Central North Island Vegetable Planting Calendar: What to Plant Now
Cool temperate highland calendar for the Central North Island. 168 plants with monthly sow windows calibrated for local conditions.
This is our Central North Island vegetable planting calendar, covering Rotorua, Taupō, Tūrangi, Taumarunui and Ohakune. It starts with what vegetables to plant now in the Central North Island, then goes through the whole year, with sowing windows set for the cool temperate highland climate of the volcanic plateau. Further down you will find a sowing chart for popular vegetables, local timing notes, frost dates and a season-by-season guide, all from the same data that runs the Planting Season app. Much of the plateau sits 300 to 600 metres up, so the season is shorter than the latitude suggests and tender crops wait until November.
Monthly Planting Calendar
The Central North Island covers Rotorua, Taupō and the Ruapehu district on the volcanic plateau, much of it 300 to 600 metres up. Altitude brings cold nights and hard frosts from mid April to mid October, so the season is shorter than the latitude suggests. Pumice soils drain fast and hold few nutrients, so dig in compost and water in dry spells despite the high rainfall. Brassicas, roots, berries and fruit trees that need winter chill do well; tender crops wait until November.
Month-by-month vegetable planting calendar for the Central North Island
Every vegetable in our Central North Island calendar, grouped by the month you can sow or plant it. Each month links to its full page with herbs, fruit, spacing, harvest times and companions.
| Month | Vegetables to sow or plant | Count |
|---|---|---|
| January | Beetroot, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Chicory, Collards, Globe Artichoke, Good King Henry, Hamburg Parsley, Jerusalem Artichoke, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna, Leek, Lettuce, Mizuna, Parsnip, Pigface (Horokaka), Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Salsify, Scorzonera, Silverbeet, Sorrel, Spring Onion, Swede, Turnip, Watercress | 32 |
| February | Beetroot, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Broccolini, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Collards, Daikon, Endive, Fennel, Florence Fennel, Gai Lan, Globe Artichoke, Good King Henry, Hamburg Parsley, Jerusalem Artichoke, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna, Leek, Lettuce, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Parsnip, Pigface (Horokaka), Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Rocket, Salsify, Scorzonera, Silverbeet, Snow Peas, Sorrel, Spring Onion, Swede, Tatsoi, Turnip, Watercress, Wombok | 46 |
| March | Beetroot, Bok Choy, Broad Beans, Broccoli, Broccolini, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Collards, Daikon, Endive, Fennel, Florence Fennel, Gai Lan, Globe Artichoke, Good King Henry, Hamburg Parsley, Jerusalem Artichoke, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna, Leek, Lettuce, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Onion, Parsnip, Peas, Pigface (Horokaka), Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Rocket, Salsify, Scorzonera, Shallot, Silverbeet, Snow Peas, Sorrel, Spinach, Spring Onion, Swede, Tatsoi, Turnip, Watercress, Wombok | 51 |
| April | Bok Choy, Broad Beans, Broccoli, Broccolini, Brussels Sprouts, Carrot, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Daikon, Endive, Fennel, Florence Fennel, Gai Lan, Garlic, Globe Artichoke, Good King Henry, Hamburg Parsley, Jerusalem Artichoke, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna, Leek, Lettuce, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Onion, Parsnip, Peas, Pigface (Horokaka), Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Rocket, Salsify, Scorzonera, Shallot, Silverbeet, Snow Peas, Sorrel, Spinach, Spring Onion, Swede, Tatsoi, Turnip, Watercress, Wombok | 47 |
| May | Broad Beans, Garlic, Lettuce, Onion, Peas, Shallot, Spinach, Watercress | 8 |
| June | Broad Beans, Garlic, Onion, Shallot, Spinach | 5 |
| July | Broad Beans, Garlic, Spinach | 3 |
| August | Asparagus, Broccoli, Cabbage, Celeriac, Chicory, Collards, Globe Artichoke, Good King Henry, Hamburg Parsley, Horseradish, Jerusalem Artichoke, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna, Leek, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Parsnip, Peas, Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Salsify, Scorzonera, Silverbeet, Snow Peas, Sorrel, Spinach, Spring Onion, Swede, Turnip, Watercress | 32 |
