GreenlyCanberra: frost dates
Australia
In Canberra the last spring frost usually comes around 18 September and the first autumn frost around 30 May, which leaves about 254 frost-free days (median of 2016–2025). Tomato seedlings can go into open ground around 2 November.
| Last spring frost | around 18 September |
|---|---|
| First autumn frost | around 30 May |
| Frost-free days | 254 days |
Median of 2016–2025 for the 25 km grid cell of the city: the last day at or below 0 °C in spring and the first in autumn (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo). In a cold year a frost can come a week or two later — Greenly warns 48 hours ahead.
When to sow and plant
| Crop | Sow for seedlings | Plant out in a greenhouse | Open ground |
|---|---|---|---|
| Achocha | 26 July | 4 September | 25 September |
| Arugula | — | 7 August | sow 28 August |
| Basil | 28 September | 5 November | 26 November |
| Beet | — | 7 August | sow 28 August |
| Bell Pepper | 23 August | 5 November | 26 November |
| Black-eyed Susan | 25 July | — | 25 September |
| Bok Choy | 31 July | 4 September | 25 September |
| Broad bean | — | 7 August | sow 28 August |
| Broccoli | — | 7 August | sow 28 August |
| Brussels Sprouts | 23 June | 7 August | 28 August |
| Cabbage | — | 7 August | sow 28 August |
| Calendula | — | 7 August | sow 28 August |
| Carrot | — | — | sow 28 August |
| Cauliflower | 26 June | 7 August | 28 August |
| Celeriac | 19 June | 4 September | 25 September |
| Celery | 19 June | 4 September | 25 September |
| Celosia | 7 September | 22 October | 12 November |
| Chamomile | — | 7 August | sow 28 August |
| Chayote | 19 June | 15 September | 6 October |
| Chickpea | — | — | sow 28 August |
| Chili Pepper | 5 September | 18 November | 9 December |
| China aster | 14 September | 5 November | 26 November |
| Chives | — | — | sow 28 August |
| Cilantro | — | 7 August | sow 28 August |
| Corn | — | 15 September | sow 6 October |
| Cosmos | 7 September | 22 October | 12 November |
| Cucumber | 24 September | 5 November | 26 November |
| Daikon | — | 7 August | sow 28 August |
| Delphinium | 30 June | — | 28 August |
| Dill | — | 7 August | sow 28 August |
| Eggplant | 27 August | 5 November | 26 November |
| Florence fennel | 21 July | 4 September | 25 September |
| Garden sorrel | — | 7 August | sow 28 August |
| Green Beans | 9 August | 15 September | 6 October |
| Hyssop | — | — | sow 28 August |
| Kale | — | 7 August | sow 28 August |
| Kiwano | 10 September | 12 October | 2 November |
| Kohlrabi | — | 7 August | sow 28 August |
| Leek | 29 May | 7 August | 28 August |
| Lemon balm | — | 7 August | sow 28 August |
| Lettuce | — | 7 August | sow 28 August |
| Lisianthus | 12 May | 7 August | 28 August |
| Lovage | — | — | sow 28 August |
| Luffa | 24 September | 5 November | 26 November |
| Marigold | 24 July | 4 September | 25 September |
| Melon | 14 September | 5 November | 26 November |
| Microgreens | — | 22 October | sow 12 November |
| Moringa | 24 September | 18 November | 9 December |
| Mustard greens | — | 7 August | sow 28 August |
| Napa cabbage | 2 August | 4 September | 25 September |
| Nasturtium | 28 July | 4 September | 25 September |
| Okra | 24 September | 5 November | 26 November |
| Oregano | 8 June | 7 August | 28 August |
| Pansy | 12 June | 7 August | 28 August |
| Parsley | — | 7 August | sow 28 August |
| Parsnip | — | — | sow 28 August |
| Peanut | 29 September | 5 November | 26 November |
| Peas | — | 7 August | sow 28 August |
| Petunia | 3 September | 5 November | 26 November |
| Physalis | 28 August | 12 October | 2 November |
| Pumpkin | 5 September | 12 October | 2 November |
| Purple coneflower | 27 June | — | 28 August |
| Radish | — | — | sow 28 August |
| Sage | 19 June | 7 August | 28 August |
| Snapdragon | 3 June | 7 August | 28 August |
| Spinach | — | 7 August | sow 28 August |
| Stevia | 24 August | 12 October | 2 November |
| Stock | — | 7 August | sow 28 August |
| Sunflower | — | 22 October | sow 12 November |
| Sweet Corn | — | 15 September | sow 6 October |
| Sweet pea | 26 June | 7 August | 28 August |
| Sweet William | — | — | sow 28 August |
| Swiss Chard | — | 7 August | sow 28 August |
| Thyme | — | 7 August | sow 28 August |
| Tomato | 16 August | 12 October | 2 November |
| Turnip | — | 7 August | sow 28 August |
| Watercress | — | 7 August | sow 28 August |
| Watermelon | 4 October | 5 November | 26 November |
| Zinnia | 14 October | 18 November | 9 December |
| Zucchini | 10 September | 12 October | 2 November |
Planting out: a week after the last frost once the soil is warm enough for the crop; frost-hardy crops three weeks before it; an unheated greenhouse three weeks earlier. Seedlings are sown so they are ready on that day.
Canberra: weather for the next 7 days
Forecast by Open-Meteo. Nights at or below 0 °C are marked as frost.
Planted in autumn
| Crop | Plant around |
|---|---|
| Bearded Iris | 30 April |
| Crocus | 30 April |
| Daffodil | 30 April |
| Garlic | 30 April |
| Hyacinth | 30 April |
| Lily | 30 April |
| Peony | 30 April |
| Saffron | 30 April |
| Tulip | 30 April |
| Wild garlic | 30 April |
A month before the first autumn frost, so the roots grow before winter.