Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand

Planting calendar for Palmerston North

Last frost around 10 August, first frost around 9 July: about 333 frost-free days.

Last frost: 10 August
First frost: 9 July
Frost-free days: 333

Southern hemisphere: spring sowing is September to November, and the main harvest runs December to April.

Sow now: November

See the whole year

Under cover

Potato
Celery
Onion
Shallot

The year at a glance

When each crop can be sown in Palmerston North. 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.

When to sow each crop in Palmerston North, month by month. Each month says whether you can sow outdoors, under cover, or both.
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: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	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: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	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: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	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: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	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 under cover	April: Not this month	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 under cover	April: Not this month	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: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	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: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	June: Not this month
Roots
Carrot	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 under cover	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	June: Not this month
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 under cover	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	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: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	June: Sow under cover
Radish	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
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 under cover	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	June: Plant 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 under cover	May: Not this month	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 under cover	May: Not this month	June: Sow 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 under cover	June: Sow under cover
Swiss chard	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 under cover	May: Not this month	June: Not this month
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 under cover	June: Sow under cover
Celery	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 under cover	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	June: Sow 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 under cover	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	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 under cover	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	June: Not this month
Broad bean	July: Sow under cover	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: Sow under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover
Pea	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 under cover	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	June: Sow under cover
Onion family
Onion	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: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	June: Plant 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: Plant under cover	April: Plant outdoors and 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 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 under cover	June: Sow 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 under cover	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	June: Plant 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 under cover	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	June: Sow under cover
Broccoli	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 under cover	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	June: Not this month
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: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	June: Sow 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 outdoors and 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 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 under cover	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	June: Not this month
Pak choi	July: Not this month	August: Sow 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: Not this month	June: Not this month
Herbs
Basil	July: Not this month	August: Sow 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 under cover	April: Not this month	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 under cover	May: Not this month	June: Sow under cover
Coriander	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
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 under cover	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	June: Sow under cover
Mint	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
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 outdoors and under cover	December: Not this month	January: Plant under cover	February: Plant outdoors and under cover	March: Plant under cover	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	June: Plant under cover
Raspberry	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
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 16 Nov to 26 Dec; Under cover 19 Oct to 23 Jan

Sow outdoors: 16 Nov to 26 Dec
Under cover: 19 Oct to 23 Jan
First harvest: About 91 days after sowing. Sown on 16 November, ready around 15 February.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Tomato across New Zealand, town by town

ChilliOutdoors 15 Nov to 26 Dec; Under cover 18 Oct to 23 Jan

Sow outdoors: 15 Nov to 26 Dec
Under cover: 18 Oct to 23 Jan
First harvest: About 95 days after sowing. Sown on 15 November, ready around 18 February.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Chilli across New Zealand, town by town

Sweet pepperOutdoors 22 Nov to 5 Jan; Under cover 25 Oct to 2 Feb

Sow outdoors: 22 Nov to 5 Jan
Under cover: 25 Oct to 2 Feb
First harvest: About 88 days after sowing. Sown on 22 November, ready around 18 February.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Sweet pepper across New Zealand, town by town

AubergineOutdoors 22 Nov to 26 Dec; Under cover 25 Oct to 23 Jan

Sow outdoors: 22 Nov to 26 Dec
Under cover: 25 Oct to 23 Jan
First harvest: About 90 days after sowing. Sown on 22 November, ready around 20 February.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Aubergine across New Zealand, town by town

CourgetteOutdoors 15 Nov to 18 Feb; Under cover 18 Oct to 18 Mar

Sow outdoors: 15 Nov to 18 Feb
Under cover: 18 Oct to 18 Mar
First harvest: About 60 days after sowing. Sown on 15 November, ready around 14 January.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Courgette across New Zealand, town by town

CucumberOutdoors 15 Nov to 11 Feb; Under cover 18 Oct to 11 Mar

Sow outdoors: 15 Nov to 11 Feb
Under cover: 18 Oct to 11 Mar
First harvest: About 68 days after sowing. Sown on 15 November, ready around 22 January.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Cucumber across New Zealand, town by town

SquashOutdoors 15 Nov to 5 Jan; Under cover 18 Oct to 2 Feb

Sow outdoors: 15 Nov to 5 Jan
Under cover: 18 Oct to 2 Feb
First harvest: About 91 days after sowing. Sown on 15 November, ready around 14 February.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Squash across New Zealand, town by town

SweetcornOutdoors 7 Nov to 5 Jan; Under cover 10 Oct to 2 Feb

Sow outdoors: 7 Nov to 5 Jan
Under cover: 10 Oct to 2 Feb
First harvest: About 92 days after sowing. Sown on 7 November, ready around 7 February.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.

