What to Plant Now in the Subtropics: October 2026
October is the big warm-season planting month in the subtropics. Frost is behind you, nights are mild and the soil is warm, so tomatoes, beans, cucumbers and pumpkins all go in now. The last of the cool-season crops are finishing.
Covers: Brisbane, the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, the northern NSW coast, Rockhampton and Mackay. 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 Subtropical zone
A 15-second silent video summary. The words on screen are written out under the video.
Video transcript
Intro: Holly's Homestead.
BRISBANE · GOLD COAST · NORTHERN NSW. Plant THESE in October
PLANT NOW. Tomato. Capsicum. Zucchini. Cucumber. Corn. Sweet potato
HARVEST NOW. Strawberries. Broccoli. Lettuce. Mulberry
The full list is below. Plant, harvest, jobs and what to watch for. Subtropical zone: October 2026
Outro: hollyshomestead.com.au.
What to plant now
| Crop | Sow or plant | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Seedlings | Stake at planting. Plant now and again in a few weeks to spread the harvest. |
| Capsicum | Seedlings | Slow to start, so get plants in early. Chilli and eggplant go in now too. |
| Zucchini | Seed | Fast and productive. Space for airflow because powdery mildew arrives with humidity. |
| Cucumber | Seed | Trellis it to keep fruit clean and save space. |
| Pumpkin | Seed | Give vines plenty of room, or train them up a strong trellis. |
| Corn | Seed | Plant in blocks, not a single row, so wind-borne pollen reaches the silks. |
| Green Beans / Snake Beans | Seed | Snake beans handle the humid summer better. Sow every few weeks. |
| Sweet Potato | Slips | Plant now for an autumn harvest. It tolerates heat and poor soil. |
| Okra | Seed | Loves the warm soil. Pick pods young. |
| Watermelon / Rockmelon | Seed | Plant through October and November in full sun with plenty of space. |
| Lettuce | Seed | Still fine with afternoon shade. Switch to heat-tolerant varieties. |
| Basil | Seed or seedlings | Plant beside tomatoes. Also sow Radish, Beetroot and Spring Onion while the weather is mild. |
Tap a crop for its full grow guide, with spacing, soil and a printable PDF.
What to hold off for now
Peas, broad beans, cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli. They bolt in the heat and attract caterpillars. Sow them again from about March. The spring potato window is closing too, and garlic and onions go in during autumn.
What to harvest
- Strawberry. Peak season runs through spring. Pick often and net against birds.
- Broccoli. Cut the last heads before they flower, then pull the plants.
- Lettuce. Harvest outer leaves and pick before heat makes them bitter.
- Mulberry. Fruiting through spring and early summer. Lay a sheet under the tree to catch them.
- Silverbeet. Cut outer leaves regularly. Kale also keeps going until the heat.
- Peas. Finishing now. Pick everything and pull the vines, leaving the roots in the soil for nitrogen.
Jobs for October
- Stake tomatoes at planting and tie them in every week or two as they grow.
- Mulch beds 7 to 10 cm deep before the summer heat and storms.
- Set up shade cloth for lettuce and young seedlings during hot spells.
- Storm season starts. Clear gutters, check first-flush diverters and secure trellises.
- Feed citrus and fruit trees with a slow-release fertiliser as spring growth peaks.
What to watch for
- Queensland fruit fly becomes active as it warms. Use exclusion bags or nets on tomatoes and fruit, and set traps.
- Powdery mildew on zucchini, cucumber and pumpkin. Water the soil, not the leaves.
- Aphids, whitefly and green vegetable bugs build in warm weather. Check the undersides of leaves.
- Hot dry spells can scorch seedlings. Water deeply, not often.
If you keep animals
- Flystrike risk climbs with warm, humid weather. Check sheep and goats regularly and keep rear ends clean.
- Barber's pole worm thrives in warm, wet conditions. Use faecal egg counts and FAMACHA scoring rather than drenching on a calendar.
- Paralysis ticks are active in spring. Check dogs and cats daily.
- Heat: shade and cool water for poultry, and watch for red mite in coops.
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 can I plant tomatoes in Brisbane?
Planting runs from about August to March, and October is a good month. Stake early and watch for fruit fly.
What can I still plant in October in Brisbane?
Almost all the warm-season crops: tomato, capsicum, eggplant, chilli, cucumber, zucchini, pumpkin, corn, beans, sweet potato, okra and melons. Lettuce, radish and beetroot also work in the mild weather.
Is it too late to plant peas in the subtropics?
Yes, in October. Peas want cool weather and they will bolt or fail in the heat. Plant again from about March.