Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

Planting calendar for Rotorua

Last frost around 6 August, first frost around 6 July: about 334 frost-free days.

Last frost: 6 August
First frost: 6 July
Frost-free days: 334

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
Brussels sprout
Strawberry

The year at a glance

When each crop can be sown in Rotorua. 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 Rotorua, 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: 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
Beetroot	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
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: Not this month
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: 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 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: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	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 under cover	April: Not this month	May: Sow 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: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	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: 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
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 under cover	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
Kale	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
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 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: 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 under cover	May: Not this month	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 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 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 13 Nov to 18 Dec; Under cover 16 Oct to 15 Jan

Sow outdoors: 13 Nov to 18 Dec
Under cover: 16 Oct to 15 Jan
First harvest: About 92 days after sowing. Sown on 13 November, ready around 13 February.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Tomato across New Zealand, town by town

ChilliOutdoors 11 Nov to 18 Dec; Under cover 14 Oct to 15 Jan

Sow outdoors: 11 Nov to 18 Dec
Under cover: 14 Oct to 15 Jan
First harvest: About 97 days after sowing. Sown on 11 November, ready around 16 February.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Chilli across New Zealand, town by town

Sweet pepperOutdoors 18 Nov to 26 Dec; Under cover 21 Oct to 23 Jan

Sow outdoors: 18 Nov to 26 Dec
Under cover: 21 Oct to 23 Jan
First harvest: About 91 days after sowing. Sown on 18 November, ready around 17 February.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Sweet pepper across New Zealand, town by town

AubergineOutdoors 18 Nov to 18 Dec; Under cover 21 Oct to 15 Jan

Sow outdoors: 18 Nov to 18 Dec
Under cover: 21 Oct to 15 Jan
First harvest: About 91 days after sowing. Sown on 18 November, ready around 17 February.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Aubergine across New Zealand, town by town

CourgetteOutdoors 11 Nov to 12 Jan, and 2 Feb to 17 Feb; Under cover 14 Oct to 17 Feb, and 2 Mar to 17 Mar

Sow outdoors: 11 Nov to 12 Jan, and 2 Feb to 17 Feb
Under cover: 14 Oct to 17 Feb, and 2 Mar to 17 Mar
First harvest: About 43 days after sowing. Sown on 11 November, ready around 24 December.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Courgette across New Zealand, town by town

CucumberOutdoors 11 Nov to 12 Jan, and 2 Feb to 9 Feb; Under cover 14 Oct to 9 Feb, and 2 Mar to 9 Mar

Sow outdoors: 11 Nov to 12 Jan, and 2 Feb to 9 Feb
Under cover: 14 Oct to 9 Feb, and 2 Mar to 9 Mar
First harvest: About 46 days after sowing. Sown on 11 November, ready around 27 December.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Cucumber across New Zealand, town by town

SquashOutdoors 11 Nov to 26 Dec; Under cover 14 Oct to 23 Jan

Sow outdoors: 11 Nov to 26 Dec
Under cover: 14 Oct to 23 Jan
First harvest: About 93 days after sowing. Sown on 11 November, ready around 12 February.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Squash across New Zealand, town by town

SweetcornOutdoors 4 Nov to 26 Dec; Under cover 7 Oct to 23 Jan

Sow outdoors: 4 Nov to 26 Dec
Under cover: 7 Oct to 23 Jan
First harvest: About 92 days after sowing. Sown on 4 November, ready around 4 February.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.

Sweetcorn across New Zealand, town by town

Roots

CarrotOutdoors 29 Aug to 17 Feb; Under cover 1 Aug to 17 Mar

Sow outdoors: 29 Aug to 17 Feb
Under cover: 1 Aug to 17 Mar
First harvest: About 116 days after sowing. Sown on 29 August, ready around 23 December.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Carrot across New Zealand, town by town

BeetrootOutdoors 29 Aug to 1 Mar; Under cover 1 Aug to 29 Mar

Sow outdoors: 29 Aug to 1 Mar
Under cover: 1 Aug to 29 Mar
First harvest: About 83 days after sowing. Sown on 29 August, ready around 20 November.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Beetroot across New Zealand, town by town

ParsnipOutdoors 20 Jul to 27 Nov; Under cover 22 Jun to 25 Dec

Sow outdoors: 20 Jul to 27 Nov
Under cover: 22 Jun to 25 Dec
First harvest: About 78 days after sowing. Sown on 20 July, ready around 6 October.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Parsnip across New Zealand, town by town

RadishOutdoors 21 Jul to 17 Apr; Under cover 23 Jun to 15 May

Sow outdoors: 21 Jul to 17 Apr
Under cover: 23 Jun to 15 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 29 Oct, and 2 Feb to 18 Feb; Under cover 5 Jan to 21 Jan, and 2 Feb to 18 Feb, and 2 Mar to 18 Mar, and 23 Jun to 26 Nov

