What to Plant Now in Cool Temperate Australia: Oct 2026
October is spring, but frosts are still possible in cool temperate regions. Sow cool-season crops and plant potatoes now, start frost-tender crops indoors, and hold off planting tomatoes and beans outdoors until the last frost has passed.
Covers: Tasmania, Victoria, Canberra and the ACT, and the NSW tablelands and highlands. Windows shown are typical, so adjust for your own frost dates and microclimate. Not sure of your zone?
Watch: what to plant in October in the Cool Temperate zone
A 15-second silent video summary. The words on screen are written out under the video.
Video transcript
Intro: Holly's Homestead.
TASMANIA · VICTORIA · CANBERRA. Plant THESE in October
PLANT NOW. Potato. Peas. Lettuce. Carrot. Onion seedlings. Silverbeet
HARVEST NOW. Asparagus. Rhubarb. Spinach. Spring herbs
The full list is below. Plant, harvest, jobs and what to watch for. Cool Temperate zone: October 2026
Outro: hollyshomestead.com.au.
What to plant now
| Crop | Sow or plant | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Potato | Seed potatoes | Last good window for the spring crop. Hill the soil up as shoots appear to protect from frost. |
| Peas | Seed | Sow now for a summer harvest. Snow peas and sugar snaps are good choices. |
| Lettuce | Seed | Sow every two weeks for continuous harvest. |
| Carrot | Seed | Direct sow in loose soil. Also Beetroot, Radish and Parsnip. |
| Onion | Seedlings | Plant seedlings now for a late summer harvest. Also Leek and Spring Onion. |
| Silverbeet | Seed or seedlings | Hardy and productive. Kale and Spinach also go in now. |
| Cabbage | Seedlings | Plant seedlings of summer cabbage and broccoli. Cover for cabbage white butterfly. |
| Broad Beans | Seed | Late sowing. Peas and broad beans both like cool weather. |
| Parsley | Seed or seedlings | Plant herbs now. Also Chives, Dill, Coriander and Thyme. |
| Tomato | Seed indoors | Start seed indoors now to plant out after the last frost. Many gardeners use early November, or Melbourne Cup Day, as a rule of thumb. |
Tap a crop for its full grow guide, with spacing, soil and a printable PDF.
What to hold off for now
Frost-tender crops outdoors: tomato, capsicum, eggplant, cucumber, zucchini, beans, corn, pumpkin and basil. A single late frost can kill them. Harden off seedlings and wait for the last frost, usually late October to November depending on your area.
What to harvest
- Asparagus. Spears are at their best through spring. Cut when about 20 cm tall.
- Rhubarb. Pull stalks, never cut, and never eat the leaves.
- English Spinach. Pick before it bolts as the weather warms.
- Kale. Overwintered plants send up flower shoots, which are good to eat.
- Leek. Pull the last of the winter leeks.
- Parsley. Spring herbs are growing fast. Pick regularly.
Jobs for October
- Keep frost cloth or old sheets handy for cold nights, and cover tender seedlings before dusk.
- Harden off seedlings for a week before planting them out.
- Mulch after the soil has warmed, not before, so you do not keep the cold in.
- Sow green manure in empty beds, and add compost before the main summer planting.
- Prune after flowering where needed. Stone fruit is best pruned after harvest, not in winter.
What to watch for
- Late frosts. Check forecasts through October and early November.
- Slugs and snails after spring rain. Check seedlings at dusk.
- Codling moth begins from late spring in apples and pears. Hang traps and bag fruit.
- Aphids and cabbage white butterfly as the weather warms.
If you keep animals
- Lush spring pasture can cause bloat in cattle and grass tetany, especially in lactating cows. Talk to your vet about magnesium and feeding strategy.
- Lambing and kidding are under way. Provide shelter on cold, wet nights.
- Flystrike risk rises with warmth and moisture. Check sheep regularly.
- Snakes wake up as it warms. Keep grass short around sheds and poultry pens.
Animal rules differ by state. See our My Council in One Place tool, or the backyard livestock rules by state.
Other climate zones
This page is refreshed every month. Next update: 1 November 2026. General guidance only: always check local conditions, council rules and your own frost dates.
Also in Garden News: why more Australians are turning to self-sufficiency in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the last frost in Melbourne, Canberra or Tasmania?
It varies with your location and altitude. Often late September to October in many Melbourne suburbs, later in Canberra, and into November in Tasmania, the tablelands and the highlands. Local frost can still strike in cold hollows, so check your own records.
Is it too early to plant tomatoes in October in Victoria?
Usually, yes, outdoors. Start seed indoors and plant out after the last frost, often early November. If you plant earlier, protect them overnight with cloches or frost cloth.
What can I plant now in Tasmania?
Potatoes, peas, lettuce, carrots, beetroot, parsnip, onions, leeks, silverbeet and brassica seedlings. Start frost-tender crops indoors and plant out later.