Nelson and Marlborough Vegetable Planting Calendar: What to Plant Now
Sunny temperate calendar for Nelson & Marlborough. 184 plants with monthly sow windows calibrated for local conditions.
This is our Nelson and Marlborough vegetable planting calendar, covering Nelson, Richmond, Motueka, Blenheim and Picton. It starts with what vegetables to plant now in Nelson and Marlborough, then goes through the whole year, with sowing windows set for the sunny temperate climate of Nelson and Marlborough. 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. The high sunshine hours make this one of the best fruit and vegetable climates in the country, and frost timing is what decides when tender crops go out.
Monthly Planting Calendar
Nelson and Marlborough are among New Zealand's sunniest regions: temperate, relatively dry, with warm summers and cool, frosty winters inland. The high sunshine hours make for excellent fruit and vegetable growing, and the dry climate reduces fungal disease. Frost timing governs when tender crops go out; otherwise this is a gardener's climate.
Month-by-month vegetable planting calendar for Nelson and Marlborough
Every vegetable in our Nelson and Marlborough 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 | Beans (bush), Beetroot, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Chicory, Collards, Cucumber, Globe Artichoke, Good King Henry, Hamburg Parsley, Jerusalem Artichoke, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna, Leek, Lettuce, Mizuna, New Zealand Spinach (Warrigal), Parsnip, Pigface (Horokaka), Quinoa, Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Salsify, Scarlet Runner Bean, Scorzonera, Silverbeet, Sorrel, Spring Onion, Swede, Turnip, Watercress, Zucchini | 38 |
| February | Beans (bush), 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 | 47 |
| 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, 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, Potato, Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Rocket, Salsify, Scorzonera, Silverbeet, Snow Peas, Sorrel, Spinach, Spring Onion, Swede, Tatsoi, Turnip, Watercress, Wombok | 49 |
| 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), Potato, Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Rocket, Salsify, Scorzonera, Silverbeet, Snow Peas, Sorrel, Spinach, Spring Onion, Swede, Tatsoi, Turnip, Watercress, Wombok | 50 |
| October | Amaranth, Asparagus, Beetroot, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Broccolini, Cabbage, Capsicum, Carrot, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Chilli, Choko, Collards, Daikon, Edamame, Eggplant, Endive, Fennel, Florence Fennel, Gai Lan, Ginger, Globe Artichoke, Good King Henry, Hamburg Parsley, Horseradish, Jerusalem Artichoke, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna, Leek, Lettuce, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, New Zealand Spinach (Warrigal), Parsnip, Pigface (Horokaka), Potato, Quinoa, Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Rocket, Salsify, Scorzonera, Silverbeet, Snow Peas, Sorrel, Spring Onion, Swede, Tatsoi, Tomatillo, Tomato, Turmeric, Turnip, Watercress, Wombok | 59 |
| November | Amaranth, Asparagus, Beans (bush), Beetroot, Brazilian Spinach, Cabbage, Capsicum, Carrot, Chilli, Choko, Cucumber, Edamame, Eggplant, Ginger, Kang Kong, Lettuce, Malabar Spinach, New Zealand Spinach (Warrigal), Pigface (Horokaka), Popcorn, Pumpkin, Quinoa, Radish, Rockmelon, Scarlet Runner Bean, Silverbeet, Spring Onion, Squash, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potato, Tomatillo, Tomato, Turmeric, Watercress, Watermelon, Zucchini | 36 |
| December | Amaranth, Beans (bush), Beetroot, Brazilian Spinach, Capsicum, Carrot, Chilli, Cucumber, Edamame, Eggplant, Kang Kong, Lettuce, Malabar Spinach, New Zealand Spinach (Warrigal), Pigface (Horokaka), Popcorn, Pumpkin, Quinoa, Radish, Rockmelon, Scarlet Runner Bean, Silverbeet, Spring Onion, Squash, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potato, Tomatillo, Tomato, Watercress, Watermelon, Zucchini | 31 |
Nelson and Marlborough vegetable sowing chart
33 popular crops, with the months you can sow or plant them in Nelson and Marlborough. 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 | Oct to Dec | ||||||||||||
| Capsicum | Oct to Dec | ||||||||||||
| Chilli | Oct to Dec | ||||||||||||
| Eggplant | Oct to Dec | ||||||||||||
| Courgette (zucchini) | Nov to Jan | ||||||||||||
| Cucumber | Nov to Jan | ||||||||||||
| Pumpkin | Nov to Dec | ||||||||||||
| Sweet Corn | Nov to Dec | ||||||||||||
| Beans (bush) | Nov to Feb | ||||||||||||
| Peas | Mar to May and Aug to Sep | ||||||||||||
| Snow Peas | Feb to Apr and Aug to Oct | ||||||||||||
| Broad Beans | Mar to Jul | ||||||||||||
| Lettuce | Aug to May | ||||||||||||
| Spinach | Mar to Sep | ||||||||||||
| Silverbeet | Aug to Apr | ||||||||||||
| Kale | Jan to Mar and Aug to Oct | ||||||||||||
| Bok Choy | Feb to Apr and Aug to Oct | ||||||||||||
| Broccoli | Jan to Apr and Aug to Oct | ||||||||||||
| Cabbage | Jan to Mar and Aug to Nov | ||||||||||||
| Cauliflower | Jan to Mar and Aug to Sep | ||||||||||||
| Carrot | Aug to Apr | ||||||||||||
| Beetroot | Aug to Mar | ||||||||||||
| Radish | Aug to Apr | ||||||||||||
| Onion | Mar to Jun | ||||||||||||
| Garlic | Apr to Jul | ||||||||||||
| Leek | Jan to Apr and Aug to Oct | ||||||||||||
| Potato | Aug to Oct | ||||||||||||
| Kลซmara (sweet potato) | Nov to Dec | ||||||||||||
| Basil | Nov to Feb | ||||||||||||
| Coriander | Mar to Apr and Aug to Oct | ||||||||||||
| Parsley | Aug to May | ||||||||||||
| Strawberry | Apr to Jul | ||||||||||||
| Watermelon | Nov to Dec |
Browse by Category
Frost dates and climate in Nelson and Marlborough
Nelson & Marlborough has a sunny temperate climate. Across the region the average last spring frost falls around 20 September and the first autumn frost around 10 May, which leaves a growing season of about 232 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.
