Sow now
- Yacon (direct sow) Plant tuber/crown divisions ~40cm apart in prepared, compost-enriched soil after the last spring frost. This zone's late, mild first autumn frost means tubers don't need to be rushed out of the ground - Koanga's own guidance is that mild, drier areas can leave them in over winter.
- Jerusalem Artichoke (direct sow) Plant tubers direct into soil once it warms past ~15-16C, after the last spring frost. Dig once frost kills the top growth - can be left in the ground and dug as needed right through winter; cold weather improves tuber colour, so there's no rush to lift them all at once.
- Basil (direct sow / trays) Frost-tender - start indoors, transplant after last frost. Pinch flowers to extend harvest.
- Tamarillo ( / trays) Sow/raise in trays, plant out in spring once frost risk has passed. Takes about 2 years to first fruit; established trees ripen fruit April-November. No genuine outdoor growing window in NZ temperate or cool/mountain - frost damages or kills this crop outside sub-tropical conditions.
- Passionfruit ( / trays) Sow/raise in trays, plant out mid-spring to mid-summer once frost risk has passed - protect young plants from any frost. Established vines ripen fruit mid-summer to autumn. No genuine outdoor growing window in NZ temperate or cool/mountain - only the warmest, most sheltered sites elsewhere in NZ can grow this crop at all.
- Feijoa (direct sow) Plant as potted nursery stock, not grown from seed. Spring planting used here for frost safety in cooler zones - Tui NZ also lists autumn as viable in frost-free areas. Fruit falls naturally when ripe, autumn to early winter.
- Courgette (direct sow / trays) Sow after last frost. Grow at least two plants for better pollination. Space 1m apart.
- Beetroot (direct sow) Direct sow, thin to 10cm apart. Frost-tolerant.
- Carrot (direct sow) Direct sow only - don't transplant. Keep soil moist until germination.
- Silverbeet (direct sow / trays) Hardy leafy green. Pick outer leaves for continuous harvest.
- Peas (direct sow) Direct sow. Fix nitrogen in soil.
- Lime (direct sow) Plant as potted nursery stock, not grown from seed. Yates NZ recommends spring planting once soil has warmed for cold climates (used here) or autumn in warmer areas. Harvest window is for Tahitian/Bearss, the common NZ varieties - Key limes ripen earlier (around April), see Cultivar notes.
- Brussels Sprouts ( / trays) Raise in trays, transplant at 4-6 weeks. Net against white butterfly. Egmont also lists a second Jan-Apr sowing not modelled here.
- Mizuna (direct sow) Direct sow. Quick-growing cut-and-come-again green - succession sow every 2-3 weeks. Egmont also lists a second Feb-Mar sowing not modelled here.
- Radish (direct sow) Direct sow, thin to avoid overcrowding. Very quick-growing - succession sow every 2 weeks.
- Mustard Greens ( / trays) Raise in trays, transplant when 6-8cm high. Koanga also lists a second Jan-Mar (late summer/autumn) sowing not modelled here. Can alternatively be direct sown for a quicker baby-leaf/mesclun harvest.
- Pak Choy (direct sow) Direct sow. Cut-and-come-again Asian green, tolerant of an unusually wide sowing season. Can bolt in extended hot spells - part-shade in summer.
- Turnip (direct sow) Direct sow, thin to 10cm apart. Classic spring crop - dislikes summer heat (bolts/turns woody). Kings Seeds also lists a second Mar-May sowing not modelled here.
- Broccoli ( / trays) Raise in trays, transplant at 4-6 weeks. Net against white butterfly. Egmont also lists a second Feb-May sowing not modelled here.
- Kale (direct sow / trays) Very hardy, improves after frost. Egmont also lists a second Feb-May sowing not modelled here.
- Lettuce (direct sow / trays) Succession sow every 2-3 weeks. Shade cloth in summer to prevent bolting.
- Coriander (direct sow) Sow in cooler months to prevent bolting. Succession sow. Egmont also lists a second Mar-Apr sowing not modelled here.
- Broad Beans (direct sow) Direct sow in autumn. Pinch tops when flowering to deter aphids.
- Beans (Climbing) (direct sow) Direct sow after last frost risk has passed. Needs a support structure. ~90 days to harvest.
- Cucumber ( / trays) Start seeds in trays about a month before last frost. Plant out after last frost risk has passed. ~60-80 days to harvest from transplant.
- Pumpkin (direct sow) Direct sow once soil has warmed and frost risk has passed. Needs plenty of space to sprawl. ~100-160 days to harvest — a long-season crop.
- Spinach (direct sow / trays) Bolts in heat rather than being frost-sensitive. Succession sow for continuous harvest. ~50-70 days to harvest.
Transplant
- Tomato
- Basil
- Capsicum
- Eggplant
- Tamarillo
- Passionfruit
- Feijoa
- Lime
- Brussels Sprouts
- Mustard Greens
- Broccoli
- Kale
- Cucumber
Harvest
- Tomato
- Tamarillo
- Lemon
- Garlic
- Beetroot
- Silverbeet
- Orange
- Mizuna
- Radish
- Pak Choy
- Turnip
- Coriander