October Gardening Guide: What to Plant and Do Across Australia
By Ewa Bekiesch, DipSustLiv (UTAS)
Holistic Garden Designer | Real Food Advocate
YouTube & Instagram: @EwasVibes — Where every leaf holds a secret, and every root tells a story. Join the conversation!
Seeds, Cuttings & Plants: foodforestseeds.au
Oh, what a glorious time to be in the garden! October truly feels like nature’s grand opening ceremony here in Australia. The days are noticeably longer, the soil has warmed up beautifully, and there’s that magical hum of life everywhere – from buzzing bees to the cheerful songs of birds celebrating the arrival of reliable warmth.
Here on the Fraser Coast, my food forest is absolutely bursting into life. The mango trees are heavy with developing fruit, the first zucchini flowers are opening to the morning sun, and the passionfruit vines are creating a beautiful green curtain of abundance. It’s that perfect moment where all the spring preparation pays off and the summer abundance begins to reveal itself.
I’ve created this October guide to help you make the most of this abundant month, whether you’re gardening in the tropical north, the arid interior, my beloved subtropics, or the temperate south. Let’s dive into what to plant and do in your garden this October!
(The image in this article shows our herb spiral, and I have attached the YouTube video at the end of this article, if you would like to see how we built it.)
Tropical Gardens (Northern QLD, NT, WA)
What’s Happening:
The build-up to the wet season is here, with increasing humidity and the promise of rain. It’s prime planting time before the full wet season arrives.
Key Jobs This Month:
- Plant fast-growing crops to establish before heavy rains
- Build up soil with compost to handle the coming rains
- Check drainage and prepare for potential cyclones
- Mulch heavily to manage both heat and expected rainfall
What to Plant Now:
Vegetables: Amaranth, kang kong, okra, cherry tomatoes, sweet potato
Herbs: Turmeric, galangal, perennial basil, lemongrass
Fruits: Banana pups, pineapple slips, papaya, cassava
Arid & Semi-Arid Gardens (Inland SA, NT, WA, NSW)
What’s Happening:
Temperatures are rising steadily, and water management becomes increasingly crucial. The focus shifts to heat-tolerant and drought-resistant varieties.
Key Jobs This Month:
- Install shade cloth for heat-sensitive plants
- Deep water established trees to prepare for the summer heat
- Harvest and store any remaining winter crops
- Focus on native and well-adapted exotic species
What to Plant Now:
Vegetables: Bush tomatoes, desert lime, Armenian cucumber, pigeon pea
Herbs: Saltbush, native thyme, lemon myrtle, curry plant
Fruits: Jujube, pomegranate, date palm, dragon fruit
Subtropical Gardens (SE QLD, Northern NSW) – My Garden This Month!
What I’m Loving in My Food Forest Right Now:
This month, I’m watching my food forest transform daily! The mango and avocado trees are setting fruit beautifully, the sweet potatoes are spreading as groundcover, and the first corn tassels are appearing. I’m particularly excited about the native bee activity around my flowering basil and rosemary – they’re absolutely thriving!
Key Jobs This Month:
- Plant out all summer crops while the soil is warm but not too hot
- Implement fruit fly protection as fruits begin to develop
- Start successive planting of quick-growing crops like beans
- Ensure consistent watering as temperatures rise
What to Plant Now:
Vegetables: Tomatoes, capsicums, cucumbers, squash, melons, climbing beans, malabar spinach, eggplant
Herbs: Holy basil, Vietnamese mint, ginger, garlic chives
Fruits: Passionfruit, pineapple, guava, starfruit, jaboticaba
Temperate Gardens (Southern NSW, VIC, TAS, SA, WA)
What’s Happening:
The true spring planting window is wide open! Frosts have generally passed, and soils are warm enough for virtually all summer crops.
Key Jobs This Month:
- Plant out all tender summer vegetables
- Install stakes and trellises for climbing plants
- Begin regular feeding program for fruit trees
- Watch for early signs of pests like aphids
What to Plant Now:
Vegetables: Tomatoes, capsicums, cucumbers, squash, melons
Herbs: Basil, dill, coriander, parsley, chives
Flowers: Zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers, salvias
Final Tip for Everyone:
As temperatures rise, focus on building soil health and maintaining consistent moisture. Consider installing drip irrigation or soaker hoses to make watering more efficient and effective.
A Personal Reflection…
October always feels like the garden’s peak performance season. There’s something incredibly satisfying about walking through the food forest and seeing months of planning and care transforming into actual food. Whether you’re harvesting your first tomatoes or watching fruit form on young trees, I hope this month brings you that special joy that only comes from growing your own food.
Join Our Growing Community!
I’d love to see what’s happening in your garden this October! Follow along on my YouTube channel at EwasVibes for regular video updates from my food forest. If you’re looking for quality seeds and plants to get your October garden started, visit my online store at www.foodforestseeds.au for heirloom varieties that thrive in Australian conditions.
What’s the most exciting thing happening in your garden right now? Share your October garden joys in the comments!
Happy gardening, and thank you for supporting my small business 🙂
Ewa Bekiesch
Note: Remember that local conditions can vary significantly. Always observe your own garden’s microclimate and adjust planting times accordingly.
