Auckland, New Zealand
Planting calendar for Otahuhu
Frost is rare here, so sowing goes by warmth: tender crops like tomatoes go outdoors 8 Nov to 16 Dec, and 9 Feb to 12 Mar.
- Frost
- Frost is rare here
Frost comes in fewer than half of years, so there’s no last or first frost date to work from. Dates below go by how warm it is instead. On a clear, still winter night a light frost can still happen, so cover tender plants then.
Southern hemisphere: spring sowing is September to November, and the main harvest runs December to April.
Sow now: November
See the whole yearThe year at a glance
When each crop can be sown in Otahuhu. Tap a crop for exact dates and when it’s ready to harvest.
Sow outdoorsSow under cover (a greenhouse or polytunnel)Months run July to June, so summer reads in one piece.
| Crop | JJul | AAug | SSep | OOct | NNov | DDec | JJan | FFeb | MMar | AApr | MMay | JJun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fruiting | ||||||||||||
 Tomato | July: Not this month | August: Not this month | September: Not this month | October: Sow under cover | November: Sow outdoors and under cover | December: Sow outdoors and under cover | January: Sow under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow under cover | May: Not this month | June: Not this month |
 Chilli | July: Not this month | August: Not this month | September: Not this month | October: Sow under cover | November: Sow outdoors and under cover | December: Sow outdoors and under cover | January: Sow under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow under cover | May: Not this month | June: Not this month |
 Sweet pepper | July: Not this month | August: Not this month | September: Not this month | October: Sow under cover | November: Sow outdoors and under cover | December: Sow outdoors and under cover | January: Sow under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow under cover | May: Not this month | June: Not this month |
 Aubergine | July: Not this month | August: Not this month | September: Not this month | October: Sow under cover | November: Sow outdoors and under cover | December: Sow outdoors and under cover | January: Sow under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow under cover | June: Not this month |
 Courgette | July: Not this month | August: Not this month | September: Not this month | October: Sow under cover | November: Sow outdoors and under cover | December: Sow outdoors and under cover | January: Sow outdoors and under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow under cover | May: Not this month | June: Not this month |
 Cucumber | July: Not this month | August: Not this month | September: Not this month | October: Sow under cover | November: Sow outdoors and under cover | December: Sow outdoors and under cover | January: Sow outdoors and under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow under cover | May: Not this month | June: Not this month |
 Squash | July: Not this month | August: Not this month | September: Not this month | October: Sow under cover | November: Sow outdoors and under cover | December: Sow outdoors and under cover | January: Sow under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow under cover | May: Not this month | June: Not this month |
 Sweetcorn | July: Not this month | August: Not this month | September: Not this month | October: Sow under cover | November: Sow outdoors and under cover | December: Sow outdoors and under cover | January: Sow under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow under cover | May: Not this month | June: Not this month |
| Roots | ||||||||||||
 Carrot | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow outdoors and under cover | September: Sow outdoors and under cover | October: Sow outdoors and under cover | November: Sow outdoors and under cover | December: Sow outdoors and under cover | January: Sow outdoors and under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover |
 Beetroot | July: Sow under cover | August: Sow outdoors and under cover | September: Sow outdoors and under cover | October: Sow outdoors and under cover | November: Sow outdoors and under cover | December: Sow outdoors and under cover | January: Sow outdoors and under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow under cover | June: Not this month |
 Parsnip | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow outdoors and under cover | September: Sow outdoors and under cover | October: Sow outdoors and under cover | November: Sow outdoors and under cover | December: Sow under cover | January: Sow under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover |
 Radish | July: Sow under cover | August: Sow outdoors and under cover | September: Sow outdoors and under cover | October: Sow outdoors and under cover | November: Sow outdoors and under cover | December: Sow outdoors and under cover | January: Sow outdoors and under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover |
 Potato | July: Plant outdoors and under cover | August: Plant outdoors and under cover | September: Plant outdoors and under cover | October: Plant outdoors and under cover | November: Plant under cover | December: Not this month | January: Plant under cover | February: Plant outdoors and under cover | March: Plant outdoors and under cover | April: Plant outdoors and under cover | May: Plant outdoors and under cover | June: Plant outdoors and under cover |