| September | Asparagus, Beetroot, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Broccolini, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Collards, Daikon, Endive, Fennel, Florence Fennel, Gai Lan, Globe Artichoke, Good King Henry, Hamburg Parsley, Horseradish, Jerusalem Artichoke, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna, Leek, Lettuce, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Parsnip, Peas, Pigface (Horokaka), Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Rocket, Salsify, Scorzonera, Silverbeet, Snow Peas, Sorrel, Spinach, Spring Onion, Swede, Tatsoi, Turnip, Watercress, Wombok | 49 |
| October | Asparagus, Beetroot, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Broccolini, Cabbage, Carrot, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Collards, Daikon, Endive, Fennel, Florence Fennel, Gai Lan, Globe Artichoke, Good King Henry, Hamburg Parsley, Horseradish, Jerusalem Artichoke, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna, Leek, Lettuce, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Parsnip, Pigface (Horokaka), Potato, Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Rocket, Salsify, Scorzonera, Silverbeet, Snow Peas, Sorrel, Spring Onion, Swede, Tatsoi, Turnip, Watercress, Wombok | 47 |
| November | Amaranth, Asparagus, Beans (bush), Beetroot, Cabbage, Capsicum, Carrot, Chilli, Cucumber, Edamame, Eggplant, Lettuce, New Zealand Spinach (Warrigal), Pigface (Horokaka), Popcorn, Potato, Pumpkin, Quinoa, Radish, Scarlet Runner Bean, Silverbeet, Spring Onion, Squash, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potato, Tomatillo, Tomato, Watercress, Zucchini | 29 |
| December | Amaranth, Beans (bush), Beetroot, Brazilian Spinach, Capsicum, Carrot, Chilli, Cucumber, Edamame, Eggplant, Kang Kong, Lettuce, Malabar Spinach, New Zealand Spinach (Warrigal), Pigface (Horokaka), Quinoa, Radish, Rockmelon, Scarlet Runner Bean, Silverbeet, Spring Onion, Squash, Sweet Corn, Tomatillo, Tomato, Watercress, Watermelon, Zucchini | 28 |
Central North Island vegetable sowing chart
33 popular crops, with the months you can sow or plant them in the Central North Island. Shaded months are open sowing windows, and the last column spells them out. Seed started in trays or under cover counts as a sowing where our data says so.
| Crop | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Sow or plant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Nov to Dec | ||||||||||||
| Capsicum | Nov to Dec | ||||||||||||
| Chilli | Nov to Dec | ||||||||||||
| Eggplant | Nov to Dec | ||||||||||||
| Courgette (zucchini) | Nov to Dec | ||||||||||||
| Cucumber | Nov to Dec | ||||||||||||
| Pumpkin | Nov | ||||||||||||
| Sweet Corn | Nov to Dec | ||||||||||||
| Beans (bush) | Nov to Dec | ||||||||||||
| Peas | Mar to May and Aug to Sep | ||||||||||||
| Snow Peas | Feb to Apr and Aug to Oct | ||||||||||||
| Broad Beans | Mar to Jul | ||||||||||||
| Lettuce | Sep to May | ||||||||||||
| Spinach | Mar to Sep | ||||||||||||
| Silverbeet | Aug to Apr | ||||||||||||
| Kale | Jan to Mar and Aug to Oct | ||||||||||||
| Bok Choy | Feb to Apr and Sep to Oct | ||||||||||||
| Broccoli | Jan to Apr and Aug to Oct | ||||||||||||
| Cabbage | Jan to Mar and Aug to Nov | ||||||||||||
| Cauliflower | Jan to Mar and Sep | ||||||||||||
| Carrot | Sep to Apr | ||||||||||||
| Beetroot | Sep to Mar | ||||||||||||
| Radish | Aug to Apr | ||||||||||||
| Onion | Mar to Jun | ||||||||||||
| Garlic | Apr to Jul | ||||||||||||
| Leek | Jan to Apr and Aug to Oct | ||||||||||||
| Potato | Oct to Nov | ||||||||||||
| Kūmara (sweet potato) | Nov | ||||||||||||
| Basil | Dec | ||||||||||||
| Coriander | Mar to Apr and Sep to Oct | ||||||||||||
| Parsley | Aug to May | ||||||||||||
| Strawberry | Apr to Jul | ||||||||||||
| Watermelon | Dec |
Local timing notes for the Central North Island
Where timing in the Central North Island differs from the baseline calendar, our data carries a local note. These are the same notes the app and the plant pages show for this region, and they explain the shape of the chart above.
- Tomato (Nov to Dec): Plant out from mid November once the frosts are done. Cloches help on cold plateau nights.
- Chilli (Nov to Dec): Needs warmth. Best in a tunnel house or in pots against a sunny wall.
- Eggplant (Nov to Dec): Cold plateau nights slow it down; a tunnel house or cloche gives far better crops.
