Autumn & Winter Vegetable Planting Guide
There is plenty to grow in autumn and winter, even in smaller spaces with pots or containers.
This guide covers what to plant and when, whether you’re sowing seeds indoors, directly in the garden, or starting with seedlings from your local garden centre.
Warm climates (Northland, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, etc.). Cool climates (Central Plateau, Canterbury, Otago, etc.).
| VEGETABLE | SOWING TIME (WARM CLIMATE) | PLANT SEEDLINGS (WARM CLIMATE) | SOWING TIME (COOL CLIMATE) | PLANT SEEDLINGS (COOL CLIMATE) | SPACING BETWEEN PLANTS & ROWS* | HARVEST IN* (Approx) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Beetroot (for winter maturing)
| Year-round
| Year-round
| Direct sow into garden March/April
| March/April/May
| 5–10 cm apart | 56–70 days | Space so room for root bulbs to grow. Pick young for tender roots or let them mature for larger bulbs. Young leaves can be used in salads.
|
| Broad beans | Direct sow into garden from April | From May | Direct sow into garden from April | From May | 15-25cm. Rows 60-75cm apart | 90-120 days | Support to at least 1m. Pick frequently. Pinch out tips at full flowering to fatten pods and deter blackfly. Harvest early for sweet, tender beans. |
| Broccoli** | Sow in seed trays from Feb | From March, early April | Sow in seed trays from Feb | From early April | 40-60cm apart | 60-90 days | Plant in succession: 3–4 plants every three weeks for a continuous crop. Harvest heads while tight; avoid eating after flowering. Some varieties, like Broccolini, produce side sprouts for ongoing picking. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Sow in seed trays from March | From late April | Sow in seed trays from March | From late April | 90cm apart | 85-95 days | Prefers cooler climates. Stake if needed. Crops for 2–3 months—harvest lower sprouts first to encourage continued growth. |
| Cauliflower | Sow in seed trays from Feb | From late March | Sow in seed trays from Feb | From late March | 50-75cm apart | 70-120 days | Harvest when heads are white and firm. |
Cabbage
| Sow in seed trays: February–May, direct sow into garden: March–June
| From April- June
| Sow indoors January –April, direct sow into garden: Feb - May
| From March–June
| 40–50 cm apart in rows 50 cm apart. | 90–150 days | Water regularly for firm heads. Harvest when compact and solid. Cut at the base, leaving outer leaves to protect regrowth in some varieties. |
| Carrots** | Direct sow into garden year-round | Year-round | Direct sow into garden year-round | Year-round | Thin seedlings to 5-7cm apart in rows 5cm apart. | 60-90 days | Harvest before they grow too big. Rotate crop position each year. |
| Kale (Brocole) | Direct sow into garden year-round | Year-round | Direct sow into garden year-round | Year-round | 40-50cm part in rows 50cm apart. | 50-65 days | A hardy winter plant. Harvest as needed, including small side shoots when approx. 10cm. |
| Leeks | Sow in seed trays from late Jan into Feb | From early March | Sow in seed trays from late Jan into Feb | From early March | 15-20cm apart | 105-140 days | Harvest when stems are approximately 2cm thick. |
| Onions | Direct sow into garden year-round | Year-round | Direct sow into garden year-round | Year-round | 3cm apart in rows 30cm apart. | 90-120 days | Harvest when green tops fall over and start yellowing. |
| Pak Choy / Bok Choy (Asian Greens)** | Direct sow into garden year-round | Year-round | Direct sow into garden year-round | Year-round | Plant 20-30cm apart | 45-80 days | Fast growing. Likes plenty of water. Grows best in cooler conditions. Pick young, tender leaves or harvest the whole plant. |
Parsnip
| Grows best in cool climates
| Grows best in cool climates
| Direct sow into garden year-round
| Best to sow from seed directly into garden.
| 10–15 cm apart in rows 30–40 cm apart
| 112–140 days (sweeter after frost)
| Slow to germinate. Prefers cool conditions and deep, loose soil. Harvest after frost for sweeter flavour. Can be left in the ground over winter. |
| Peas** | Direct sow into garden year-round | Year-round | Direct sow into garden year-round | Year-round | 10cm apart | 65-80 days | Tall varieties reach 1.5m, semi-dwarf 1m, and dwarf 0.5m. Provide strong support for climbers. Harvest pods at 7–8cm and pick regularly to encourage more cropping. |
| Radish** | Direct sow into garden year-round | Year-round | Direct sow into garden year-round | Year-round | 2cm apart | 4-5 weeks | Easy to grow. Many varieties available. |
| Silverbeet (Swiss Chard)** | Direct sow into garden from Feb onwards | From late Feb, early March | Direct sow into garden from Feb onwards | From late Feb early March | 25-40cm apart | 50-85 days | Tolerates both cold and heat. Water regularly. Harvest as needed, taking outer leaves first to promote new growth. |
| Spinach | Direct sow into garden year-round | Year-round | Direct sow into garden year-round | Year-round | 30-60cm | 60-70 days | Harvest leaves as needed, taking outer leaves first to promote new growth. |
| Spring onions (scallions / bunching onions) | Sow in seed trays from late Jan Feb | From early March | Sow in seed trays from late Jan/ Feb | From early March | Plant in bunches or 10cm apart for larger growth, with rows 10cm apart. | 60-90 days | Reasonably cold tolerant. Do not over water. Harvest as and when needed. |
| Swede | Grows best in cool climates | Grows best in cool climates | Sow seeds in seed trays March-April, direct sow into garden: April - May | From April-June | 10–15 cm apart in rows 30 cm apart | 100–120 days | Slower-growing, Prefers cool conditions and deep, loose soil. Harvest after frost for sweeter flavour. |
| Turnip | Grows best in cool climates | Grows best in cool climates | Sow in seed trays March-July or direct into garden April-Aug | From April-Sept
| 15–20 cm apart in rows 40 cm apart | 50–70 days | Fast-growing, thrives in cool conditions and deep, loose soil. Harvest young for tender roots or leave to mature. Leaves are also edible. |
* Dependent on variety.
**Use succession planting for continuous supply. This means planting out 3-4 new seedlings every fortnight depending on the variety.
Please note: This information is a guide only, always check your seed packets or purchased seedling instructions before planting.
