What to plant in October in New Zealand
14 vegetables, fruits and herbs to sow or plant in October in New Zealand, for the climate around Waikato, New Zealand.
Climate: Cool temperate maritime climate with frosts from May to September (coldest night 0 °C), warm summers peaking near 27 °C, and rain spread fairly evenly through the year, heaviest in summer.
Vegetables
Lettuce Lactuca sativa
Quick, cool-season greens that thrive in mild autumn and spring weather and bolt less in this temperate climate.
Harvest: 45–60 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Spinach Spinacia oleracea
Tolerates light frosts and cool, damp conditions, giving leaves through autumn and spring.
Harvest: 40–50 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Silverbeet Beta vulgaris
Hardy leafy crop that copes with frost and keeps producing through the mild, wet months.
Harvest: 50–60 daysEasyIn pots
Potato Solanum tuberosum
Planted after the last frosts, it grows well in this climate and stores readily in bags or beds.
Harvest: 90–120 daysEasyIn pots
Carrot Daucus carota
Deep, well-drained beds or pots suit carrots, and the mild temperatures give sweet roots.
Harvest: 70–80 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Zucchini Cucurbita pepo
Warm late-spring and summer days let it fruit prolifically once frosts have passed.
Harvest: 50–60 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Radish Raphanus sativus
Fast, reliable crop that suits the cool shoulder seasons and fills gaps between other plantings.
Harvest: 25–35 daysEasyIn pots
Sweet pepper Capsicum annuum
Needs warm summer sun, which this region gets, and does well in a sunny sheltered spot or large pot.
Harvest: 70–90 daysModerateIn potsCare guide →
Fruits
Strawberry Fragaria × ananassa
Hardy plants that survive frost and fruit well in the warm summer, and they thrive in pots and beds.
Harvest: 60–90 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Herbs
Basil Ocimum basilicum
Warm summer days produce lush leaves, and it grows happily in a sunny pot on a balcony.
Harvest: 60–70 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Thyme Thymus vulgaris
Drought tolerant and hardy in frost, it thrives in free-draining pots and sunny spots.
Harvest: 75–90 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Parsley Petroselinum crispum
Frost-hardy and productive through much of the year, it is ideal for pots and garden edges.
Harvest: 70–90 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Mint Mentha spicata
Vigorous in cool, moist conditions and best kept in a container to control its spread.
Harvest: 60–90 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Chives Allium schoenoprasum
Perennial and frost-hardy, chives give fresh leaves over many seasons with almost no care.
Harvest: 60–75 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →