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What to Sow Now

Your garden: Temperate zone
Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong NSW; Melbourne, Geelong VIC
October

40 vegetables, 52 herbs and 50 flowers can be sown in October in the Temperate zone. 38 close at the end of October.

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Vegetables

40

Herbs

52

Flowers

50

Fruit, tubers and canes

12

Sprouts and microgreens

Any month, in any zone, on the kitchen bench. 14 sprouting guides, from alfalfa to wheatgrass.

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Seasonal reading

All sowing calendar articles

The whole year in the Temperate zone

January

Vegetables

Amaranth, Bean, Beetroot, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Burdock, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chicory, Chinese Cabbage, Collards, Corn, Cucumber, Endive, Fennel, Gherkin, Kale, Kohl Rabi, Leek, Lettuce, Malabar Spinach, Moringa

Herbs

Basil, Cat Grass, Chives, Culantro, Dill, Giloy, Korean Mint, Parsley

Flowers

Ageratum, Amaranth Flower, Belladonna Lily, Globe Amaranth, Manuka, Marigold, Nasturtium, Nerine, Portulaca

Fruit, tubers and canes

Buckwheat Cover Crop, Cover Crop Mixes, Lablab

February

Vegetables

Amaranth, Bean, Beetroot, Broccoli, Burdock, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chicory, Chinese Broccoli, Chinese Cabbage, Collards, Corn Salad, Cress, Endive, Fennel, Kale, Kohl Rabi, Leek, Lettuce, Mustard, Parsnip

Herbs

Cat Grass, Catnip, Chervil, Chives, Dill, Giloy, Mitsuba, Motherwort, Mullein, Parsley

Flowers

Alyssum, Aquilegia, Bearded Iris, Belladonna Lily, Calendula, Candytuft, Canterbury Bells, Chrysanthemum, Dianthus, Forget Me Not, Foxglove, Gypsophila, Hollyhock, Honesty, Leucojum, Livingstone Daisy, Lobelia, Lycoris, Nasturtium, Nerine, Nigella, Pansy, Poppy

Fruit, tubers and canes

Biofumigant Mustard, Buckwheat Cover Crop, Horseradish

March

Vegetables

Beetroot, Bok Choy, Broad Bean, Broccoli, Burdock, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chicory, Chinese Broccoli, Choy Sum, Collards, Corn Salad, Cress, Endive, Fennel, Kale, Kohl Rabi, Komatsuna, Leek, Lettuce, Mesclun, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard, Parsnip

Herbs

Agrimony, Angelica, Anise Hyssop, Ashitaba, Astragalus, Black Cohosh, Borage, Caraway, Cat Grass, Catmint, Catnip, Chamomile, Chervil, Chives, Comfrey, Coriander, Dandelion, Dill, Evening Primrose, Feverfew, Herb Robert, Hyssop, Ice Plant, Lady's Mantle, Lavender, Maca, Marshmallow, Meadowsweet, Minutina, Mitsuba, Motherwort, Mountain Mint, Mugwort, Mullein, Nettle, Parsley, Phacelia, Plantain

Flowers

Alyssum, Anemone, Aquilegia, Aubretia, Baby Blue Eyes, Bearded Iris, Belladonna Lily, Bells of Ireland, Billy Buttons, Calendula, Californian Poppy, Candytuft, Canterbury Bells, Carnation, Chincherinchee, Chrysanthemum, Coreopsis, Cornflower, Crocus, Daffodil, Daylily, Delphinium, Dianthus, Dutch Iris, Everlasting Daisy, Forget Me Not, Foxglove, Freesia, Gaillardia, Godetia, Grape Hyacinth, Gypsophila, Hollyhock, Honesty, Ixia, Jonquil, Kniphofia, Lamb's Ear, Larkspur, Leucojum, Linaria, Livingstone Daisy, Lobelia, Lycoris, Nigella, Pansy, Peacock Iris, Poppy

Fruit, tubers and canes

Biofumigant Mustard, Chicken Forage Mix, Cover Crop Mixes, Elephant garlic, Garlic, Horseradish

April

Vegetables

Beetroot, Bok Choy, Broad Bean, Broccoli, Carrot, Chinese Broccoli, Choy Sum, Corn Salad, Cress, Endive, Fennel, Kale, Kohl Rabi, Komatsuna, Lettuce, Mesclun, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard, Onion, Parsnip, Pea

Herbs

Agrimony, Angelica, Anise Hyssop, Ashitaba, Astragalus, Black Cohosh, Borage, Caraway, Cat Grass, Catmint, Chamomile, Chervil, Chives, Comfrey, Coriander, Dandelion, Dill, Evening Primrose, Feverfew, Herb Robert, Hyssop, Lady's Mantle, Lavender, Maca, Marshmallow, Meadowsweet, Minutina, Mitsuba, Nettle, Parsley, Phacelia, Plantain

