Fruiting crops

Squash

Young fruit to cut often while the skin is tender.

Sowing & planting windows in Australia

Planting timing varies by broad Australian gardening zone. Local weather, unusual seasons and your garden’s microclimate can shift timing.

Sow · Sep–Dec

Core months: September, October, November, December

Possible / shoulder months: January, August

Sow · Jan, Sep–Dec

Core months: January, September, October, November, December

Possible / shoulder months: July, August

Sow · Jan–Feb, Aug–Dec

Core months: January, February, August, September, October, November, December

Sow · Mar–Jul

Core months: March, April, May, June, July

Possible / shoulder months: February, August, September, October, November

Sow · Sep

Core months: September

Possible / shoulder months: January, October, November, December

Start seed in warmth or sow into warm soil after cold risk has passed; harden seedlings before planting out.

Choose full sun, fertile free-draining soil and reliable moisture.

Give vines or bushes room, water at soil level and check flowers and growing tips for pests or poor pollination.

Cut young fruit frequently for best texture.

Check the plant guide: tomatoes colour at ripeness, while zucchini, cucumbers and many eggplants are usually picked immature and tender.

Check variety maturity: the rind should be developed and firm and the stalk beginning to dry.

Check that pollination is the likely issue.

Identify the crop and cultivar: self-fertile, self-incompatible, separate male and female plants, and seedless fruiting types have different needs.

Plant guidance: Desk-reviewed; not field-tested. Planting windows are a guide rather than a rule.