Winters are cool and frosty inland, and frost timing governs when tender crops go out. The dry climate keeps fungal disease down.
Our Nelson and Marlborough calendar already allows for this: frost-tender crops start later than hardy ones, with tomatoes from October and basil from November. The frost dates by region page compares all nine regions, and the free app gives a local forecast with frost alerts.
Nelson and Marlborough planting seasons: a season-by-season guide
The calendar above, read by season. Counts and crop lists come straight from the Nelson and Marlborough sowing windows, so they change only when our data changes.
Spring in Nelson and Marlborough (September to November)
76 vegetables can be sown at some point in spring. Sowing windows that open: in September, Pigface (Horokaka); in October, Tomato, Capsicum, Chilli, Eggplant, Amaranth, Choko, Edamame, Ginger, New Zealand Spinach (Warrigal), Quinoa and 2 more; in November, Zucchini, Cucumber, Pumpkin, Sweet Corn, Beans (bush), Sweet Potato, Watermelon, Brazilian Spinach, Kang Kong, Malabar Spinach and 4 more. Last chance before the season ends: September for Peas, Spinach and Cauliflower; October for Snow Peas, Kale, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Leek, Potato, Broccolini, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory and 27 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 Nelson and Marlborough (December to February)
69 vegetables can be sown at some point in summer. Sowing windows that open: 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, Pumpkin, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potato, Watermelon, Amaranth, Brazilian Spinach and 7 more; January for Zucchini, Cucumber, New Zealand Spinach (Warrigal), Quinoa and Scarlet Runner Bean. You can keep sowing Beans (bush), Lettuce, Silverbeet, Carrot, Beetroot, Radish, Pigface (Horokaka), Spring Onion and Watercress through every month of it.
Autumn in Nelson and Marlborough (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 Nelson and Marlborough (June to August)
53 vegetables can be sown at some point in winter. Sowing windows that open: in August, Peas, Snow Peas, Lettuce, Silverbeet, Kale, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot and 38 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
Get a personalised email each month with what to plant, seasonal tips, and harvest reminders for your region.
We send one email per month. Unsubscribe any time.
Free Printable Planting Calendars
A4 landscape PDFs for each month, stick one on the fridge.
Get printable calendars โPlanting 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
Whangฤrei, 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, Whakatฤne and the Coromandel: warm temperate, frost window 25 September to 5 May. - Central North Island vegetable planting calendar
Rotorua, Taupล, Tลซrangi, Taumarunui and Ohakune: cool temperate highland, frost window 15 October to 15 April. - Wellington vegetable planting calendar
Wellington, Palmerston North, New Plymouth, Whanganui, Napier, Hastings and Gisborne: temperate, frost window 30 August to 10 June. - Canterbury vegetable planting calendar
Christchurch, Timaru, Ashburton, Rangiora and Kaikลura: 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, Wฤnaka, Alexandra, Cromwell and Arrowtown: semi-continental, frost window 5 November to 25 March.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I grow in Nelson and Marlborough?
With some of New Zealand's highest sunshine hours and a dry temperate climate, Nelson and Marlborough grow excellent vegetables and fruit. The dry air reduces fungal disease; inland winter frosts set the timing for tender crops.
When can I plant tomatoes in Nelson?
Our Nelson and Marlborough calendar has tomatoes going in from October to December, after the last frost. Sheltered coastal spots can start early in that window, while inland gardens often wait until around Labour Weekend. The high sunshine hours then ripen fruit well. Start seed indoors in early spring. More in when to plant tomatoes in New Zealand.
Why is Nelson good for gardening?
High sunshine, a relatively dry climate, and fertile soils make for productive, low-disease growing. Frost timing is the main local variable; otherwise the conditions suit a wide range of crops and fruit.
What vegetables can I plant now in Nelson and Marlborough?
It depends on the month. Going by our Nelson and Marlborough calendar, in spring (Sep to Nov) you can sow Tomato, Capsicum, Chilli, Eggplant, Snow Peas, Lettuce and Silverbeet; in summer (Dec to Feb) you can sow Zucchini, Cucumber, Beans (bush), Lettuce, Silverbeet, Kale and Broccoli; 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, Lettuce, Spinach, Silverbeet and Garlic. The What to plant in Nelson and Marlborough now section at the top of this page always shows the current month, and each month page lists every crop.
When is the last frost in Nelson and Marlborough?
Across Nelson & Marlborough the average last spring frost is around 20 September and the first autumn frost around 10 May, a growing season of about 232 days. These are regional midpoints, so a frost pocket or an inland garden can run later. Winters are cool and frosty inland, and frost timing governs when tender crops go out. The dry climate keeps fungal disease down. The frost dates by region page compares all nine regions.
When should I plant potatoes in Nelson and Marlborough?
Our Nelson and Marlborough calendar has potatoes planted from August to October. More in how to grow potatoes.