Flowers

Allium, Alyssum, Anemone, Aquilegia, Aubretia, Baby Blue Eyes, Bearded Iris, Bells of Ireland, Billy Buttons, Calendula, Californian Poppy, Candytuft, Canterbury Bells, Carnation, Chincherinchee, Chrysanthemum, Coreopsis, Cornflower, Crocus, Daffodil, Daylily, Delphinium, Dianthus, Dutch Iris, Everlasting Daisy, Forget Me Not, Foxglove, Freesia, Gaillardia, Godetia, Grape Hyacinth, Gypsophila, Hollyhock, Honesty, Hyacinth, Ixia, Jonquil, Kniphofia, Lamb's Ear, Larkspur, Leucojum, Linaria, Livingstone Daisy, Lobelia, Lycoris, Nigella, Pansy, Peacock Iris, Penstemon, Poppy

Fruit, tubers and canes

Biofumigant Mustard, Chicken Forage Mix, Cover Crop Mixes, Elephant garlic, Garlic

May

Vegetables

Bok Choy, Broad Bean, Broccoli, Choy Sum, Corn Salad, Cress, Kale, Komatsuna, Lettuce, Mesclun, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard, Onion, Pea

Herbs

Agrimony, Angelica, Ashitaba, Astragalus, Black Cohosh, Cat Grass, Chervil, Coriander, Herb Robert, Lavender, Maca, Meadowsweet, Minutina, Parsley, Phacelia, Plantain

Flowers

Allium, Alyssum, Anemone, Aquilegia, Baby Blue Eyes, Bells of Ireland, Calendula, Candytuft, Canterbury Bells, Carnation, Chincherinchee, Chrysanthemum, Coreopsis, Cornflower, Crocus, Daffodil, Daylily, Delphinium, Dianthus, Dutch Iris, Everlasting Daisy, Forget Me Not, Foxglove, Freesia, Godetia, Grape Hyacinth, Gypsophila, Hollyhock, Honesty, Hyacinth, Ixia, Jonquil, Kniphofia, Lamb's Ear, Larkspur, Leucojum, Lilium, Linaria, Livingstone Daisy, Lobelia, Nigella, Pansy, Peacock Iris, Penstemon, Peony, Poppy

Fruit, tubers and canes

Chicken Forage Mix, Cover Crop Mixes, Elephant garlic, Garlic

June

Vegetables

Broad Bean, Lettuce, Onion, Pea

Herbs

Cat Grass

Flowers

Anemone, Astilbe, Candytuft, Canterbury Bells, Daylily, Dutch Iris, Godetia, Lilium, Lily Of The Valley, Linaria, Peony

Fruit, tubers and canes

Black Currant, Blackberry, Boysenberry, Lawtonberry, Loganberry

July

Vegetables

Broad Bean, Leek, Lettuce, Onion, Pea

Herbs

Cat Grass

Flowers

Astilbe, Candytuft, Canterbury Bells, Lilium, Lily Of The Valley, Peony

Fruit, tubers and canes

Black Currant, Blackberry, Boysenberry, Lawtonberry, Loganberry

August

Vegetables

Artichoke, Beetroot, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cape Gooseberry, Capsicum, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celery, Chicory, Chilli, Chinese Broccoli, Choy Sum, Collards, Cress, Eggplant, Endive, Fennel, Kale, Kohl Rabi, Komatsuna, Leek, Lettuce, Mesclun, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard, Onion, Parsnip, Pea

Herbs

Agrimony, Ashitaba, Astragalus, Black Cohosh, Cat Grass, Chamomile, Chervil, Chives, Coriander, Dill, Echinacea, Golden Chamomile, Herb Robert, Lady's Mantle, Lemon Balm, Meadowsweet, Mint, Minutina, Parsley, Phacelia

Flowers

Alyssum, Astilbe, Aubretia, Begonia, Bells of Ireland, Billy Buttons, Brachycome, Californian Poppy, Calla Lily, Candytuft, Canna Lily, Canterbury Bells, Carnation, Coreopsis, Daylily, Delphinium, Dianthus, Everlasting Daisy, Gladioli, Godetia, Gypsophila, Hippeastrum, Hollyhock, Honesty, Impatiens, Larkspur, Liatris, Lilium, Linaria, Lobelia, Penstemon, Petunia, Phlox

Fruit, tubers and canes

Black Currant, Blackberry, Boysenberry, Chicken Forage Mix, Lawtonberry, Loganberry, Passionfruit

