GrowCalAustralia

Melbourne, VIC · Cool temperate

What to plant in Melbourne in October

A data-backed october starting point for the Melbourne & Port Phillip 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.

Avocado

Plant out · Feed & fertilise

Drainage matters more than anything else — plant high on a mound. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Basil

Sow seeds · Plant out

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.

Beetroot

Sow seeds

Thin seedlings early — each seed cluster produces several plants. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Bok Choy

Sow seeds

Grows fast in cool weather; harvest at any size you like. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Broccoli

Sow seeds

Feed well, watch for cabbage white caterpillars and cut the main head before it opens. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Celery

Sow seeds

Plant in a block for longer stems, and never let it dry out. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Chilli

Sow seeds · Plant out · Feed & fertilise

Start in punnets and plant out once nights are warm; pots suit cool zones. 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.

Eggplant

Sow seeds

Loves heat; pick while the skin is still glossy. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Fennel

Sow seeds · Plant out · Feed & fertilise

Grown for the swollen bulb; blanch it late to keep the flavour sweet. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Ginger

Plant out

Plant rhizome pieces into a warm, shady spot and leave them a full season to bulk up. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Kale

Sow seeds

Pick outer leaves as you need them and the plant keeps producing for months. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Parsnip

Sow seeds

Sow fresh seed straight into deeply dug soil and be patient with germination. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Potato

Plant out

Plant certified seed potatoes in well-drained soil and mound as they grow. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Rockmelon

Sow seeds · Plant out · 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 · Plant out

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.

Sweet Corn

Sow seeds

Plant in a block, not a row, so the flowers pollinate each other. This is a october action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Sweet Potato

Plant out · Feed & fertilise

Start from a shop-bought tuber or a cutting; it will cover a lot of ground. 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 · Plant out · 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

  • RockmelonSow seeds · Plant out · Feed & fertilise
  • WatermelonSow seeds · Plant out · Feed & fertilise

Fruit Trees & Citrus

Why timing varies locally

Melbourne is not one uniform growing environment. This page uses the mapped Melbourne & Port Phillip 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.

Ready to plan your year?

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

Build my personalised calendar