When to plant tomato in Canberra
Tomato is frost-tender, so every date keys off Canberra's last spring frost of Oct 20.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Sep 8 – Sep 29
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Oct 27 – Nov 17
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Dec 26 – Jan 20
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 85 d
Canberra's 182-day season leaves this much room.
Tomato on Canberra'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
OCT 20
APR 20
Common questions
When will tomato be ready to harvest in Canberra?
Expect to harvest from around late December (Dec 26–Jan 20) in Canberra, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 74%.
When should I start tomato seeds indoors in Canberra?
Start seeds indoors around early September (Sep 8–Sep 29) in Canberra, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.
When can I transplant tomato outdoors in Canberra?
Transplant outdoors around late October (Oct 27–Nov 17) in Canberra, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
How long is the growing season in Canberra?
Canberra has roughly 182 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 Canberra's frost dates.
Confidence 82/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.