Sweetcorn across New Zealand, town by town

Roots

CarrotOutdoors 22 Aug to 22 Feb; Under cover 25 Jul to 22 Mar

Sow outdoors: 22 Aug to 22 Feb
Under cover: 25 Jul to 22 Mar
First harvest: About 120 days after sowing. Sown on 22 August, ready around 20 December.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Carrot across New Zealand, town by town

BeetrootOutdoors 22 Aug to 4 Mar; Under cover 25 Jul to 1 Apr

Sow outdoors: 22 Aug to 4 Mar
Under cover: 25 Jul to 1 Apr
First harvest: About 86 days after sowing. Sown on 22 August, ready around 16 November.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Beetroot across New Zealand, town by town

ParsnipOutdoors 15 Jul to 2 Dec; Under cover 17 Jun to 30 Dec

Sow outdoors: 15 Jul to 2 Dec
Under cover: 17 Jun to 30 Dec
First harvest: About 78 days after sowing. Sown on 15 July, ready around 1 October.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Parsnip across New Zealand, town by town

RadishOutdoors 21 Jul to 22 Apr; Under cover 23 Jun to 20 May

Sow outdoors: 21 Jul to 22 Apr
Under cover: 23 Jun to 20 May
First harvest: About 37 days after sowing. Sown on 21 July, ready around 27 August.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Radish across New Zealand, town by town

PotatoOutdoors 21 Jul to 31 Oct, and 3 Feb to 24 Feb; Under cover 6 Jan to 24 Mar, and 23 Jun to 28 Nov

Plant outdoors: 21 Jul to 31 Oct, and 3 Feb to 24 Feb
Under cover: 6 Jan to 24 Mar, and 23 Jun to 28 Nov
First harvest: About 72 days after planting. Planted on 21 July, ready around 1 October.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Potato across New Zealand, town by town

TurnipOutdoors 21 Jul to 23 Mar; Under cover 23 Jun to 20 Apr

Sow outdoors: 21 Jul to 23 Mar
Under cover: 23 Jun to 20 Apr
First harvest: About 85 days after sowing. Sown on 21 July, ready around 14 October.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Turnip across New Zealand, town by town

Leaves

LettuceOutdoors 21 Jul to 21 Mar; Under cover 23 Jun to 18 Apr

Sow outdoors: 21 Jul to 21 Mar
Under cover: 23 Jun to 18 Apr
First harvest: About 99 days after sowing. Sown on 21 July, ready around 28 October.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Lettuce across New Zealand, town by town

SpinachOutdoors 21 Jul to 3 May; Under cover 23 Jun to 31 May

Sow outdoors: 21 Jul to 3 May
Under cover: 23 Jun to 31 May
First harvest: About 63 days after sowing. Sown on 21 July, ready around 22 September.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Spinach across New Zealand, town by town

Swiss chardOutdoors 22 Aug to 23 Mar; Under cover 25 Jul to 20 Apr

Sow outdoors: 22 Aug to 23 Mar
Under cover: 25 Jul to 20 Apr
First harvest: About 74 days after sowing. Sown on 22 August, ready around 4 November.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Swiss chard across New Zealand, town by town

RocketOutdoors 21 Jul to 29 Apr; Under cover 23 Jun to 27 May

Sow outdoors: 21 Jul to 29 Apr
Under cover: 23 Jun to 27 May
First harvest: About 55 days after sowing. Sown on 21 July, ready around 14 September.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Rocket across New Zealand, town by town

CeleryOutdoors 6 Jul to 15 Oct, and 3 Feb to 9 Feb; Under cover 6 Jan to 12 Jan, and 3 Feb to 9 Feb, and 3 Mar to 9 Mar, and 8 Jun to 12 Nov

Sow outdoors: 6 Jul to 15 Oct, and 3 Feb to 9 Feb
Under cover: 6 Jan to 12 Jan, and 3 Feb to 9 Feb, and 3 Mar to 9 Mar, and 8 Jun to 12 Nov
First harvest: About 78 days after sowing. Sown on 6 July, ready around 22 September.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.

