Sow now
- Tomato ( / trays) Start indoors Aug-Nov, transplant after last frost. Crops through to first autumn frost.
- Beetroot (direct sow) Direct sow, thin to 10cm apart. Frost-tolerant.
- Capsicum ( / trays) Start indoors Aug-Nov (propagator or glasshouse recommended for germination), transplant after last frost. Crops through to first autumn frost.
- Eggplant ( / trays) Start indoors Aug-Nov, transplant after last frost. Needs a longer warm season than Capsicum/Tomato to fruit well. Crops through to first autumn frost.
- Lemon (direct sow) Plant as potted nursery stock, not grown from seed. Late autumn to early spring planting window; avoid midwinter planting in frosty areas. Harvest window reflects the dominant winter-to-spring main crop pattern (Meyer, Yen Ben, Lisbon) - some varieties (e.g. Genoa) crop earlier, see Cultivar notes.
- Silverbeet (direct sow / trays) Hardy leafy green. Pick outer leaves for continuous harvest.
- Mandarin (direct sow) Plant as potted nursery stock, not grown from seed. Same general citrus planting window as Lemon/Orange/Lime. Harvest window reflects early-to-mid-season Satsuma types, NZ's major export mandarin group and among the most cold-hardy common citrus - later cultivars (Encore) extend into autumn, see Cultivar notes.
- Orange (direct sow) Plant as potted nursery stock, not grown from seed. Same general citrus planting window as Lemon/Mandarin/Lime. Harvest window reflects Navel oranges (NZ's major commercial type, mid-July to November) - some strains hang later into summer, see Cultivar notes.
- 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.
- Onion (direct sow) Direct sow. Long-season crop (~160-200 days) - avoid high-nitrogen soil, which delays bulbing. Egmont also lists a second Mar-May sowing not modelled here.
- Radish (direct sow) Direct sow, thin to avoid overcrowding. Very quick-growing - succession sow every 2 weeks.
- Shallot (direct sow) Plant individual bulbs 5cm deep, 15cm apart. Long maturity (~180 days) - similar timing to Garlic.
- 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.
- 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.
Transplant
- Lemon
- Mandarin
- Orange
Harvest
- Jerusalem Artichoke
- Lemon
- Carrot
- Mandarin
- Lime
- Orange