When to plant tomato in Canberra
Tomato is frost-tender, so every date keys off Canberra's last spring frost of Oct 10.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Sep 29 – Oct 20
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Nov 23 – Dec 14
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jan 22 – Feb 16
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 85 d
Canberra's 204-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 10
APR 28
Common questions
When will tomato be ready to harvest in Canberra?
Expect to harvest from around late January (Jan 22–Feb 16) in Canberra, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 75%.
When should I start tomato seeds indoors in Canberra?
Start seeds indoors around late September (Sep 29–Oct 20) in Canberra, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When can I transplant tomato outdoors in Canberra?
Transplant outdoors around late November (Nov 23–Dec 14) in Canberra, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.
How long is the growing season in Canberra?
Canberra has roughly 204 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 83/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.