 Turnip | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow outdoors and under cover | September: Sow outdoors and under cover | October: Sow outdoors and under cover | November: Sow outdoors and under cover | December: Sow outdoors and under cover | January: Sow outdoors and under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow under cover |
| Leaves | ||||||||||||
 Lettuce | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow outdoors and under cover | September: Sow outdoors and under cover | October: Sow outdoors and under cover | November: Sow outdoors and under cover | December: Sow outdoors and under cover | January: Sow outdoors and under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover |
 Spinach | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow outdoors and under cover | September: Sow outdoors and under cover | October: Sow outdoors and under cover | November: Sow outdoors and under cover | December: Sow outdoors and under cover | January: Sow outdoors and under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover |
 Swiss chard | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow outdoors and under cover | September: Sow outdoors and under cover | October: Sow outdoors and under cover | November: Sow outdoors and under cover | December: Sow outdoors and under cover | January: Sow outdoors and under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow under cover |
 Rocket | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow outdoors and under cover | September: Sow outdoors and under cover | October: Sow outdoors and under cover | November: Sow outdoors and under cover | December: Sow outdoors and under cover | January: Sow outdoors and under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover |
 Celery | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow outdoors and under cover | September: Sow outdoors and under cover | October: Sow under cover | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | January: Sow under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover |
| Beans and peas | ||||||||||||
 Runner bean | July: Not this month | August: Not this month | September: Not this month | October: Sow under cover | November: Sow outdoors and under cover | December: Sow outdoors and under cover | January: Sow outdoors and under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow under cover | May: Not this month | June: Not this month |
 French bean | July: Not this month | August: Not this month | September: Not this month | October: Sow under cover | November: Sow outdoors and under cover | December: Sow outdoors and under cover | January: Sow outdoors and under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow under cover | May: Not this month | June: Not this month |
 Broad bean | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow under cover | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | January: Not this month | February: Not this month | March: Not this month | April: Sow under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover |
 Pea | July: Sow under cover | August: Sow outdoors and under cover | September: Sow outdoors and under cover | October: Sow outdoors and under cover | November: Sow outdoors and under cover | December: Sow outdoors and under cover | January: Sow under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow under cover | June: Not this month |
| Onion family | ||||||||||||
 Onion | July: Plant outdoors and under cover | August: Plant outdoors and under cover | September: Plant outdoors and under cover | October: Plant under cover | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | January: Plant under cover | February: Plant outdoors and under cover | March: Plant outdoors and under cover | April: Plant outdoors and under cover | May: Plant outdoors and under cover | June: Plant outdoors and under cover |
 Garlic | July: Plant outdoors and under cover | August: Plant under cover | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | January: Not this month | February: Not this month | March: Not this month | April: Plant under cover | May: Plant outdoors and under cover | June: Plant outdoors and under cover |
 Leek | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow outdoors and under cover | September: Sow outdoors and under cover | October: Sow outdoors and under cover | November: Sow outdoors and under cover | December: Sow outdoors and under cover | January: Sow outdoors and under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover |
 Spring onion | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow outdoors and under cover | September: Sow outdoors and under cover | October: Sow outdoors and under cover | November: Sow outdoors and under cover | December: Sow outdoors and under cover | January: Sow outdoors and under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover |
