What to plant in October in South Africa
15 vegetables, fruits and herbs to sow or plant in October in South Africa, for the climate around Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.
Climate: A Southern Hemisphere highveld climate with hot, wet summers from November to March, a dry winter, and frosts from May to August with the coldest nights near 0 °C.
Vegetables
Tomato Solanum lycopersicum
Warm, sunny summers give fruit a long season once transplanted after the last frost in September.
Harvest: 70–90 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Lettuce Lactuca sativa
Quick and tolerant of light frost, it can be sown in almost every mild month of the year.
Harvest: 45–60 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Swiss chard Beta vulgaris
It tolerates frost and heat alike and keeps producing leaves through the cold and the summer rains.
Harvest: 50–60 daysEasyIn pots
Green bean Phaseolus vulgaris
It is sown once frosts end and thrives in the warm, rainy summer soil.
Harvest: 55–65 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Zucchini Cucurbita pepo
Its fast growth in warm, humid summers gives heavy yields from a small bed.
Harvest: 45–55 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Potato Solanum tuberosum
Planted after the winter frosts, it grows well in the cool spring and then matures before the hottest weather.
Harvest: 90–120 daysModerate
Sweet pepper Capsicum annuum
Highveld summer heat and sun ripen its fruit well once it is transplanted after frosts.
Harvest: 70–100 daysModerateIn potsCare guide →
Cucumber Cucumis sativus
Warm, humid summers suit it, and it climbs well on a trellis in a small space.
Harvest: 50–65 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Radish Raphanus sativus
It is the fastest crop to harvest and grows well in the mild shoulder seasons between frosts.
Harvest: 25–35 daysEasyIn pots
Fruits
Orange Citrus sinensis
Mild highveld winters and hot summers suit it, though young trees need frost protection in June and July.
Harvest: 3–4 yearsModerate
Avocado Persea americana
Its frost tolerance is limited, but the warm, rainy summers and sheltered sites suit it well.
Harvest: 3–5 yearsModerateCare guide →
Lemon Citrus limon
A frost-protected, sunny spot in a pot or sheltered bed gives fruit through the warm rainy season.
Harvest: 3–4 yearsModerateIn potsCare guide →
Herbs
Basil Ocimum basilicum
It loves the hot, humid summers and grows lush once the frosts are over.
Harvest: 30–40 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis
Its drought tolerance and sunny, well-drained conditions suit the dry winters and hot summers.
Harvest: 70–90 daysEasyIn pots
Parsley Petroselinum crispum
It tolerates light frost and keeps producing leaves through the cool and mild seasons.
Harvest: 70–90 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →