Waikato and Bay of Plenty Vegetable Planting Calendar: What to Plant Now
Warm temperate calendar for Waikato & Bay of Plenty. 185 plants with monthly sow windows calibrated for local conditions.
This is our Waikato and Bay of Plenty vegetable planting calendar, covering Hamilton, Tauranga, Whakatฤne and the Coromandel. It starts with what vegetables to plant now in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty, then goes through the whole year, with sowing windows set for the warm temperate climate of the Waikato and Bay of Plenty. 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. Inland Waikato gets sharper winter frosts than the coast, so gardens around Hamilton often plant frost-tender crops a little later than gardens on the Bay of Plenty coast.
Monthly Planting Calendar
The Waikato and Bay of Plenty are warm temperate with fertile soils and good sunshine, though inland Waikato gets sharper winter frosts than the coast. Spring and summer are the main growing seasons; the Bay of Plenty's coastal warmth suits subtropicals like avocado and citrus, while inland gardens wait a little longer to plant frost-tender crops. A reliable, productive growing climate for most vegetables.
Month-by-month vegetable planting calendar for the Waikato and Bay of Plenty
Every vegetable in our Waikato and Bay of Plenty 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, Capsicum, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Chilli, Collards, Daikon, Eggplant, 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, New Zealand Spinach (Warrigal), Parsnip, Peas, Pigface (Horokaka), Potato, Quinoa, Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Rocket, Salsify, Scorzonera, Silverbeet, Snow Peas, Sorrel, Spinach, Spring Onion, Swede, Tatsoi, Tomatillo, Tomato, Turnip, Watercress, Wombok | 57 |
| October | Amaranth, Asparagus, Beans (bush), Beetroot, Bok Choy, Brazilian Spinach, Broccoli, Broccolini, Cabbage, Capsicum, Carrot, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Chilli, Choko, Collards, Cucumber, Daikon, Edamame, Eggplant, Endive, Fennel, Florence Fennel, Gai Lan, Ginger, Globe Artichoke, Good King Henry, Hamburg Parsley, Horseradish, Jerusalem Artichoke, Kale, Kang Kong, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna, Leek, Lettuce, Malabar Spinach, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, New Zealand Spinach (Warrigal), Okra, Parsnip, Pigface (Horokaka), Popcorn, Potato, Pumpkin, Quinoa, Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Rocket, Rockmelon, Salsify, Scarlet Runner Bean, Scorzonera, Silverbeet, Snow Peas, Sorrel, Spring Onion, Squash, Swede, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potato, Tatsoi, Tomatillo, Tomato, Turmeric, Turnip, Watercress, Watermelon, Wombok, Zucchini | 74 |
| 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), Okra, Pigface (Horokaka), Popcorn, Pumpkin, Quinoa, Radish, Rockmelon, Scarlet Runner Bean, Silverbeet, Spring Onion, Squash, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potato, Tomatillo, Tomato, Turmeric, Watercress, Watermelon, Zucchini | 37 |
| December | Amaranth, Beans (bush), Beetroot, Brazilian Spinach, Carrot, Chilli, Cucumber, Edamame, Eggplant, Kang Kong, Lettuce, Malabar Spinach, New Zealand Spinach (Warrigal), Okra, Pigface (Horokaka), Quinoa, Radish, Scarlet Runner Bean, Silverbeet, Spring Onion, Tomatillo, Tomato, Watercress, Zucchini | 24 |
Waikato and Bay of Plenty vegetable sowing chart
33 popular crops, with the months you can sow or plant them in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty. 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 | Sep to Dec | ||||||||||||
| Capsicum | Sep to Nov | ||||||||||||
| Chilli | Sep to Dec | ||||||||||||
| Eggplant | Sep to Dec | ||||||||||||
| Courgette (zucchini) | Oct to Jan | ||||||||||||
| Cucumber | Oct to Jan | ||||||||||||
| Pumpkin | Oct to Nov | ||||||||||||
| Sweet Corn | Oct to Nov | ||||||||||||
| Beans (bush) | Oct 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) | Oct to Nov | ||||||||||||
| Basil | Oct to Feb | ||||||||||||
| Coriander | Mar to Apr and Aug to Oct | ||||||||||||
| Parsley | Aug to May | ||||||||||||
| Strawberry | Apr to Jul | ||||||||||||
| Watermelon | Oct to Nov |
Browse by Category
Frost dates and climate in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty
Waikato & Bay of Plenty has a warm temperate climate. Across the region the average last spring frost falls around 25 September and the first autumn frost around 5 May, which leaves a growing season of about 222 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.