- Pumpkin (Nov): Sow in November so the fruit ripens before the mid April frosts.
- Lettuce (Sep to May): Skip August in the central North Island. Hard frosts and cold soil stall seedlings, so start in September, under a cloche if you can.
- Bok Choy (Feb to Apr and Sep to Oct): Skip August in the central North Island. Hard frosts and cold soil stall seedlings, so start in September, under a cloche if you can.
- Cauliflower (Jan to Mar and Sep): Skip August in the central North Island. Plant from September and cover young plants on frosty nights.
- Carrot (Sep to Apr): Skip August in the central North Island. Hard frosts and cold soil stall seedlings, so start in September, under a cloche if you can.
- Beetroot (Sep to Mar): Skip August in the central North Island. Hard frosts and cold soil stall seedlings, so start in September, under a cloche if you can.
- Potato (Oct to Nov): Frost burns the shoots. Plant from mid October and earth up if a late frost is forecast.
- Kūmara (sweet potato) (Nov): Marginal. Rotorua and warm lake edge sites only; use black plastic mulch or a tunnel house.
- Basil (Dec): Sulks in cold nights. Wait until December or grow it under cover.
- Coriander (Mar to Apr and Sep to Oct): Skip August in the central North Island. Hard frosts and cold soil stall seedlings, so start in September, under a cloche if you can.
- Watermelon (Dec): Marginal on the plateau. Grow under cover or on black plastic in the warmest spot.
Browse by Category
Frost dates and climate in the Central North Island
Central North Island has a cool temperate highland climate. Across the region the average last spring frost falls around 15 October and the first autumn frost around 15 April, which leaves a growing season of about 182 days for frost-tender crops such as tomatoes, beans, pumpkins and basil. Those are regional midpoints: a frost pocket, a slope or a warm wall can shift your own dates by weeks.
Altitude brings cold nights and hard frosts from mid April to mid October, and tender crops wait until November. Pumice soils drain fast and hold few nutrients, so dig in compost and water in dry spells.
Our Central North Island calendar already allows for this: frost-tender crops start later than hardy ones, with tomatoes from November and basil from December. The frost dates by region page compares all nine regions, and the free app gives a local forecast with frost alerts.
Central North Island planting seasons: a season-by-season guide
The calendar above, read by season. Counts and crop lists come straight from the Central North Island sowing windows, so they change only when our data changes.
Spring in the Central North Island (September to November)
68 vegetables can be sown at some point in spring. Sowing windows that open: in September, Lettuce, Bok Choy, Cauliflower, Carrot, Beetroot, Broccolini, Celery, Daikon, Endive, Fennel and 7 more; in October, Potato; in November, Tomato, Capsicum, Chilli, Eggplant, Zucchini, Cucumber, Pumpkin, Sweet Corn, Beans (bush), Sweet Potato and 8 more. Last chance before the season ends: September for Peas, Spinach and Cauliflower; October for Snow Peas, Kale, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Leek, Broccolini, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Collards and 26 more. You can keep sowing Lettuce, Silverbeet, Cabbage, Carrot, Beetroot, Radish, Asparagus, Pigface (Horokaka), Spring Onion and Watercress through every month of it.
Summer in the Central North Island (December to February)
66 vegetables can be sown at some point in summer. Sowing windows that open: in December, Watermelon, Brazilian Spinach, Kang Kong, Malabar Spinach and Rockmelon; in January, Kale, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Leek, Brussels Sprouts, Celeriac, Chicory, Collards, Globe Artichoke and 14 more; in February, Snow Peas, Bok Choy, Broccolini, Celery, Daikon, Endive, Fennel, Florence Fennel, Gai Lan, Mibuna and 4 more. Last chance before the season ends: December for Tomato, Capsicum, Chilli, Eggplant, Zucchini, Cucumber, Sweet Corn, Beans (bush), Watermelon, Amaranth and 10 more. You can keep sowing Lettuce, Silverbeet, Carrot, Beetroot, Radish, Pigface (Horokaka), Spring Onion and Watercress through every month of it.
Autumn in the Central North Island (March to May)
52 vegetables can be sown at some point in autumn. Sowing windows that open: in March, Peas, Broad Beans, Spinach, Onion and Shallot; in April, Garlic. Last chance before the season ends: March for Kale, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Beetroot and Collards; April for Snow Peas, Silverbeet, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Carrot, Radish, Leek, Broccolini, Brussels Sprouts, Celeriac and 29 more. You can keep sowing Peas, Broad Beans, Lettuce, Spinach, Onion, Shallot and Watercress through every month of it. For more detail, see what to grow in autumn.
