 5 June

Frost-free days in a year

about 284

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, peppers, beans, baby marrows, pumpkins and basil are the ones to hold back or cover.

Harder to grow in Johannesburg

Needs a greenhouse or a warm, sheltered spot: okra.

Questions about planting in Johannesburg

Other cities

What to plant now in Cape Town · What to plant now in Durban

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