Garden Guide

Garden Guide for Bangalore, South India

Bangalore is located in a tropical savanna climate zone (12a) with mild winters and warm summers. The region experiences two monsoon seasons, which can provide ample moisture. The soil is often reddish-loamy and can naturally be low in nutrients, making good soil preparation essential.

In Bangalore, a frost-free region in climate zone 12a, you can garden all year round! For onions, sowing from March to April is ideal, while garlic is best planted from September to November. You'll want to start tomatoes and aubergines indoors from March to May, then transplant them out in May to June.

Zone 12a Frost-free Tropical

There is practically no frost in Bangalore. You can garden year-round, the calendar shows the most reliable growing windows.

Also applies to: Mysore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Coimbatore, Mangalore

Plan your Bangalore garden in the Fryd app

Planting Calendar

When to start indoors, sow outdoors, and harvest in Bangalore. Frost-free climate: the windows are a guide, many crops can be sown beyond them too.

Light Water Nutrients

Start indoors Sowing Harvest

Planting calendar for Bangalore, Zone 12a
Crop	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Tomato (Bush tomato) ●●● ●●○ ●●●
Tomato (Cocktail bush tomato) ●●● ●●○ ●●●
Pepper / Paprika ●●● ●●○ ●●●
Cucumber / Gherkin ●●● ●●○ ●●●
Courgette / Zucchini ●●● ●●● ●●●
Aubergine / Eggplant ●●● ●●● ●●●
Chili ●●● ●●○ ●●●
Basil ●●● ●●○ ●●●
Parsley ●●○ ●●○ ●●○
Chives ●●● ●●● ●●○
Coriander / Cilantro ●●○ ●●○ ●○○
Mint ●●○ ●●○ ●●○
Rosemary ●●● ●○○
Thyme ●●● ●○○
Oregano ●●● ●○○
Garlic ●●● ●●○ ●○○
Onion ●●● ●●○ ●●○
Onion (Spring onion) ●●● ●●○ ●●○
Bean (Dwarf bean) ●●● ●●○ ●○○
Bean (Runner bean) ●●● ●●○ ●○○

