October 2020
Capsicums, chillies and eggplants are making an appearance in all climate zones this month however those in cool climates will need to start in a warm spot inside, on a heat mat or similar. Heat really is the key to good germination.
Cool climate gardeners, don’t be fooled by lovely spring weather, frosts are still a real possibility and one very cold night can easily damage or kill young sensitive seedlings. Hold off for another month or so before planting seedlings out and if you need to, on-pot tomatoes seedlings so they don’t become root bound.
Lettuces can be planted in all climate zones this month, however, in tropical climates, stick with leafy varieties such as the rare and beautiful ‘Australian Yellow Leaf’. The humidity and increasing heat can cause hearting varieties to bolt and go to seed.
Radishes (a personal favourite) are quick in-between crops that grow in all climates almost all year round. When planting slower growing crops such as corn or eggplants, throw a few radish seeds between the rows. Your radishes will be ready to harvest well before they are overshadowed by the larger crops.
If you haven’t already, be sure to read our seed sowing guide for all the basic information you need to know to get your seeds off to a flying start.
Happy gardening!
Vegetable, herb and flower seeds to plant now
In Cool Climates
- Artichoke (Globe) – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings.
- Asian Greens – Sow direct
- Asparagus – Sow direct
- Beetroot – Sow direct
- Beans – Sow direct (AF)
- Broccoli – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
- Cabbage – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
- Capsicum – Sow in punnets under cover or plant out seedlings (AF)
- Cauliflower – Sow in punnets under cover
- Carrot – Sow direct
- Celery – Sow in punnets under cover or plant out seedlings
- Chilli – Sow in punnets under cover or plant out seedlings (AF)
- Corn – Sow direct (AF)
- Cucumber – Sow direct (AF) or in punnets under cover
- Eggplant – Sow in punnets under cover or plant out seedlings (AF)
- Kale – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
- Kohlrabi – Sow direct
- Lettuce – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
- Leek – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
- Onion – Plant out seedlings*
- Peas – Sow direct*
- Pumpkin – Sow direct (AF) or in punnets under cover
- Radish – Sow direct
- Rocket – Sow direct
- Silverbeet – Sow in punnets under cover or plant out seedlings
- Spinach – Sow direct or in punnets under cover or plant out seedlings
- Sugar/Snow Peas – Sow direct*
- Tomato – Sow in punnets under cover or plant out seedlings (AF)
- Turnip – Sow direct
- Zucchini – Sow direct (AF) or in punnets under cover
- Herbs – Coriander and Chives – Sow direct (AF), Parsley, Basil, Marjoram – Sow direct (AF) or in punnets
- Pollinating flowers – Sweet Alyssum, Nasturtium, Sunflower or Calendula sow direct (AF) or Marigolds or Zinnia sow direct (AF) or in punnets
* Last chance to plant or sow
In Temperate Climates
- Asian Greens – Sow direct
- Broccoli – Plant out seedlings
- Beans – Sow direct
- Beetroot – Sow direct
- Cabbage – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
- Capsicum – Sow in punnets under cover or plant out seedlings
- Carrots – Sow direct
- Celery – Sow in punnets under cover or plant out seedlings
- Chilli – Sow in punnets under cover
- Corn – Sow direct
- Cucumber – Sow direct
- Eggplant – Sow in punnets under cover
- Kohlrabi – Sow direct
- Lettuce – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
- Leek – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
- Mizuna – Sow direct
- Mustard Greens – Sow direct
- Onion – Plant out seedlings*
- Pumpkin – Sow direct
- Radish – Sow direct
- Rocket – Sow direct
- Rhubarb – Sow direct
- Silverbeet – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
- Spinach – Sow direct, can be sown in punnets
- Swede – Sow direct
- Tomato – Sow in punnets under cover
- Turnip – Sow direct
- Watermelon – Sow direct
- Zucchini – Sow direct
- Herbs – Coriander and Chives – Sow direct, Parsley, Basil, Marjoram– Sow direct(AF) or in punnets
- Pollinating flowers – Sweet Alyssum, Nasturtium, Sunflower or Calendula sow direct or Marigolds or Zinnia sow in punnets
* Last chance to plant or sow AF – After risk of frost
In Hot/Arid Climates
- Asian Greens – Sow direct
- Beans – Sow direct
- Capsicum – Sow in punnets under cover or plant out seedlings
- Carrots – Sow direct
- Chilli – Sow in punnets under cover or plant out seedlings
- Corn – Sow direct
- Cucumber – Sow direct
- Eggplant – Sow in punnets or plant out seedlings
- Lettuce – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
- Leeks – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
- Mustard Greens – Sow direct
- Onion – Plant out seedlings*
- Pumpkin – Sow direct
- Radish – Sow direct
- Rocket – Sow direct
- Silverbeet – Plant out seedlings*
- Tomato – Sow in punnets under cover or plant out seedlings
- Tomatillo – Sow in punnets under cover or plant out seedlings
- Turnip – Sow direct*
- Watermelon – Sow direct
- Zucchini – Sow direct
- Herbs – Chives, Coriander – Sow direct, Basil, Marjoram and Parsley – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
- Pollinating flowers – Sweet Alyssum, Nasturtium, Sunflower or Calendula sow direct or plant out seedlings. Marigolds or Zinnia sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings.
* Last chance to plant or sow AF – After risk of frost
In Tropical Climates
- Asian Greens – Sow direct
- Beans (Snake only) – Sow direct
- Capsicum – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
- Chilli – Sow in punnets or plant out seedlings
- Corn – Sow direct
- Cucumber – Sow direct*
- Eggplant – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
- Luffa – Sow direct
- Mustard Greens – Sow direct
- Mizuna – Sow direct
- Okra – Sow direct
- Radish – Sow direct
- Rosella – Sow direct
- Herbs – Basil and can be sown direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings and Thyme – plant out seedlings
- Pollinating Flowers – Marigolds or Zinnia sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings. Sunflower or Calendula – Sow direct
* Last chance to plant or sow
