What to plant in New Zealand — temperate in September

Tomato ( / trays) Start indoors Aug-Nov, transplant after last frost. Crops through to first autumn frost.

Basil (direct sow / trays) Frost-tender - start indoors, transplant after last frost. Pinch flowers to extend harvest.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Spinach (direct sow / trays) Bolts in heat rather than being frost-sensitive. Succession sow for continuous harvest. ~50-70 days to harvest.

What to plant in September

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