 Shallot | July: Plant outdoors and under cover | August: Plant outdoors and under cover | September: Plant outdoors and under cover | October: Plant outdoors and under cover | November: Plant under cover | December: Not this month | January: Plant under cover | February: Plant outdoors and under cover | March: Plant outdoors and under cover | April: Plant outdoors and under cover | May: Plant outdoors and under cover | June: Plant outdoors and under cover |
| Brassicas | ||||||||||||
 Cabbage | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow outdoors and under cover | September: Sow outdoors and under cover | October: Sow outdoors and under cover | November: Sow outdoors and under cover | December: Sow outdoors and under cover | January: Sow outdoors and under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover |
 Broccoli | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow outdoors and under cover | September: Sow outdoors and under cover | October: Sow outdoors and under cover | November: Sow outdoors and under cover | December: Sow outdoors and under cover | January: Sow outdoors and under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow under cover | June: Sow under cover |
 Cauliflower | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow outdoors and under cover | September: Sow outdoors and under cover | October: Sow outdoors and under cover | November: Sow outdoors and under cover | December: Sow outdoors and under cover | January: Sow under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover |
 Brussels sprout | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow outdoors and under cover | September: Sow outdoors and under cover | October: Sow outdoors and under cover | November: Sow under cover | December: Not this month | January: Sow under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover |
 Kale | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow outdoors and under cover | September: Sow outdoors and under cover | October: Sow outdoors and under cover | November: Sow outdoors and under cover | December: Sow outdoors and under cover | January: Sow outdoors and under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow under cover | June: Sow under cover |
 Pak choi | July: Sow under cover | August: Sow outdoors and under cover | September: Sow outdoors and under cover | October: Sow outdoors and under cover | November: Sow outdoors and under cover | December: Sow outdoors and under cover | January: Sow outdoors and under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow under cover |
| Herbs | ||||||||||||
 Basil | July: Not this month | August: Sow outdoors and under cover | September: Sow outdoors and under cover | October: Sow outdoors and under cover | November: Sow outdoors and under cover | December: Sow outdoors and under cover | January: Sow outdoors and under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow under cover | May: Not this month | June: Not this month |
 Parsley | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow outdoors and under cover | September: Sow outdoors and under cover | October: Sow outdoors and under cover | November: Sow outdoors and under cover | December: Sow outdoors and under cover | January: Sow outdoors and under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover |
 Coriander | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow outdoors and under cover | September: Sow outdoors and under cover | October: Sow outdoors and under cover | November: Sow outdoors and under cover | December: Sow outdoors and under cover | January: Sow outdoors and under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover |
 Chives | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow outdoors and under cover | September: Sow outdoors and under cover | October: Sow outdoors and under cover | November: Sow outdoors and under cover | December: Sow under cover | January: Sow under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow under cover | June: Sow under cover |
 Mint | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow outdoors and under cover | September: Sow outdoors and under cover | October: Sow outdoors and under cover | November: Sow outdoors and under cover | December: Sow outdoors and under cover | January: Sow outdoors and under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover |
| Fruit | ||||||||||||
 Strawberry | July: Plant outdoors and under cover | August: Plant outdoors and under cover | September: Plant outdoors and under cover | October: Plant outdoors and under cover | November: Plant under cover | December: Not this month | January: Plant under cover | February: Plant outdoors and under cover | March: Plant outdoors and under cover | April: Plant outdoors and under cover | May: Plant under cover | June: Plant outdoors and under cover |
 RaspberryWinters too mild here | July: Not this month | August: Not this month | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | January: Not this month | February: Not this month | March: Not this month | April: Not this month | May: Not this month | June: Not this month |
 RhubarbWinters too mild here | July: Not this month | August: Not this month | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | January: Not this month | February: Not this month | March: Not this month | April: Not this month | May: Not this month | June: Not this month |
Fruit rows show when to plant, not sow.
Crop by crop
Fruiting
