Growing weeks
All vegetable crops have a certain number of seasonal 'growing weeks' they require (where the air temperature is above 15oC) in order to successfully grow to maturity and ensure a harvest.
The growing weeks can vary for different crops and varieties. For example a large beefsteak tomato like 'Big Beryl' requires 17 growing weeks, whereas a smaller faster-ripening tomato like 'Beams Yellow Pear' only requires 7 growing weeks. Growing weeks are shown on each seed listing on our website, and indicated by the code GW in our magazine.
For all regions (other than cool), you usually have enough growing weeks available for every seed variety to reach maturity and be harvested within the season - so you simply need to ensure that your seeds are sown within the months indicated for each region.
Please note that the growing weeks are calculated as the weeks required between the seed sowing date (if sown direct) or transplant date (for seeds raised in pots or punnets first) to harvest time.
Important - Cool region vegie growers
If you live in the cool region, please take particular note of the growing weeks available to you on this map and select varieties suited to your region.
For example, as the map below indicated in Ballarat there are 17 growing weeks available. This means if you live in Ballarat, you can safely choose any variety requiring 17 weeks or less growing time in order to ensure a harvest. You may be able to grow varieties requiring more than 17 weeks if you have a controlled greenhouse environment to extend your season.
