When to plant tomato in Adelaide
Tomato is frost-tender, so every date keys off Adelaide's last spring frost of Aug 15.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Jul 4 – Jul 25
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Aug 22 – Sep 12
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Oct 21 – Nov 15
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 85 d
Adelaide's 304-day season leaves this much room.
Tomato on Adelaide's growing year
Frost-bounded season with crops mapped onto the 12-month axis.
Frost risk Growing Harvest
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
FROST
AUG 15
JUN 15
Common questions
When will tomato be ready to harvest in Adelaide?
Expect to harvest from around late October (Oct 21–Nov 15) in Adelaide, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 72%.
When should I start tomato seeds indoors in Adelaide?
Start seeds indoors around early July (Jul 4–Jul 25) in Adelaide, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.
When can I transplant tomato outdoors in Adelaide?
Transplant outdoors around late August (Aug 22–Sep 12) in Adelaide, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.
How long is the growing season in Adelaide?
Adelaide has roughly 304 frost-free days, which is enough time to grow tomato to maturity outdoors.
The rule of thumb
Sow tomato 6–8 weeks before your last spring frost; plant out 2–3 weeks after it. Every date on this page is derived from that rule and Adelaide's frost dates.
Confidence 80/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.