What to plant in October in Melbourne

First, any seeds planted in September in punnets that have reached the 4-leaf stage can be pricked out and planted in potting mix in trays or pots. These can be planted in the garden late October.

• For the best site (sun, partial sun, partial shade) in the garden for each vegetable read ‘How much sun do my vegies need?‘
• For preparation for a spring/summer garden read ‘Preparing a spring/summer garden‘
• For directions for planting in punnets go to: ‘How to plant seeds in punnets‘

Plant in punnets

Celery, corn (need at least 20 plants, planted out in a grid pattern), cucumber, endive, Florence fennel, leek, lettuce and all salad greens, onion, melon, pumpkin, silver beet, spinach, spring onion, tomato, zucchini, and basil if you can keep it warm night and day.

In punnets if you have a heat mat

Capsicum, chilli, eggplant and basil. Set temperature to 21C.

Sow following seeds direct into the ground

Asian greens* – including bok choy, pak choy, and tatsoi, – bush and climbing beans, beetroot, carrot, corn, daikon, kohlrabi, mustard greens, parsnip, radish, rocket, turnip, and annual herbs of coriander, chervil and dill.

• Plant Asian greens very close together (broadcast seed thickly rather than planting in rows) so plants will be touching. This prevents insects from ‘getting to the leaves’ and eating them.
• Provide frames for climbing beans and peas.
• Thin root vegetables leaving the expected diameter of the vegetable, plus a bit, between each one.
• Protect your seedlings from snails and slugs.

Plant out seedlings

Bush and climbing beans, capsicum and chilli, celeriac, celery, chard, corn, cucumber, eggplant, globe artichoke, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce and salad greens, onions, peas, silver beet, spinach, tomatoes, silver beet, and zucchini.

• Protect from late frosts by draping them with fabric or hose frost off before the sun strikes the plant.
• Provide frames for climbing beans, cucumbers and peas.
• Stake capsicum, chilli, eggplant and tomatoes.
• Protect your seedlings from snails and slugs.

Plant tubers

Potatoes – buy certified tubers from a nursery (plant away from pumpkins as they are bad companions). Jerusalem artichokes.

Written by Robin Gale-Baker.