TomatoOutdoors 8 Nov to 16 Dec, and 9 Feb to 12 Mar; Under cover 11 Oct to 9 Apr
- Sow outdoors
- 8 Nov to 16 Dec, and 9 Feb to 12 Mar
- Under cover
- 11 Oct to 9 Apr
- First harvest
- About 66 days after sowing. Sown on 8 November, ready around 13 January.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
ChilliOutdoors 6 Nov to 16 Dec, and 9 Feb to 5 Apr; Under cover 9 Oct to 3 May
- Sow outdoors
- 6 Nov to 16 Dec, and 9 Feb to 5 Apr
- Under cover
- 9 Oct to 3 May
- First harvest
- About 84 days after sowing. Sown on 6 November, ready around 29 January.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Sweet pepperOutdoors 14 Nov to 24 Dec, and 9 Feb to 25 Mar; Under cover 17 Oct to 22 Apr
- Sow outdoors
- 14 Nov to 24 Dec, and 9 Feb to 25 Mar
- Under cover
- 17 Oct to 22 Apr
- First harvest
- About 78 days after sowing. Sown on 14 November, ready around 31 January.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
AubergineOutdoors 14 Nov to 16 Dec, and 9 Feb to 27 Apr; Under cover 17 Oct to 25 May
- Sow outdoors
- 14 Nov to 16 Dec, and 9 Feb to 27 Apr
- Under cover
- 17 Oct to 25 May
- First harvest
- About 90 days after sowing. Sown on 14 November, ready around 12 February.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
CourgetteOutdoors 6 Nov to 9 Jan, and 9 Feb to 30 Mar; Under cover 9 Oct to 27 Apr
- Sow outdoors
- 6 Nov to 9 Jan, and 9 Feb to 30 Mar
- Under cover
- 9 Oct to 27 Apr
- First harvest
- About 36 days after sowing. Sown on 6 November, ready around 12 December.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
CucumberOutdoors 6 Nov to 9 Jan, and 9 Feb to 25 Mar; Under cover 9 Oct to 22 Apr
- Sow outdoors
- 6 Nov to 9 Jan, and 9 Feb to 25 Mar
- Under cover
- 9 Oct to 22 Apr
- First harvest
- About 42 days after sowing. Sown on 6 November, ready around 18 December.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
SquashOutdoors 6 Nov to 24 Dec, and 9 Feb to 14 Mar; Under cover 9 Oct to 11 Apr
- Sow outdoors
- 6 Nov to 24 Dec, and 9 Feb to 14 Mar
- Under cover
- 9 Oct to 11 Apr
- First harvest
- About 66 days after sowing. Sown on 6 November, ready around 11 January.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
SweetcornOutdoors 29 Oct to 24 Dec, and 9 Feb to 14 Mar; Under cover 1 Oct to 11 Apr
- Sow outdoors
- 29 Oct to 24 Dec, and 9 Feb to 14 Mar
- Under cover
- 1 Oct to 11 Apr
- First harvest
- About 60 days after sowing. Sown on 29 October, ready around 28 December.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.
Roots
CarrotOutdoors 2 Jun to 8 May; Under cover all year
- Sow outdoors
- 2 Jun to 8 May
- Under cover
- all year
- First harvest
- About 60 days after sowing. Sown on 2 June, ready around 1 August.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
BeetrootOutdoors 29 Jul to 19 Apr; Under cover 1 Jul to 17 May
- Sow outdoors
- 29 Jul to 19 Apr
- Under cover
- 1 Jul to 17 May
- First harvest
- About 89 days after sowing. Sown on 29 July, ready around 26 October.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
ParsnipOutdoors 9 Feb to 24 Nov; Under cover 12 Jan to 22 Dec
- Sow outdoors
- 9 Feb to 24 Nov
- Under cover
- 12 Jan to 22 Dec
- First harvest
- About 78 days after sowing. Sown on 9 February, ready around 28 April.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
RadishOutdoors 28 Jul to 20 Jun; Under cover all year
- Sow outdoors
- 28 Jul to 20 Jun
- Under cover
- all year
- First harvest
- About 21 days after sowing. Sown on 28 July, ready around 18 August.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
PotatoOutdoors 9 Feb to 21 Oct; Under cover 12 Jan to 18 Nov
- Plant outdoors
- 9 Feb to 21 Oct
- Under cover
- 12 Jan to 18 Nov
- First harvest
- About 60 days after planting. Planted on 9 February, ready around 10 April.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
TurnipOutdoors 21 Jul to 15 May; Under cover 23 Jun to 12 Jun
- Sow outdoors
- 21 Jul to 15 May
- Under cover
- 23 Jun to 12 Jun
- First harvest
- About 36 days after sowing. Sown on 21 July, ready around 26 August.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Leaves
LettuceOutdoors 22 Jun to 28 May; Under cover all year
- Sow outdoors
- 22 Jun to 28 May
- Under cover
- all year
- First harvest
- About 42 days after sowing. Sown on 22 June, ready around 3 August.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
SpinachOutdoors all year
- Sow outdoors
- all year
- Under cover
- all year
- First harvest
- About 34 days after sowing. Sown on 1 January, ready around 4 February.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Swiss chardOutdoors 21 Jul to 15 May; Under cover 23 Jun to 12 Jun
- Sow outdoors
- 21 Jul to 15 May
- Under cover
- 23 Jun to 12 Jun
- First harvest
- About 36 days after sowing. Sown on 21 July, ready around 26 August.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
RocketOutdoors all year
- Sow outdoors
- all year
- Under cover
- all year
- First harvest
- About 31 days after sowing. Sown on 1 January, ready around 1 February.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
CeleryOutdoors 9 Feb to 2 Oct; Under cover 12 Jan to 30 Oct
- Sow outdoors
- 9 Feb to 2 Oct
- Under cover
- 12 Jan to 30 Oct
- First harvest
- About 78 days after sowing. Sown on 9 February, ready around 28 April.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.
