When to plant tomato in Melbourne
Tomato is frost-tender, so every date keys off Melbourne's last spring frost of Aug 28.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Jul 17 – Aug 7
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Sep 4 – Sep 25
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Nov 3 – Nov 28
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 85 d
Melbourne's 270-day season leaves this much room.
Tomato on Melbourne'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 28
MAY 25
Common questions
When will tomato be ready to harvest in Melbourne?
Expect to harvest from around early November (Nov 3–Nov 28) in Melbourne, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 77%.
When should I start tomato seeds indoors in Melbourne?
Start seeds indoors around mid July (Jul 17–Aug 7) in Melbourne, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
When can I transplant tomato outdoors in Melbourne?
Transplant outdoors around early September (Sep 4–Sep 25) in Melbourne, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.
How long is the growing season in Melbourne?
Melbourne has roughly 270 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 Melbourne's frost dates.
Confidence 86/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.