GrowCalAustralia

Canberra, ACT · Cool temperate, frosty

What to plant in Canberra in October

A data-backed october starting point for the Canberra & the ACT growing profile. GrowCal uses this profile to resolve the baseline schedule for each plant.

What to plant in October

These plants have dated GrowCal schedule data for this regional profile and include a sow or plant-out action in October. Select a plant name to read its broader Australian guide.

Basil

Sow seeds

Sow into punnets once frost has passed and pinch out flower buds to keep leaves coming. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Brussels Sprouts

Sow seeds

A long, cold-season crop — worth the wait after the first frosts. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Cabbage

Sow seeds

Space generously and net against cabbage whites. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Carrot

Sow seeds

Sow direct into deep, friable, stone-free soil and keep the surface damp. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Chives

Sow seeds · Plant out

Plant in clumps and cut leaves at the base; divide established clumps to make more. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Coriander

Sow seeds · Plant out

Sow direct into cool-season beds and keep it moist; heat and root disturbance make it bolt. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Cucumber

Sow seeds

Train up a trellis for straighter fruit and far less mildew. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Dill

Sow seeds · Plant out

Sow direct in a sheltered sunny spot; it runs to seed quickly, so keep sowing. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Leek

Sow seeds

Plant deep and mound soil up the stems for a long white shank. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Lemon

Plant out · Pest & disease check

The most forgiving citrus, and the one most worth a big pot. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Lemongrass

Sow seeds · Plant out

Full sun and moist, well-drained soil; it is frost tender, so pot it in cold districts. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Lettuce

Sow seeds

Pick outer leaves and keep water up — heat and dryness turn lettuce bitter. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Lime

Plant out · Pest & disease check

Tahitian lime is the reliable backyard pick; West Indian lime resents cold. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Mandarin

Plant out · Pest & disease check

Thin-skinned and easy to peel — the best citrus for a small yard. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Mint

Sow seeds · Plant out

Plant into a pot or a contained bed — mint runs, and it prefers moist soil in light shade. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Onion

Sow seeds

Choose a variety matched to your day length and keep the bed weed free. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Orange

Plant out · Pest & disease check

Feed three times a year and keep the trunk clear of mulch. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Oregano

Sow seeds · Plant out

Keep it on the dry side and harvest often — unpicked plants turn hard and woody. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Parsley

Sow seeds · Plant out

Direct sow or plant seedlings; cut outer stems at the base so the plant keeps reshooting. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Rocket

Sow seeds

Fast, hardy and best picked young; water well or it turns hot and bitter. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Rockmelon

Sow seeds · Feed & fertilise

Frost sensitive and hungry for sun — give it six hours a day and room to spread. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Rosemary

Sow seeds

Give it hot, dry, well-drained conditions; in the tropics and subtropics keep it in a pot. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Sage

Sow seeds · Plant out · Prune

A permanent full-sun spot with very sharp drainage; do not enrich the soil. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Spring Onion

Sow seeds

Grown as a cut-and-come-again crop; a few clumps cover most kitchen needs. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Strawberry

Sow seeds · Plant out · Feed & fertilise

Plant runners into free-draining soil, mulch with straw and feed while fruiting. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Thyme

Sow seeds · Plant out

Full sun and gritty, free-draining soil; shear off spent flowerheads to keep new growth coming. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Tomato

Plant out

Plant deeply, stake early and water at the base to keep leaves dry. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Watermelon

Sow seeds · Feed & fertilise

Sow into warm soil with room to run, and ease off water once the fruit sizes up. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

October garden jobs

GrowCal also surfaces maintenance and harvest actions when the resolved schedule lists them for this month.

Vegetables

Herbs

Fruit & Berries

Fruit Trees & Citrus

  • LemonPlant out · Pest & disease check
  • LimePlant out · Pest & disease check
  • MandarinPlant out · Pest & disease check
  • OrangePlant out · Pest & disease check

Why timing varies locally

Canberra is not one uniform growing environment. This page uses the mapped Canberra & the ACT profile, while a nearby locality may resolve differently. Frost pockets, shade, soil, aspect and the variety you grow can all change what is sensible in a particular garden. Treat these dates as a prompt to look at your garden, not a rigid instruction.

Read the GrowCal data & methodology for sources, validation status and limitations.

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Enter your suburb, city or postcode to resolve the regional profile for your own garden and choose the plants you grow.

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