September

Vegetables

Amaranth, Artichoke, Beetroot, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Burdock, Cabbage, Cape Gooseberry, Capsicum, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celery, Chicory, Chilli, Chinese Broccoli, Chinese Cabbage, Choy Sum, Collards, Corn, Cress, Cucamelon, Cucumber, Eggplant, Endive, Fennel, Gherkin, Gourd, Kale, Kohl Rabi, Komatsuna, Leek, Lettuce, Malabar Spinach, Mesclun, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard, Onion, Parsnip, Pea

Herbs

Agrimony, Angelica, Anise, Anise Hyssop, Ashitaba, Ashwagandha, Astragalus, Basil, Black Cohosh, Borage, Caraway, Cat Grass, Catmint, Catnip, Chamomile, Chervil, Chinese Liquorice, Chives, Clary Sage, Comfrey, Coriander, Culantro, Dandelion, Dang Shen, Dill, Echinacea, Evening Primrose, Feverfew, Golden Chamomile, Herb Robert, Hyssop, Ice Plant, Jiaogulan, Korean Mint, Lady's Mantle, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Lemon Mint, Lemongrass, Lovage, Marshmallow, Meadowsweet, Mint, Minutina, Mitsuba, Moldavian Dragonhead, Mountain Mint, Mugwort, Nettle, Oregano, Parsley, Phacelia, Plantain

Flowers

Ageratum, Alyssum, Amaranth Flower, Aster, Aubretia, Baby Blue Eyes, Balloon Flower, Begonia, Bells of Ireland, Billy Buttons, Brachycome, Calendula, Californian Poppy, Calla Lily, Canna Lily, Canterbury Bells, Carnation, Celosia, Chrysanthemum, Coreopsis, Cornflower, Cosmos, Crinum, Dahlia, Daylily, Delphinium, Dianthus, Everlasting Daisy, Gaillardia, Gladioli, Globe Amaranth, Godetia, Gypsophila, Hippeastrum, Hollyhock, Honesty, Impatiens, Kniphofia, Lamb's Ear, Larkspur, Liatris, Linaria, Marigold, Nasturtium, Penstemon, Petunia, Phlox, Pineapple Lily, Portulaca

Fruit, tubers and canes

Artichoke Jerusalem, Asparagus, Biofumigant Mustard, Chicken Forage Mix, Cover Crop Mixes, Ginger, Goji Berry, Horseradish, Passionfruit

October This month

Vegetables

Amaranth, Artichoke, Bean, Beetroot, Bitter Melon, Bok Choy, Burdock, Cabbage, Cape Gooseberry, Capsicum, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celery, Chicory, Chilli, Chinese Broccoli, Chinese Cabbage, Choy Sum, Collards, Corn, Cress, Cucamelon, Cucumber, Eggplant, Egyptian Spinach, Endive, Gherkin, Gourd, Kang Kong, Kohl Rabi, Komatsuna, Leek, Lettuce, Malabar Spinach, Mesclun, Moringa, Mustard, Okra, Parsnip, Peanut

Herbs

Agrimony, Angelica, Anise, Anise Hyssop, Ashwagandha, Astragalus, Basil, Borage, Caper Bush, Cat Grass, Catmint, Catnip, Chamomile, Chervil, Chinese Liquorice, Chives, Clary Sage, Comfrey, Coriander, Culantro, Dandelion, Dang Shen, Dill, Echinacea, Evening Primrose, Feverfew, Giloy, Golden Chamomile, Hyssop, Ice Plant, Jiaogulan, Korean Mint, Lady's Mantle, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Lemon Mint, Lemongrass, Lovage, Marshmallow, Meadowsweet, Mint, Mitsuba, Moldavian Dragonhead, Motherwort, Mountain Mint, Mugwort, Mullein, Nettle, Oregano, Parsley, Phacelia, Plantain

Flowers

Ageratum, Alyssum, Amaranth Flower, Aster, Baby Blue Eyes, Balloon Flower, Begonia, Bells of Ireland, Billy Buttons, Brachycome, Calendula, Californian Poppy, Calla Lily, Canna Lily, Canterbury Bells, Cardinal Climber, Carnation, Celosia, Chrysanthemum, Coreopsis, Cornflower, Cosmos, Crinum, Dahlia, Delphinium, Dianthus, Everlasting Daisy, Four O'Clock, Gaillardia, Gladioli, Globe Amaranth, Gypsophila, Hippeastrum, Hollyhock, Honesty, Impatiens, Ismene, Kniphofia, Lamb's Ear, Liatris, Manuka, Marigold, Moonflower, Morning Glory, Nasturtium, Penstemon, Petunia, Phlox, Pineapple Lily, Portulaca