Celery across New Zealand, town by town

Beans and peas

Runner beanOutdoors 7 Nov to 2 Feb; Under cover 10 Oct to 2 Mar

Sow outdoors: 7 Nov to 2 Feb
Under cover: 10 Oct to 2 Mar
First harvest: About 86 days after sowing. Sown on 7 November, ready around 1 February.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.

Runner bean across New Zealand, town by town

French beanOutdoors 7 Nov to 16 Feb; Under cover 10 Oct to 16 Mar

Sow outdoors: 7 Nov to 16 Feb
Under cover: 10 Oct to 16 Mar
First harvest: About 71 days after sowing. Sown on 7 November, ready around 17 January.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.

French bean across New Zealand, town by town

Broad beanOutdoors 7 Apr to 2 Jul; Under cover 10 Mar to 30 Jul

Sow outdoors: 7 Apr to 2 Jul
Under cover: 10 Mar to 30 Jul
First harvest: About 220 days after sowing. Sown on 7 April, ready around 13 November.
Warmth: Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.

Broad bean across New Zealand, town by town

PeaOutdoors 21 Jul to 26 Dec, and 3 Feb to 22 Feb; Under cover 3 Feb to 22 Feb, and 3 Mar to 22 Mar, and 23 Jun to 25 Jan

Sow outdoors: 21 Jul to 26 Dec, and 3 Feb to 22 Feb
Under cover: 3 Feb to 22 Feb, and 3 Mar to 22 Mar, and 23 Jun to 25 Jan
First harvest: About 64 days after sowing. Sown on 21 July, ready around 23 September.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Pea across New Zealand, town by town

Onion family

OnionOutdoors 26 Jun to 15 Oct; Under cover 29 May to 12 Nov

Plant outdoors: 26 Jun to 15 Oct
Under cover: 29 May to 12 Nov
First harvest: About 84 days after planting. Planted on 26 June, ready around 18 September.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Onion across New Zealand, town by town

GarlicOutdoors 7 Apr to 20 Jul; Under cover 10 Mar to 17 Aug

Plant outdoors: 7 Apr to 20 Jul
Under cover: 10 Mar to 17 Aug
First harvest: About 250 days after planting. Planted on 7 April, ready around 13 December.
Warmth: Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.

Garlic across New Zealand, town by town

LeekOutdoors 10 May to 12 Mar; Under cover all year

Sow outdoors: 10 May to 12 Mar
Under cover: all year
First harvest: About 90 days after sowing. Sown on 10 May, ready around 8 August.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Leek across New Zealand, town by town

Spring onionOutdoors 9 Jul to 29 Apr; Under cover 11 Jun to 27 May

Sow outdoors: 9 Jul to 29 Apr
Under cover: 11 Jun to 27 May
First harvest: About 42 days after sowing. Sown on 9 July, ready around 20 August.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.

Spring onion across New Zealand, town by town

ShallotOutdoors 6 Jul to 15 Oct, and 3 Feb to 9 Feb; Under cover 6 Jan to 12 Jan, and 3 Feb to 9 Feb, and 3 Mar to 9 Mar, and 8 Jun to 12 Nov

Plant outdoors: 6 Jul to 15 Oct, and 3 Feb to 9 Feb
Under cover: 6 Jan to 12 Jan, and 3 Feb to 9 Feb, and 3 Mar to 9 Mar, and 8 Jun to 12 Nov
First harvest: About 78 days after planting. Planted on 6 July, ready around 22 September.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.

Shallot across New Zealand, town by town

Brassicas

CabbageOutdoors 16 Jul to 28 Feb; Under cover 18 Jun to 28 Mar

Sow outdoors: 16 Jul to 28 Feb
Under cover: 18 Jun to 28 Mar
First harvest: About 66 days after sowing. Sown on 16 July, ready around 20 September.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Cabbage across New Zealand, town by town

BroccoliOutdoors 22 Aug to 19 Feb; Under cover 25 Jul to 19 Mar

Sow outdoors: 22 Aug to 19 Feb
Under cover: 25 Jul to 19 Mar
First harvest: About 109 days after sowing. Sown on 22 August, ready around 9 December.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Broccoli across New Zealand, town by town