Inland Waikato gets sharper winter frosts than the coast, and inland gardens wait a little longer to plant frost-tender crops, while the Bay of Plenty's coastal warmth suits subtropicals such as avocado and citrus.
Our Waikato and Bay of Plenty calendar already allows for this: frost-tender crops start later than hardy ones, with tomatoes from September and basil from October. The frost dates by region page compares all nine regions, and the free app gives a local forecast with frost alerts.
Waikato and Bay of Plenty planting seasons: a season-by-season guide
The calendar above, read by season. Counts and crop lists come straight from the Waikato and Bay of Plenty sowing windows, so they change only when our data changes.
Spring in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty (September to November)
77 vegetables can be sown at some point in spring. Sowing windows that open: in September, Tomato, Capsicum, Chilli, Eggplant, New Zealand Spinach (Warrigal), Pigface (Horokaka), Quinoa and Tomatillo; in October, Zucchini, Cucumber, Pumpkin, Sweet Corn, Beans (bush), Sweet Potato, Watermelon, Amaranth, Brazilian Spinach, Choko and 10 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 Tomato, Capsicum, Chilli, Eggplant, Lettuce, Silverbeet, Cabbage, Carrot, Beetroot, Radish, Asparagus, New Zealand Spinach (Warrigal), Pigface (Horokaka), Quinoa and 3 more through every month of it.
Summer in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty (December to February)
62 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, Chilli, Eggplant, Amaranth, Brazilian Spinach, Edamame, Kang Kong, Malabar Spinach, Okra and Tomatillo; 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 the Waikato and Bay of Plenty (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 Waikato and Bay of Plenty (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. - 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. - 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 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 the Waikato and Bay of Plenty?
A warm temperate climate with fertile soils grows almost everything: vegetables, fruit, citrus and avocado on the coast. Inland Waikato gets sharper winter frosts than the Bay of Plenty coast, so frost-tender crops go out a little later inland.
When can I plant tomatoes in the Waikato?
Our Waikato and Bay of Plenty calendar has tomatoes sown or planted from September to December. Start seed indoors in September and plant out into warm soil once frost risk passes. The regional average last frost is around 25 September; the warmer Bay of Plenty coast is usually safe sooner than inland Waikato, where colder gardens often wait until Labour Weekend. More in when to plant tomatoes in New Zealand.
Is the Bay of Plenty good for citrus and avocado?
Yes. The Bay of Plenty's coastal warmth is among the best in New Zealand for citrus and avocado. Plant in spring, give shelter from wind, and feed through the warmer months.
What vegetables can I plant now in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty?
It depends on the month. Going by our Waikato and Bay of Plenty calendar, in spring (Sep to Nov) you can sow Tomato, Capsicum, Chilli, Eggplant, Zucchini, Cucumber and Pumpkin; 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 the Waikato and Bay of Plenty 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 the Waikato and Bay of Plenty?
Across Waikato & Bay of Plenty the average last spring frost is around 25 September and the first autumn frost around 5 May, a growing season of about 222 days. These are regional midpoints, so a frost pocket or an inland garden can run later. Inland Waikato gets sharper winter frosts than the coast, and inland gardens wait a little longer to plant frost-tender crops, while the Bay of Plenty's coastal warmth suits subtropicals such as avocado and citrus. The frost dates by region page compares all nine regions.
When should I plant potatoes in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty?
Our Waikato and Bay of Plenty calendar has potatoes planted from August to October. More in how to grow potatoes.