Guide to Autumn & Winter Gardening in New Zealand
The best fruit and vegetables to grow (and eat) in New Zealand
Autumn has arrived in New Zealand, bringing cooler temperatures and a shift in the garden - out with the old and in with the new! Despite the weather changing and the shorter days there are still plenty of delicious and nutritious vegetables that can be grown in the garden and enjoyed. Just make sure you don't wait too long before it gets too cold!
Rosa’s garden
Coming into Autumn I am harvesting the last of my tomato and zucchini crops. I am making lots of tomato relishes and tomato sauces to enjoy throughout the winter and cutting and freezing zucchini to add to smoothies and soups. Thank goodness for my big chest freezer. I am taking out any crops such as the kale and last of the broccolini that are now past their best, so the space can be used for sowing seeds and plantings.
Planning your Autumn/Winter vegetable garden in NZ
Before diving in, take a moment to consider what you love as well as your region in New Zealand. Here's a general guide to get you started:
Warmer regions of New Zealand –
Brassicas can be planted in warmer regions of New Zealand during autumn. Just be sure to harden them off properly before transplanting.
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Cabbage
Brussels sprouts
All of New Zealand –
Leafy Greens are all great choices for autumn planting. These fast-growing vegetables can be enjoyed in salads, stir-fries, curries, stews and soups.
Kale
Spinach
Lettuce
Rocket
Bok choy
Silverbeet
Root vegetables love the cooler soil temperatures and will develop beautifully throughout autumn and winter. This is the prime time to plant root vegetables.
Carrots
Yams
Beetroot
Parsnips
Alluims
Spring onions
Red onions
Brown onions
Leeks
Herbs that will thrive in Autumn planting are these cool-season herbs.
Coriander
Parsley
Dill
Top 4 tips for Autumn planting in NZ
With a little planning and these handy tips, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest this autumn and well into winter. Head to the Two Raw Sisters App for recipe inspiration to create delicious and nutritious meals using the seasonal produce you grow, making you feel great all year around. So get out there, dig in the dirt, and plant yourself a delicious autumn vegetable patch.
1. Prepare your soil
Remove any spent summer crops and enrich the soil with compost such as mushroom compost which I am loving at the moment and / or aged manure.
2. Sow directly or start indoors
Some vegetables like carrots and beetroot can be sown directly into the soil. Others, like broccoli and cauliflower, benefit from starting indoors or in the glasshouse first.
3. Water regularly
Keep your seedlings and young plants well-watered, especially during dry spells.
4. Protect from pests
Use netting or row covers to deter pests like slugs, snails and aphids.