Plant outdoors: 21 Jul to 29 Oct, and 2 Feb to 18 Feb
Under cover: 5 Jan to 21 Jan, and 2 Feb to 18 Feb, and 2 Mar to 18 Mar, and 23 Jun to 26 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 18 Mar; Under cover 23 Jun to 15 Apr

Sow outdoors: 21 Jul to 18 Mar
Under cover: 23 Jun to 15 Apr
First harvest: About 84 days after sowing. Sown on 21 July, ready around 13 October.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Turnip across New Zealand, town by town

Leaves

LettuceOutdoors 25 Jul to 16 Mar; Under cover 27 Jun to 13 Apr

Sow outdoors: 25 Jul to 16 Mar
Under cover: 27 Jun to 13 Apr
First harvest: About 96 days after sowing. Sown on 25 July, ready around 29 October.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Lettuce across New Zealand, town by town

SpinachOutdoors 21 Jul to 25 Apr; Under cover 23 Jun to 23 May

Sow outdoors: 21 Jul to 25 Apr
Under cover: 23 Jun to 23 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 29 Aug to 18 Mar; Under cover 1 Aug to 15 Apr

Sow outdoors: 29 Aug to 18 Mar
Under cover: 1 Aug to 15 Apr
First harvest: About 71 days after sowing. Sown on 29 August, ready around 8 November.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Swiss chard across New Zealand, town by town

RocketOutdoors 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 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 12 Jul to 14 Oct; Under cover 14 Jun to 11 Nov

Sow outdoors: 12 Jul to 14 Oct
Under cover: 14 Jun to 11 Nov
First harvest: About 78 days after sowing. Sown on 12 July, ready around 28 September.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.

Celery across New Zealand, town by town

Beans and peas

Runner beanOutdoors 4 Nov to 12 Jan; Under cover 7 Oct to 9 Feb

Sow outdoors: 4 Nov to 12 Jan
Under cover: 7 Oct to 9 Feb
First harvest: About 86 days after sowing. Sown on 4 November, ready around 29 January.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.

Runner bean across New Zealand, town by town

French beanOutdoors 4 Nov to 13 Feb; Under cover 7 Oct to 13 Mar

Sow outdoors: 4 Nov to 13 Feb
Under cover: 7 Oct to 13 Mar
First harvest: About 70 days after sowing. Sown on 4 November, ready around 13 January.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.

French bean across New Zealand, town by town

Broad beanOutdoors 9 Apr to 22 Jun; Under cover 12 Mar to 20 Jul

Sow outdoors: 9 Apr to 22 Jun
Under cover: 12 Mar to 20 Jul
First harvest: About 220 days after sowing. Sown on 9 April, ready around 15 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 18 Dec, and 2 Feb to 19 Feb; Under cover 2 Feb to 19 Feb, and 2 Mar to 19 Mar, and 23 Jun to 22 Jan

Sow outdoors: 21 Jul to 18 Dec, and 2 Feb to 19 Feb
Under cover: 2 Feb to 19 Feb, and 2 Mar to 19 Mar, and 23 Jun to 22 Jan
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.

Pea across New Zealand, town by town

Onion family

OnionOutdoors 3 Jul to 14 Oct; Under cover 5 Jun to 11 Nov

Plant outdoors: 3 Jul to 14 Oct
Under cover: 5 Jun to 11 Nov
First harvest: About 84 days after planting. Planted on 3 July, ready around 25 September.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Onion across New Zealand, town by town

GarlicOutdoors 9 Apr to 20 Jul; Under cover 12 Mar to 17 Aug

Plant outdoors: 9 Apr to 20 Jul
Under cover: 12 Mar to 17 Aug
First harvest: About 250 days after planting. Planted on 9 April, ready around 15 December.
Warmth: Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.

Garlic across New Zealand, town by town

LeekOutdoors 2 Feb to 22 Feb, and 26 May to 12 Jan; Under cover 28 Apr to 22 Mar

Sow outdoors: 2 Feb to 22 Feb, and 26 May to 12 Jan
Under cover: 28 Apr to 22 Mar
First harvest: About 90 days after sowing. Sown on 2 February, ready around 3 May.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Leek across New Zealand, town by town

Spring onionOutdoors 21 Jul to 16 Apr; Under cover 23 Jun to 14 May

Sow outdoors: 21 Jul to 16 Apr
Under cover: 23 Jun to 14 May
First harvest: About 98 days after sowing. Sown on 21 July, ready around 27 October.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.

