Hello Spring, we are ready for you - please don't bring the usual Wellington wind, rain & full-blown storms, they are most unwelcome...
Let's take a minute to appreciate this has to be one of the biggest planting months of the year, which means I have split up vegetables & flowers into two different posts. This way if you are only interested in what I'll be planting in my flower bed this year, you can head straight over here.
For vegetable gardening in NZ, look no further:
Plant | Sow | Begin Harvesting (approx) |
Basil | Direct & in pots | October |
Beans | Direct & trays | December - January |
Purple sprouting broccoli | Trays | January - February |
Capsicum - if round 1 didn't work | Trays | December - January |
Carrot | Direct | November |
Celery | Trays | January - February |
Chicory | Trays | November |
Sorrel | Trays | January |
Cucumber | Trays | January |
Daikon Radish | Trays | October - November |
Eggplant | Trays | December - January |
Lettuce - round 2 | Trays | October - November |
Strawberry Spinach | Trays | November |
Onion | Trays | December |
Parsley | Direct & trays | November |
Potatoes | Direct in pots | December |
Pumpkin | Trays | January |
Squash | Trays | January |
Corn | Trays | January |
Zucchini | Trays | November |
Chamomile | Trays | December |
Pepino | Trays | March |
All of the plants listed above, I will be sowing from seed. Most if not all will be done in seed trays on my covered/protected patio before hardening off fully outside.
As usual, what I will be keeping an eye on,
Lack-luster growth - seeds that are not germinating outside in my covered area I will move indoors.
Leggy growth - seedlings that grow tall but are not very strong - this means they need more light.
True leaves - the second set of leaves that appear are the plants 'true leaves'. It usually takes around 1-3 weeks for these to appear. Usually at this stage I start to harden them off, by leaving them outside on nice days and lightly bushing their leaves to promote strong growth.
Additionally, with the weather warming up into Spring-Summer I will be keeping an eye on,
Aphids - they had a go at my chamomile, mint & raspberry bushes last year. I use organic methods where possible, neem oil or liquid soap mixed with water and peppermint oil and just spray away!
If you think I have missed any plants off my list or have any tips/recommendations for this upcoming season, get in touch. Let's grow this September vegetable planting guide together.
Potatoes I harvested in July, purple cauliflower bolting, and some goodies from last year | July - August 2023