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What Vegetables to Plant When in New Zealand: A Month-by-Month Guide

What Vegetables to Plant When in New Zealand: A Month-by-Month Guide

New Zealand’s unique climate makes growing vegetables both rewarding and surprisingly simple once you know what to plant and when. Whether you’re tending raised beds, pots on the deck, or a full backyard garden, timing is everything. Here’s your month-by-month guide to planting veggies across Aotearoa, so you can keep your garden productive all year round.

🌱 Understanding NZ Growing Zones

New Zealand generally falls into three broad zones:

The table below works for most areas, with minor adjustments (warm zones can start 2–4 weeks earlier; cool zones 2–4 weeks later).

📅 What to Plant Month by Month

January

Perfect for fast growers.
Plant: Beans, beetroot, carrots, spring onions, lettuce, radish, silverbeet, cucumbers, zucchini.
Tips: Keep soil moist—January heat can dry gardens fast.

February

Late-summer still gives you great planting opportunities.
Plant: Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, beetroot, carrots, spinach, kale.
Tips: Start brassicas early to avoid cabbage butterfly attacks later.

March

Prime sowing month for autumn crops.
Plant: Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, silverbeet, beetroot, spinach, spring onions.
Tips: Mulch heavily to hold warmth as nights cool.

April

Cooler weather helps root crops flourish.
Plant: Beetroot, carrots, radish, spinach, peas, lettuce.
Tips: Ideal time to plant garlic in warmer regions.

May

Growth slows but doesn’t stop.
Plant: Broad beans, onions, spinach, garlic (nationwide), lettuce.
Tips: Choose winter-hardy varieties.

June

The heart of winter — keep it simple.
Plant: Broad beans, peas, onions, garlic.
Tips: Protect seedlings from frost using cloches or tunnels.

July

Still cold but a good preparation month.
Plant: Garlic (late), broad beans, peas.
Tips: Start early seeds indoors for a jump on spring.

August

Spring is around the corner—things start moving.
Plant: Potatoes, peas, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, beetroot.
Tips: Prepare beds with compost to fuel spring growth.

September

One of the biggest planting months of the year.
Plant: Tomatoes (in warm areas or in greenhouse), cucumbers, zucchini, beans, corn, pumpkins, capsicum, lettuce, carrots, beetroot.
Tips: Frost-prone areas should wait until late October for tender crops.

October

The classic spring burst.
Plant: Tomatoes, peppers, chillies, pumpkins, courgettes, beans, sweetcorn, potatoes.
Tips: Stake tomatoes early to avoid root disturbance later.

November

Warm soil = fast growth.
Plant: Almost everything: tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, lettuce, basil, beans, corn, carrots, beetroot, pumpkins.
Tips: Keep on top of watering — shallow-rooted crops dry quickly in early summer.

December

Still great planting conditions.
Plant: Beans, cucumbers, zucchini, beetroot, lettuce, spring onions, radish.
Tips: Shade cloth helps protect tender seedlings from harsh sun.

🥕 Quick Seasonal Summary

Spring (Sep–Nov)

Tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, zucchini, capsicum, corn, lettuce, carrots, beetroot, potatoes.

Summer (Dec–Feb)

Fast crops: lettuce, beans, beetroot, carrots, zucchini, cucumbers.

Autumn (Mar–May)

Brassicas, spinach, silverbeet, beetroot, onions, garlic.

Winter (Jun–Aug)

Broad beans, peas, garlic, onions, hardy greens.

🌿 Final Tips for NZ Gardeners