Winter in the Central North Island (June to August)
36 vegetables can be sown at some point in winter. Sowing windows that open: in August, Peas, Snow Peas, Silverbeet, Kale, Broccoli, Cabbage, Radish, Leek, Asparagus, Celeriac and 21 more. Last chance before the season ends: June for Onion and Shallot; July for Broad Beans and Garlic. You can keep sowing Spinach through every month of it. For more detail, see winter vegetables to plant in New Zealand.
Growing Guides
In-depth guides for the most popular crops and techniques. These guides adapt to your region.
Free Monthly Planting Calendar
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Free Printable Planting Calendars
A4 landscape PDFs for each month, stick one on the fridge.
Get printable calendars →Planting calendars for other New Zealand regions
Gardening somewhere else? Each region has its own sowing windows, frost dates and month pages. For the whole country at a glance, see what vegetables to plant now in New Zealand.
- Northland vegetable planting calendar
Whangārei, Kerikeri, Kaitaia, Dargaville and Mangawhai: subtropical, effectively frost free. - Auckland vegetable planting calendar
Auckland, the North Shore, Manukau, Waitakere and Pukekohe: warm temperate, effectively frost free. - Waikato and Bay of Plenty vegetable planting calendar
Hamilton, Tauranga, Whakatāne and the Coromandel: warm temperate, frost window 25 September to 5 May. - Wellington vegetable planting calendar
Wellington, Palmerston North, New Plymouth, Whanganui, Napier, Hastings and Gisborne: temperate, frost window 30 August to 10 June. - Nelson and Marlborough vegetable planting calendar
Nelson, Richmond, Motueka, Blenheim and Picton: sunny temperate, frost window 20 September to 10 May. - Canterbury vegetable planting calendar
Christchurch, Timaru, Ashburton, Rangiora and Kaikōura: cool temperate, frost window 10 October to 20 April. - Otago and Southland vegetable planting calendar
Dunedin, Invercargill, Oamaru, Gore and Balclutha: cold temperate, frost window 25 October to 5 April. - Central Otago vegetable planting calendar
Queenstown, Wānaka, Alexandra, Cromwell and Arrowtown: semi-continental, frost window 5 November to 25 March.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the frost dates in the Central North Island?
On the volcanic plateau the last spring frost is usually around 15 October and the first autumn frost around 15 April, which gives a frost free season of about six months. Higher sites such as Tūrangi, National Park and Ohakune can frost later in spring and earlier in autumn, so keep frost cloth handy until November and hold tender crops back until then.
How do I garden in pumice soil?
The pumice soils around Taupō and Rotorua drain very fast and hold few nutrients, so water and fertiliser wash straight through. Dig in plenty of compost and well rotted manure each season, mulch to hold moisture, and water in dry spells even though the annual rainfall is high. Raised beds filled with a compost rich mix warm up sooner and give crops a better start.
What grows well at altitude, and what needs a tunnel house?
Brassicas, root crops, potatoes, garlic, peas, broad beans, berries and fruit trees that need winter chill, such as apples, pears and cherries, all do well on the plateau. Tomatoes, capsicums, eggplant, chillies, basil and melons wait until November or December and crop far better in a tunnel house, glasshouse or under cloches. Frost tender fruit such as limes, avocados and tamarillos are not suited to growing outdoors here.
What vegetables can I plant now in the Central North Island?
It depends on the month. Going by our Central North Island calendar, in spring (Sep to Nov) you can sow Snow Peas, Lettuce, Silverbeet, Kale, Bok Choy, Broccoli and Cabbage; in summer (Dec to Feb) you can sow Lettuce, Silverbeet, Kale, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower and Carrot; in autumn (Mar to May) you can sow Peas, Snow Peas, Broad Beans, Lettuce, Spinach, Silverbeet and Bok Choy; in winter (Jun to Aug) you can sow Peas, Snow Peas, Broad Beans, Spinach, Silverbeet, Kale and Garlic. The What to plant in the Central North Island now section at the top of this page always shows the current month, and each month page lists every crop.
When should I plant tomatoes in the Central North Island?
Our Central North Island calendar has tomatoes sown or planted from November to December. Plant out from mid November once the frosts are done. Cloches help on cold plateau nights. More in when to plant tomatoes in New Zealand.
When should I plant potatoes in the Central North Island?
Our Central North Island calendar has potatoes planted from October to November. Frost burns the shoots. Plant from mid October and earth up if a late frost is forecast. More in how to grow potatoes.