Spring onion across New Zealand, town by town

ShallotOutdoors 12 Jul to 14 Oct; Under cover 14 Jun to 11 Nov

Plant outdoors: 12 Jul to 14 Oct
Under cover: 14 Jun to 11 Nov
First harvest: About 78 days after planting. Planted on 12 July, ready around 28 September.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.

Shallot across New Zealand, town by town

Brassicas

CabbageOutdoors 21 Jul to 21 Feb; Under cover 23 Jun to 21 Mar

Sow outdoors: 21 Jul to 21 Feb
Under cover: 23 Jun to 21 Mar
First harvest: About 146 days after sowing. Sown on 21 July, ready around 14 December.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Cabbage across New Zealand, town by town

BroccoliOutdoors 29 Aug to 12 Jan, and 2 Feb to 15 Feb; Under cover 1 Aug to 15 Feb, and 2 Mar to 15 Mar

Sow outdoors: 29 Aug to 12 Jan, and 2 Feb to 15 Feb
Under cover: 1 Aug to 15 Feb, and 2 Mar to 15 Mar
First harvest: About 68 days after sowing. Sown on 29 August, ready around 5 November.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Broccoli across New Zealand, town by town

CauliflowerOutdoors 21 Jul to 18 Dec; Under cover 23 Jun to 15 Jan

Sow outdoors: 21 Jul to 18 Dec
Under cover: 23 Jun to 15 Jan
First harvest: About 156 days after sowing. Sown on 21 July, ready around 24 December.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Cauliflower across New Zealand, town by town

Brussels sproutOutdoors 30 Apr to 5 Nov; Under cover 2 Apr to 3 Dec

Sow outdoors: 30 Apr to 5 Nov
Under cover: 2 Apr to 3 Dec
First harvest: About 108 days after sowing. Sown on 30 April, ready around 16 August.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Brussels sprout across New Zealand, town by town

KaleOutdoors 29 Aug to 25 Feb; Under cover 1 Aug to 25 Mar

Sow outdoors: 29 Aug to 25 Feb
Under cover: 1 Aug to 25 Mar
First harvest: About 94 days after sowing. Sown on 29 August, ready around 1 December.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Kale across New Zealand, town by town

Pak choiOutdoors 22 Sep to 3 Apr; Under cover 25 Aug to 1 May

Sow outdoors: 22 Sep to 3 Apr
Under cover: 25 Aug to 1 May
First harvest: About 50 days after sowing. Sown on 22 September, ready around 11 November.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 8°C; bolts in hot weather.

Pak choi across New Zealand, town by town

Herbs

BasilOutdoors 22 Sep to 19 Feb; Under cover 25 Aug to 19 Mar

Sow outdoors: 22 Sep to 19 Feb
Under cover: 25 Aug to 19 Mar
First harvest: About 73 days after sowing. Sown on 22 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 25 Mar; Under cover 23 Jun to 22 Apr

Sow outdoors: 21 Jul to 25 Mar
Under cover: 23 Jun to 22 Apr
First harvest: About 105 days after sowing. Sown on 21 July, ready around 3 November.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Parsley across New Zealand, town by town

CorianderOutdoors 29 Aug to 5 Apr; Under cover 1 Aug to 3 May

Sow outdoors: 29 Aug to 5 Apr
Under cover: 1 Aug to 3 May
First harvest: About 59 days after sowing. Sown on 29 August, ready around 27 October.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C; bolts in hot weather.

Coriander across New Zealand, town by town

ChivesOutdoors 21 Jul to 27 Nov, and 2 Feb to 23 Feb; Under cover 5 Jan to 23 Mar, and 23 Jun to 25 Dec

Sow outdoors: 21 Jul to 27 Nov, and 2 Feb to 23 Feb
Under cover: 5 Jan to 23 Mar, and 23 Jun to 25 Dec
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 29 Aug to 15 Jun; Under cover 1 Aug to 13 Jul

Sow outdoors: 29 Aug to 15 Jun
Under cover: 1 Aug to 13 Jul
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 5 Nov, and 2 Feb to 24 Feb; Under cover 5 Jan to 24 Mar, and 23 Jun to 3 Dec

Plant outdoors: 21 Jul to 5 Nov, and 2 Feb to 24 Feb
Under cover: 5 Jan to 24 Mar, and 23 Jun to 3 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 20 May to 20 Jul; Under cover 22 Apr to 17 Aug

Plant outdoors: 20 May to 20 Jul
Under cover: 22 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 Rotorua

When is the last frost in Rotorua?

On average around 6 August, and the first autumn frost comes around 6 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 Rotorua?

Yes. Plant them outdoors 13 Nov to 18 Dec, or under cover 16 Oct to 15 Jan.

What can I sow in Rotorua 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, celery, onion, 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 Rotorua. 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