Tomato (Bush tomato) ●●● ●●○ ●●●

Tomato (Cocktail bush tomato) ●●● ●●○ ●●●

Pepper / Paprika ●●● ●●○ ●●●

Cucumber / Gherkin ●●● ●●○ ●●●

Courgette / Zucchini ●●● ●●● ●●●

Aubergine / Eggplant ●●● ●●● ●●●

Chili ●●● ●●○ ●●●

Basil ●●● ●●○ ●●●

Parsley ●●○ ●●○ ●●○

Chives ●●● ●●● ●●○

Coriander / Cilantro ●●○ ●●○ ●○○

Mint ●●○ ●●○ ●●○

Rosemary ●●● ●○○

Thyme ●●● ●○○

Oregano ●●● ●○○

Garlic ●●● ●●○ ●○○

Onion ●●● ●●○ ●●○

Onion (Spring onion) ●●● ●●○ ●●○

Bean (Dwarf bean) ●●● ●●○ ●○○

Bean (Runner bean) ●●● ●●○ ●○○

Planting Calendar Bangalore

Tomato (Bush tomato): Start indoors Mar - Apr, Sowing May - Jun, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
Tomato (Cocktail bush tomato): Start indoors Mar - Apr, Sowing May - Jun, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
Pepper / Paprika: Start indoors Feb - Mar, Sowing May - Jun, Harvest Jul - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
Cucumber / Gherkin: Start indoors Apr - May, Sowing May - Jun, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
Courgette / Zucchini: Start indoors Mar - May, Sowing May - Jun, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: high, Nutrients: high)
Aubergine / Eggplant: Start indoors Mar - May, Sowing May - Jun, Harvest Jun - Sep (Light: high, Water: high, Nutrients: high)
Chili: Start indoors Jan - Mar, Sowing May - Jul, Harvest Jul - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
Basil: Start indoors Mar - Jul, Sowing May - Jul, Harvest May - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
Parsley: Start indoors Feb - Jul, Sowing Mar - Aug, Harvest Apr - Dec (Light: medium, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
Chives: Start indoors Mar - May, Sowing Mar - Jun, Harvest Apr - Oct (Light: high, Water: high, Nutrients: medium)
Coriander / Cilantro: Start indoors Mar - May, Sowing May - Jun, Harvest May - Oct (Light: medium, Water: medium, Nutrients: low)
Mint: Start indoors Mar - May, Sowing May - Jun, Harvest May - Oct (Light: medium, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
Rosemary: Start indoors Feb - May, Sowing May - Jun, Harvest Apr - Dec (Light: high, Nutrients: low)
Thyme: Start indoors Feb - Apr, Sowing May - Jun, Harvest Apr - Oct (Light: high, Nutrients: low)
Oregano: Start indoors Mar - May, Sowing May - Jul, Harvest May - Oct (Light: high, Nutrients: low)
Garlic: Sowing Sep - Nov, Harvest Jun - Aug (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: low)
Onion: Start indoors Jan - Feb, Sowing Mar - Apr, Harvest Jul - Sep (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
Onion (Spring onion): Start indoors Jul - Oct, Sowing Sep - Dec (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
Bean (Dwarf bean): Start indoors Apr - May, Sowing May - Jul, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: low)
Bean (Runner bean): Start indoors Apr - May, Sowing May - Jul, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: low)

Based on Fryd planting data for Zone 12a, 2026.

Companion Planting for Bangalore

Plants that thrive together in South India.

Onion + Tomato (Bush tomato)

Onion + Tomato (Cocktail bush tomato)

Garlic + Pepper / Paprika

Cucumber / Gherkin + Pepper / Paprika

Garlic + Cucumber / Gherkin

Plan companions visually

Drag and drop crops in the Fryd bed planner to see companion matches.

Try Fryd →

Growing Tips for Bangalore

Choosing a Spot for Sun Lovers

Many plants like onions, garlic, tomatoes, and aubergines need full sun and warmth to thrive. So, pick a spot that gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.

Soil Improvement is Key

The often loamy or reddish soil in Bangalore greatly benefits from adding compost and humus. This improves drainage, boosts nutrient retention, and encourages healthy root growth.

Regular Watering

Many vegetables like courgettes, aubergines, and cucumbers have a high to very high water requirement. Especially during drier periods, ensure consistent and sufficient watering to prevent stress.

Plant Supports and Trellises

Vigorous growers like pole beans, tomatoes, and cucumbers really benefit from supports or trellises. This not only improves air circulation but also keeps fruits off the ground, protecting them from diseases.

Common Pests & Diseases

•

Aphids

These tiny pests suck sap from young shoots and leaves. Spray affected plants with a soapy solution or introduce ladybirds as natural predators.

•

Spider Mites

Spider mites often appear in dry, warm weather, causing fine webbing on the undersides of leaves. Regularly misting with water increases humidity and can help reduce infestations.

•

Fungal Diseases (e.g., Powdery Mildew)

To prevent fungal infections, ensure good air circulation between plants and avoid overhead watering. Remove affected plant parts immediately to prevent spreading.

•

Slugs

Slugs can severely damage young plants and leaves. Collect them in the evening, set up slug traps, or sprinkle coffee grounds or eggshells as a barrier around vulnerable plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant tomatoes in Bangalore?

You can start tomatoes indoors from March to April, then plant them out in the garden or larger pots from May to June. You'll be harvesting from June to October!

What climate zone is Bangalore, and what does that mean for my garden?

Bangalore is in climate zone 12a, which means a tropical, frost-free climate. This allows you to grow many heat-loving vegetables and herbs all year round.

Which vegetables grow best in Bangalore?

Many heat-loving crops thrive here, including courgettes, aubergines, beans, cucumbers, bell peppers, and chillies. Herbs like basil, mint, and coriander also grow very well.

Is there frost in Bangalore?

Nope, Bangalore is practically frost-free! You don't have to worry about late frosts and can grow frost-sensitive plants all year round.