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Melbourne, Vic · vegetable planting calendar

What to plant now in Melbourne

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

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

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

When to plant the favourites in Melbourne

Tomatoes

Sow in a tray: August to November.

Plant out: October to January.

Best time to start: October to December.

Pick: January to April.

First pick about 19 weeks after starting.

Potatoes

Plant: August to March.

Best time to start: August to February.

Pick: December to July.

First pick about 12 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: July to April.

Pick: All year.

First pick about 8 weeks after starting.

Carrots

Sow in the ground: All year.

Best time to start: July to April.

Pick: All year.

First pick about 11 weeks after starting.

Bush beans

Sow in the ground: September to February.

Best time to start: September to February.

Pick: December to May.

First pick about 9 weeks after starting.

Onions

Sow in a tray: January to October.

Plant out: February to December.

Best time to start: February to December.

Pick: October to April.

First pick about 28 weeks after starting.

Strawberries

Plant: All year.

Best time to start: All year.

Pick: November to August.

First pick about 23 weeks after starting.

Pumpkins

Sow in a tray: September to December.

Sow in the ground: November to December.

Plant out: October to January.

Best time to start: October to December.

Pick: February to May.

First pick about 16 weeks after starting.

Zucchini

Sow in a tray: September to February.

Sow in the ground: November to February.

Plant out: October to March.

Best time to start: October to January.

Pick: December to May.

First pick about 8 weeks after starting.

The planting year in Melbourne

• 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: watermelon.

Melbourne season by season

Any time of year: beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, celeriac, celery, chives, kale, leek, lettuce, onion, pak choy, parsley, peas, silverbeet, spring onion, strawberry and turnip.

Frost in Melbourne

Last frost, most years

around 24 August

Safe to plant frost-tender vegetables

from about 4 September

First frost, most years

around 7 June

Frost-free days in a year

about 287

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 Melbourne

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

Questions about planting in Melbourne

Other cities

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

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