Planting guide

What to plant in Sydney, Australia in October

Warm temperate Southern Hemisphere October

October is peak spring in Sydney. Frost risk has passed and the soil has warmed enough to plant the full range of summer crops directly — this is the month to get tomatoes, cucurbits and beans in so they establish before the humid summer arrives.

Plant now

TomatoSolanum lycopersicum

Plant out seedlings now — soil is warm enough for strong root growth, and an October planting fruits right through summer. Stake at planting time.

Capsicum, chilli, eggplant

Heat-loving seedlings that thrive planted now; give them the warmest, sunniest bed you have.

Cucumber, zucchini, pumpkinCucurbita / Cucumis spp.

Direct-sow into warm soil; they grow fast and resent transplant shock, so seed often beats seedlings.

Beans (climbing and dwarf)

Direct-sow now for a summer crop; a fresh sowing every few weeks keeps them coming.

BasilOcimum basilicum

Loves the warming soil and pairs with the tomato bed; sow or plant now for a summer supply.

Timing notes

  • October is the main warm-season planting month here — get heat-lovers in now so they're established before Sydney's humid summer, when fungal pressure rises.
  • Mulch after planting to hold moisture as the weather warms and to keep roots cool through summer.
  • Feed the soil with compost before planting; fast summer crops are hungry and draw down nutrients quickly.
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