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Christchurch, New Zealand · vegetable planting calendar

What to plant now in Christchurch

This month's sowing list for Christchurch, what is ready to pick, when to plant the favourites, the planting year at a glance and the local frost dates.

Sow or plant in Christchurch in October

Names with a dashed outline can be started now, but it is not their best time.

Last month to start: tomato.

When to plant the favourites in Christchurch

Tomatoes

Sow in a tray: October.

Plant out: December.

Pick: March.

First pick about 20 weeks after starting.

Choose a quick-maturing (early) variety here.

Potatoes

Plant: October to January.

Best time to start: October to January.

Pick: January to May.

First pick about 13 weeks after starting.

Garlic

Plant: April to June.

Best time to start: April to June.

Pick: December to January.

First pick about 28 weeks after starting.

Lettuce

Sow in the ground: August to March.

Best time to start: September to February.

Pick: November to July.

First pick about 8 weeks after starting.

Carrots

Sow in the ground: August to March.

Best time to start: August to January.

Pick: December to September.

First pick about 11 weeks after starting.

Bush beans

Sow in the ground: December.

Best time to start: December.

Pick: February to March.

First pick about 11 weeks after starting.

Onions

Sow in a tray: June to April.

Plant out: August to June.

Best time to start: August to June.

Pick: December to May.

First pick about 36 weeks after starting.

Strawberries

Plant: March to May and September to November.

Best time to start: March to May and September to November.

Pick: December to July.

First pick about 24 weeks after starting.

Pumpkins

Sow in a tray: November.

Plant out: December.

Best time to start: November.

Pick: March.

First pick about 17 weeks after starting.

Choose a quick-maturing (early) variety here.

Zucchini

Sow in a tray: November to December.

Sow in the ground: December.

Plant out: December to January.

Best time to start: December.

Pick: January to March.

First pick about 10 weeks after starting.

The planting year in Christchurch

• TSow in a tray
• SSow in the ground
• PPlant out
• Pick
• SPaler: possible, but not the best time

The chart starts at October. "First pick" is the usual time from starting to the first harvest.

Choose a quick-maturing (early) variety of: cucumber, pumpkin and tomato.

Christchurch season by season

Any time of year: broad beans, onion and peas.

Frost in Christchurch

Last frost, most years

around 27 October

Safe to plant frost-tender vegetables

from about 21 November

First frost, most years

around 12 April

Frost-free days in a year

about 167

These dates are on the careful side. Many gardeners plant a few weeks earlier and cover young plants on cold nights. A low corner where cold air settles runs later. Tomatoes, capsicum, beans, zucchini, pumpkin and basil are the ones to hold back or cover.

Harder to grow in Christchurch

Needs a greenhouse or a warm, sheltered spot: basil, capsicum and chilli.

Too cold here: eggplant, okra, rockmelon, sweet potato and watermelon.

Questions about planting in Christchurch

Other cities

What to plant now in Auckland · What to plant now in Wellington

These dates are estimates for general guidance, based on the usual weather in Christchurch. Seasons vary from year to year, so check the seed packet and local advice as well.
Temperatures: Source: Meteostat and its data providers (CC BY 4.0). Crop temperature ranges checked against FAO ECOCROP (CC BY 4.0).