What to Plant Now in Warm Temperate Australia: Oct 2026
October is when the vegetable garden swings from cool-season to warm-season crops in Sydney and coastal NSW. Frost has mostly passed, the soil is warming and tomatoes, beans and cucumbers go in now, while the last peas and potatoes finish.
Covers: Sydney and the coastal NSW strip from Newcastle to the Illawarra. Melbourne sits between this zone and Cool Temperate, so also see that page. 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 Warm Temperate zone
A 15-second silent video summary. The words on screen are written out under the video.
Video transcript
Intro: Holly's Homestead.
SYDNEY AND COASTAL NSW. Plant THESE in October
PLANT NOW. Tomato. Beans. Cucumber. Zucchini. Corn. Basil
HARVEST NOW. Asparagus. Peas. Broccoli. Strawberries
The full list is below. Plant, harvest, jobs and what to watch for. Warm Temperate zone: October 2026
Outro: hollyshomestead.com.au.
What to plant now
| Crop | Sow or plant | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Seedlings | Plant now. In frost-prone western or higher areas, wait until late October. |
| Capsicum | Seedlings | Plant when nights are reliably mild. Chilli and eggplant go in now too. |
| Cucumber | Seed or seedlings | Trellis for clean fruit and good airflow. |
| Zucchini | Seed | One or two plants feed a household. Squash also goes in now. |
| Green Beans | Seed | Sow direct once the soil is warm, then every few weeks. |
| Corn | Seed | Plant in blocks for pollination, and sow successively. |
| Pumpkin | Seed | Plant now for autumn harvest. Needs space or a strong trellis. |
| Sweet Potato | Slips | Plant late October to November once the soil is warm. |
| Basil | Seed or seedlings | Plant beside tomatoes. It hates cold nights, so wait for warmth. |
| Potato | Seed potatoes | Last chance for the spring crop. Plant early in the month. |
| Lettuce | Seed | Keep sowing in cooler spots. Also Radish, Beetroot, Carrot and Spring Onion. |
Tap a crop for its full grow guide, with spacing, soil and a printable PDF.
What to hold off for now
Broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower. Caterpillars and heat make spring and summer planting hard work, so sow seedlings in late summer for autumn and winter harvests. Broad beans, peas and spinach are also best left to the cool months. Garlic and onions go in during autumn.
What to harvest
- Asparagus. Spears are at their best from spring. Cut when about 20 cm tall.
- Peas. Snow peas and sugar snaps are at peak, so pick every couple of days.
- Broccoli. Cut main heads and side shoots before they flower.
- Strawberry. The season builds. Pick ripe fruit daily and net against birds.
- Silverbeet. Harvest outer leaves, and keep picking lettuce and spinach before heat arrives.
- Rhubarb. Pull stalks, never cut, and never eat the leaves.
Jobs for October
- Stake or trellis tomatoes and cucumbers at planting, not later.
- Mulch beds after planting to keep the soil cool and hold moisture.
- Sow green manure or compost into spent winter beds before warm-season crops go in.
- Check irrigation and tanks. Summer water demand starts to build.
- Bushfire season is approaching. Clear gutters, long grass and loose material around buildings.
What to watch for
- Queensland fruit fly is active in Sydney from spring. Use exclusion netting or bags and traps.
- Cabbage white butterfly on any brassicas still in the ground. Cover or pick off caterpillars.
- Slugs and snails after spring rain. Check seedlings at dusk.
- Aphids and powdery mildew as growth ramps up and humidity changes.
If you keep animals
- Spring pasture growth is lush. Watch for bloat in cattle and keep an eye on stock condition.
- Flystrike risk increases with warmth and moisture. Check sheep regularly.
- Snakes are active again. Keep grass short around the house and chicken pens.
- Worm burdens rise with warm, wet weather. Use egg counts to guide drenching.
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 it safe to plant tomatoes in Sydney?
Coastal Sydney is generally safe from about September to October, and western or higher areas are safer from late October. If you plant early, have frost cloth ready.
What should I plant in October in Sydney?
Tomato, capsicum, eggplant, chilli, cucumber, zucchini, beans, corn, pumpkin and basil. Early in the month you can still put in potatoes, lettuce, carrots and beetroot.
Is Melbourne warm temperate or cool temperate?
It sits on the border. Our zone finder places Victoria in Cool Temperate, because frosts last later in many suburbs. If your garden is on the coast and rarely frosts, this page may suit you, but check the Cool Temperate page too.