Beans and peas
Runner beanOutdoors 29 Oct to 9 Jan, and 9 Feb to 19 Mar; Under cover 1 Oct to 16 Apr
- Sow outdoors
- 29 Oct to 9 Jan, and 9 Feb to 19 Mar
- Under cover
- 1 Oct to 16 Apr
- First harvest
- About 54 days after sowing. Sown on 29 October, ready around 22 December.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.
French beanOutdoors 29 Oct to 29 Mar; Under cover 1 Oct to 26 Apr
- Sow outdoors
- 29 Oct to 29 Mar
- Under cover
- 1 Oct to 26 Apr
- First harvest
- About 63 days after sowing. Sown on 29 October, ready around 31 December.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.
Broad beanOutdoors 25 Apr to 28 Jul; Under cover 28 Mar to 25 Aug
- Sow outdoors
- 25 Apr to 28 Jul
- Under cover
- 28 Mar to 25 Aug
- First harvest
- About 220 days after sowing. Sown on 25 April, ready around 1 December.
- Warmth
- Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.
PeaOutdoors 29 Jul to 16 Dec, and 9 Feb to 11 Apr; Under cover 1 Jul to 9 May
- Sow outdoors
- 29 Jul to 16 Dec, and 9 Feb to 11 Apr
- Under cover
- 1 Jul to 9 May
- First harvest
- About 53 days after sowing. Sown on 29 July, ready around 20 September.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Onion family
OnionOutdoors 9 Feb to 2 Oct; Under cover 12 Jan to 30 Oct
- Plant outdoors
- 9 Feb to 2 Oct
- Under cover
- 12 Jan to 30 Oct
- First harvest
- About 84 days after planting. Planted on 9 February, ready around 4 May.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
GarlicOutdoors 25 Apr to 28 Jul; Under cover 28 Mar to 25 Aug
- Plant outdoors
- 25 Apr to 28 Jul
- Under cover
- 28 Mar to 25 Aug
- First harvest
- About 250 days after planting. Planted on 25 April, ready around 31 December.
- Warmth
- Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.
LeekOutdoors 9 Feb to 9 Jan; Under cover all year
- Sow outdoors
- 9 Feb to 9 Jan
- Under cover
- all year
- First harvest
- About 90 days after sowing. Sown on 9 February, ready around 10 May.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Spring onionOutdoors all year
- Sow outdoors
- all year
- Under cover
- all year
- First harvest
- About 47 days after sowing. Sown on 1 January, ready around 17 February.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.
ShallotOutdoors 9 Feb to 11 Oct; Under cover 12 Jan to 8 Nov
- Plant outdoors
- 9 Feb to 11 Oct
- Under cover
- 12 Jan to 8 Nov
- First harvest
- About 78 days after planting. Planted on 9 February, ready around 28 April.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.
Brassicas
CabbageOutdoors all year
- Sow outdoors
- all year
- Under cover
- all year
- First harvest
- About 66 days after sowing. Sown on 1 January, ready around 8 March.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
BroccoliOutdoors 12 Jul to 9 Jan, and 9 Feb to 13 Apr; Under cover 14 Jun to 11 May
- Sow outdoors
- 12 Jul to 9 Jan, and 9 Feb to 13 Apr
- Under cover
- 14 Jun to 11 May
- First harvest
- About 56 days after sowing. Sown on 12 July, ready around 6 September.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
CauliflowerOutdoors 9 Feb to 16 Dec; Under cover all year
- Sow outdoors
- 9 Feb to 16 Dec
- Under cover
- all year
- First harvest
- About 72 days after sowing. Sown on 9 February, ready around 22 April.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Brussels sproutOutdoors 9 Feb to 29 Oct; Under cover 12 Jan to 26 Nov
- Sow outdoors
- 9 Feb to 29 Oct
- Under cover
- 12 Jan to 26 Nov
- First harvest
- About 108 days after sowing. Sown on 9 February, ready around 28 May.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
KaleOutdoors 17 Jul to 22 Apr; Under cover 19 Jun to 20 May
- Sow outdoors
- 17 Jul to 22 Apr
- Under cover
- 19 Jun to 20 May
- First harvest
- About 48 days after sowing. Sown on 17 July, ready around 3 September.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Pak choiOutdoors 25 Aug to 5 Jun; Under cover 28 Jul to 3 Jul
- Sow outdoors
- 25 Aug to 5 Jun
- Under cover
- 28 Jul to 3 Jul
- First harvest
- About 53 days after sowing. Sown on 25 August, ready around 17 October.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 8°C; bolts in hot weather.