CauliflowerOutdoors 21 Jul to 26 Dec; Under cover 23 Jun to 23 Jan

Sow outdoors: 21 Jul to 26 Dec
Under cover: 23 Jun to 23 Jan
First harvest: About 157 days after sowing. Sown on 21 July, ready around 25 December.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Cauliflower across New Zealand, town by town

Brussels sproutOutdoors 3 Feb to 10 Mar, and 1 Apr to 8 Nov; Under cover 6 Jan to 6 Dec

Sow outdoors: 3 Feb to 10 Mar, and 1 Apr to 8 Nov
Under cover: 6 Jan to 6 Dec
First harvest: About 108 days after sowing. Sown on 3 February, ready around 22 May.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Brussels sprout across New Zealand, town by town

KaleOutdoors 22 Aug to 1 Mar; Under cover 25 Jul to 29 Mar

Sow outdoors: 22 Aug to 1 Mar
Under cover: 25 Jul to 29 Mar
First harvest: About 98 days after sowing. Sown on 22 August, ready around 28 November.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Kale across New Zealand, town by town

Pak choiOutdoors 19 Sep to 8 Apr; Under cover 22 Aug to 6 May

Sow outdoors: 19 Sep to 8 Apr
Under cover: 22 Aug to 6 May
First harvest: About 51 days after sowing. Sown on 19 September, ready around 9 November.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 8°C; bolts in hot weather.

Pak choi across New Zealand, town by town

Herbs

BasilOutdoors 19 Sep to 21 Feb; Under cover 22 Aug to 21 Mar

Sow outdoors: 19 Sep to 21 Feb
Under cover: 22 Aug to 21 Mar
First harvest: About 76 days after sowing. Sown on 19 September, ready around 4 December.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 8°C or more, and no frost.

Basil across New Zealand, town by town

ParsleyOutdoors 21 Jul to 1 Apr; Under cover 23 Jun to 29 Apr

Sow outdoors: 21 Jul to 1 Apr
Under cover: 23 Jun to 29 Apr
First harvest: About 106 days after sowing. Sown on 21 July, ready around 4 November.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Parsley across New Zealand, town by town

CorianderOutdoors 22 Aug to 10 Apr; Under cover 25 Jul to 8 May

Sow outdoors: 22 Aug to 10 Apr
Under cover: 25 Jul to 8 May
First harvest: About 61 days after sowing. Sown on 22 August, ready around 22 October.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C; bolts in hot weather.

Coriander across New Zealand, town by town

ChivesOutdoors 21 Jul to 2 Dec, and 3 Feb to 27 Feb; Under cover 23 Jun to 27 Mar

Sow outdoors: 21 Jul to 2 Dec, and 3 Feb to 27 Feb
Under cover: 23 Jun to 27 Mar
First harvest: Crops every year once it’s established.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Chives across New Zealand, town by town

MintOutdoors 22 Aug to 21 Jun; Under cover all year

Sow outdoors: 22 Aug to 21 Jun
Under cover: all year
First harvest: Crops every year once it’s established.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Mint across New Zealand, town by town

Fruit

StrawberryOutdoors 21 Jul to 8 Nov, and 3 Feb to 1 Mar; Under cover 6 Jan to 29 Mar, and 23 Jun to 6 Dec

Plant outdoors: 21 Jul to 8 Nov, and 3 Feb to 1 Mar
Under cover: 6 Jan to 29 Mar, and 23 Jun to 6 Dec
First harvest: Crops every year once it’s established.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Strawberry across New Zealand, town by town

RaspberryOutdoors 22 May to 20 Jul; Under cover 24 Apr to 17 Aug

Plant outdoors: 22 May to 20 Jul
Under cover: 24 Apr to 17 Aug
First harvest: Crops every year once it’s established.
Warmth: Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.

Raspberry across New Zealand, town by town

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.

Rhubarb across New Zealand, town by town

Nearby

Questions about growing in Palmerston North

When is the last frost in Palmerston North?

On average around 10 August, and the first autumn frost comes around 9 July. In a cold spring a frost can come a week or two late, so tender plants are safest out a week after the date.

Can I grow tomatoes outdoors in Palmerston North?

Yes. Plant them outdoors 16 Nov to 26 Dec, or under cover 19 Oct to 23 Jan.

What can I sow in Palmerston North 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, Brussels sprout, kale, pak choi, basil, parsley, coriander, chives, mint, strawberry. Under cover: potato, celery, onion, shallot.

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 Palmerston North. Free for 2 months.

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How 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