Fruit, tubers and canes

Artichoke Jerusalem, Asparagus, Biofumigant Mustard, Buckwheat Cover Crop, Chicken Forage Mix, Cover Crop Mixes, Galangal, Ginger, Goji Berry, Horseradish, Lablab, Passionfruit

November

Vegetables

Amaranth, Artichoke, Bean, Beetroot, Bitter Melon, Burdock, Cabbage, Cape Gooseberry, Capsicum, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celery, Chilli, Collards, Corn, Cress, Cucamelon, Cucumber, Egyptian Spinach, Endive, Gherkin, Gourd, Kang Kong, Leek, Lettuce, Malabar Spinach, Moringa, Okra, Parsnip, Peanut

Herbs

Angelica, Anise, Anise Hyssop, Ashwagandha, Basil, Borage, Caper Bush, Cat Grass, Catmint, Catnip, Chamomile, Chinese Liquorice, Chives, Clary Sage, Culantro, Dandelion, Dang Shen, Dill, Echinacea, Evening Primrose, Feverfew, Giloy, Golden Chamomile, Hyssop, Ice Plant, Jiaogulan, Korean Mint, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Lemon Mint, Lemongrass, Lovage, Marshmallow, Mint, Mitsuba, Moldavian Dragonhead, Motherwort, Mountain Mint, Mugwort, Mullein, Nettle, Oregano, Parsley, Plantain

Flowers

Ageratum, Alyssum, Amaranth Flower, Aster, Balloon Flower, Begonia, Billy Buttons, Brachycome, Calendula, Californian Poppy, Canna Lily, Cardinal Climber, Celosia, Cosmos, Crinum, Dahlia, Four O'Clock, Gladioli, Globe Amaranth, Gypsophila, Impatiens, Ismene, Kniphofia, Lamb's Ear, Manuka, Marigold, Moonflower, Morning Glory, Nasturtium, Petunia, Phlox, Pineapple Lily, Portulaca

Fruit, tubers and canes

Artichoke Jerusalem, Asparagus, Buckwheat Cover Crop, Cover Crop Mixes, Galangal, Ginger, Goji Berry, Horseradish, Lablab

December

Vegetables

Amaranth, Bean, Beetroot, Bitter Melon, Brussels Sprouts, Burdock, Cabbage, Cape Gooseberry, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celery, Chicory, Chinese Cabbage, Collards, Corn, Cucamelon, Cucumber, Egyptian Spinach, Gherkin, Gourd, Kang Kong, Leek, Lettuce, Malabar Spinach, Moringa, Okra, Peanut

Herbs

Anise, Basil, Borage, Cat Grass, Catnip, Chives, Culantro, Dill, Giloy, Hyssop, Jiaogulan, Korean Mint, Lemon Balm, Lemon Mint, Lovage, Mint, Motherwort, Oregano, Parsley

Flowers

Ageratum, Amaranth Flower, Aster, Belladonna Lily, Brachycome, Cardinal Climber, Celosia, Cosmos, Four O'Clock, Globe Amaranth, Impatiens, Manuka, Marigold, Moonflower, Morning Glory, Nasturtium, Nerine, Phlox, Portulaca

Fruit, tubers and canes

Buckwheat Cover Crop, Cover Crop Mixes, Lablab

Shop by category

Seed potatoes, garlic bulbs, crowns, canes and strawberry runners are living stock, so they are only available around their planting windows. If the shelf looks bare outside those months, that is the season talking, not the warehouse. A note on seed potatoes: we cannot send them to Western Australia, Tasmania or Kangaroo Island, quarantine's orders.

Common questions

My town is not on the map. Which chart do I use?

Use the postcode finder above, or pick the listed town with the most similar weather to yours. Inland and uphill usually means cooler nights: when torn between two zones, the cooler one is the safer bet in spring and the warmer one in autumn.

Why does the list change so much between zones?

Because a frost that flattens a tomato seedling in Canberra simply never happens in Darwin. Same country, different rules. Sow with your season rather than against it and the garden does most of the heavy lifting.

What does "undercover" mean?

A seed tray somewhere bright and protected: a greenhouse, a cold frame, a sunny windowsill. It buys frost-tender crops like tomatoes and chillies a head start of six to eight weeks while it is still too cold outside.

How exact are these windows?

They are honest averages, not laws of physics. A warm sheltered courtyard in Melbourne can run a fortnight ahead of the chart; a frost hollow outside Orange can run a month behind. Watch your own conditions and adjust. Gardeners have argued about this happily for centuries.

Stuck on something?
The people who pack the seed answer questions at support@happyvalleyseeds.com.au on weekdays, 9am to 5pm AEST.