Herbs
BasilOutdoors 25 Aug to 1 Apr; Under cover 28 Jul to 29 Apr
- Sow outdoors
- 25 Aug to 1 Apr
- Under cover
- 28 Jul to 29 Apr
- First harvest
- About 79 days after sowing. Sown on 25 August, ready around 12 November.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 8°C or more, and no frost.
ParsleyOutdoors all year
- Sow outdoors
- all year
- Under cover
- all year
- First harvest
- About 49 days after sowing. Sown on 1 January, ready around 19 February.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
CorianderOutdoors all year
- Sow outdoors
- all year
- Under cover
- all year
- First harvest
- About 37 days after sowing. Sown on 1 January, ready around 7 February.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 7°C; bolts in hot weather.
ChivesOutdoors 21 Jul to 24 Nov, and 9 Feb to 19 Apr; Under cover 12 Jan to 17 May, and 23 Jun to 22 Dec
- Sow outdoors
- 21 Jul to 24 Nov, and 9 Feb to 19 Apr
- Under cover
- 12 Jan to 17 May, and 23 Jun to 22 Dec
- First harvest
- Crops every year once it’s established.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
MintOutdoors all year
- Sow outdoors
- all year
- Under cover
- all year
- First harvest
- Crops every year once it’s established.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Fruit
StrawberryOutdoors 9 Feb to 3 May, and 21 Jun to 29 Oct; Under cover 12 Jan to 26 Nov
- Plant outdoors
- 9 Feb to 3 May, and 21 Jun to 29 Oct
- Under cover
- 12 Jan to 26 Nov
- First harvest
- Crops every year once it’s established.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
RaspberryNot here: winters too mild here
- Plant outdoors
- Not here: winters too mild here
- Under cover
- No
- First harvest
- Crops every year once it’s established.
- Warmth
- Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.
RhubarbNot here: winters too mild here
- Plant outdoors
- Not here: winters too mild here
- Under cover
- No
- First harvest
- Crops every year once it’s established.
- Warmth
- Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.
Questions about growing in Otahuhu
Does it frost in Otahuhu?
Not often: frost comes in fewer than half of years, so sowing here goes by warmth rather than frost dates. A light frost can still happen on a clear, still winter night.
Can I grow tomatoes outdoors in Otahuhu?
Yes. Plant them outdoors 8 Nov to 16 Dec, and 9 Feb to 12 Mar, or under cover 11 Oct to 9 Apr.
What can I sow in Otahuhu in November?
Outdoors: tomato, chilli, sweet pepper, aubergine, courgette, cucumber, squash, sweetcorn, carrot, beetroot, parsnip, radish, turnip, lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, rocket, runner bean, French bean, pea, leek, spring onion, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, pak choi, basil, parsley, coriander, chives, mint. Under cover: potato, shallot, Brussels sprout, strawberry.
How accurate are these dates?
They’re worked out from 30 years of climate data for this spot, adjusted for its height, so they’re a good guide for a typical year. Check the forecast before planting out anything tender.
Get these dates as reminders
Bia turns this calendar into a nudge when it’s time to sow, plant out and harvest, for your plot in Otahuhu. Free for 2 months.
App StoreComing soonHow these dates are worked out: climate records for this spot (ERA5-Land, 1995 to 2024), the local frost dates and the height above sea level turn a seed-packet date into a local one. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information; towns from GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). How sowing dates work