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Month by Month Gardening Calendar

This gardening guide has been designed based on the unique climate of Central Hawke’s Bay and may not be suitable for other regions.

Jump directly to a month: SUMMER: December, January, February. AUTUMN: March, April, May. WINTER: June, July, August. SPRING: September, October, November

January

Preparing	Harvesting
	Capsicums Chillies Corn (Once the tassels have degun to shrivel and die) Courgettes (harvest regularly to encourage more growth) Cucumbers (harvest regularly to encourage more growth) Garlic Lettuce Tomatoes Watermelon (When the small tendril nearest the fruit has turned brown)
Planting	Herbs
Amaranth Beans Beetroot Bok Choi Burdock Cabbage Capsicums Carrots Chillies Corn Cucumber Courgette Eggplant Lettuce Kale Kohlrabi Mustard Greens Parsnip Radish Rocket Salsify Silverbeet Sunflower Swede Tomatoes Turnip Transplant: Courgette/Zucchini Okra Watermelon	Plant: Basil (Purple basil requires more warmth than plan basil) Chives Lemon Grass Oregano Parsley Tarragon Maintenance: Cut herbs back to encourage new growth Pinch off tips of mature basil to stop flowers from forming Divide fennel plants that are 3-4 years old.
Maintenance
Check citrus for leaf miner Cover/protect brassicas against white cabbage butterfly Watch for heat stress on citrus and water well once a week Remove bottom leaves of tall growing tomato varieties (Save the leaves for use as an Aphid Spray) Remove side laterals on tomatoes Water citrus – if leaves begin to roll inwards this is a sign of heat stress and inadequate watering Spray or trap apple and pears for coddling moth Check peaches for brownrot Mulch to conserve moisture Fruit trees can be pruned after fruiting. this helps to reduce their vegetative vigour which means they put more energy into fruit Water rhubarb regularly – water at the base, not the leaves to prevent stem rot Clear away decaying strawberry fruit and cut off diseased folage. Keep well watered. Give olive trees a feed of nitrogen rich fertiliser. (aged chicken poop) Protect strawberries from birds Water and mulch passionfruit Lift kumara foliage to prevent rooting where leaf nodes touch soil – putting plants energy into tubers not the foliage Keep up regular feeding of vegetables and fruiting plants. Protect young seedlings from strong midday and afternoon sun, for at least a few days after transplant, especially soft leafy plants such as lettuce. Plant in the evenings if possible. Use shade cloth or try planting on the east or south of taller plants such as beans. Some plants may respond to the heat by ‘bolting’ to seed early especially spinach and coriander.

February

Preparing	Harvesting
Winter Planning: Getting vegetables in now that will be harvestable over winter is a priority for February. Once the cold weather arrives plants will stop most of their growth. Sow and plant: Cauliflower Cabbage Broccoli Silverbeet Brussel sprouts Beetroot Carrots Parsnips Leeks lettuce Rocket	Corn (Once the tassels have begun to shrivel and die) Courgettes (harvest regularly to encourage more growth) Cucumbers (harvest regularly to encourage more growth) Lettuce Melons(When the small tendril nearest the fruit has turned brown) Eggplants Capsicum Chillis Basil Beans Florence Fennel
Planting	Herbs
Amaranth Beans Beetroot Burdock Carrot Collards Corn Cucumber Florence Fennel Kohlrabi Lettuce Mustard Greens Parsnip Radish Rutabaga Salsify Shallots Silverbeet Swedes Turnip	Plant: Chives Oregano Parsley
Maintenance
Regular feeding and Mulching.

March

Preparing	Harvesting
Start in seed trays: Broccoli Cabbage Cauliflower Collards Kale	This is the busiest month for harvesting, preserving, and storing. Courgettes Cucumbers Eggplant (Aubergine) Pumpkins Stone and Pip Fruit Tomatoes
Planting	Herbs
Amaranth Broad Beans (Fava Beans) Beetroot Burdock Carrot Endive Florence Fennel Kohlrabi Lettuce Mizuna Mustard Greens Pak Choi Parsnip Radish Rocket Rutabaga Salsify Shallots Silverbeet Spinach Spring Onions Swedes Turnip Transplant: Brussel Sprouts Collard Greens Leeks Onions	Plant: Chives Coriander Dill Oregano Parsley Maintainance: Divide perennial herbs (eg Sage, Rosemary, Thyme, Marjoram, Chives) Take cuttings from perennial herbs
Maintenance
Check for whitefly Save bean seeds Check for powdery mildew (Old milk milk diluted with water as a regular spray is effective) Prune stone and pip fruit (after fruiting) Check for scale on citrus (sooty mould) Clear any fallen fruit from trees – pick up deadfall Add comfrey or Yarrow to compost, cut comfrey regularly and put in a barrel of water for fertiliser. Feed leafy greens Feed stonefruit and apples Feed citrus for last time before winter Stake tomato plants Take cuttings from figs Prune asparagus once it has it’s autumn colour Check for aphids Stake fruit trees Prepare winter garden beds for crops or sow a green crop (alfa alfa, clover, blue lupin, mustard, barley and oats) Black plastic over the soil will help keep it warm and will help capsicums ripen

April

Preparing	Harvesting
Garlic	Last of summer crops will be finishing. Try to leave pumpkins on vines as long as possible to harden and dry but watch for very wet weather, and bring in if necessary. Beans can be matured on the vines till crackly and stored for winter stews and casseroles, as well as next years seed. Yams benefit from a frost to improve flavour. Harvest when plants die back.
Planting	Herbs
Broad Beans (Fava Beans) Beetroot Burdock Cabbage Carrot Cauliflower Corn Salad Endive Florence Fennel Kale Kohlrabi Lettuce Mizuna Mustard Greens Pak Choi Peas Radish Rocket Rutabaga Shallots Silverbeet Snow Peas Spinach Turnip Transplant: Beetroot Broccoli Brussel Sprouts Cauliflower Celery Collard Greens Leeks Onion Silverbeet Spinach Spring Onions Swedes Turnips	Plant: Chives Lemon Balm Mint Oregano Parsley Sage Thyme Maintenance: Divide perennial herbs such as: Chives Marjoram Rosemary Sage Thyme
Maintenance
Plant evergreen trees Plant berries: raspberry, boysenberry, strawberry, blueberry Feed leafy vegetables Apply lime around stonefruit and apples Prune deciduous fruit trees Clear rotting or diseased fruit from beneath trees Take cuttings of figs Prune asparagus as it develops autumn colouring Check for whitefly on citrus Check for woolly aphids on apple trees Sow green crops Mound leeks Divide rhubarb and replant Apply copper spray to plums, nectarines, peaches, apricots, pears Apply lime to celery, lettuce, brssicas, broad beans, peas,onions, artichokes, rhubarb Gather autumn leaves for leaf mulch Plant green crop Add support to Broad Beans Keep Brussels Sprouts well watered. DO NOT lime strawberries or potatoes Prepare for winter frosts

May

Preparing	Harvesting
Preparation time for winter. Bare ground should be planted in a green crop such as mustard or oats, or it can be covered with a mulch of compost or pea-straw. Broad beans can still be sown, and also make a great green crop. Prepare your garlic area for planting anytime from now till July. Some peas could still be planted such as the snow pea varieties.	Pumpkins, squash, kumara, yams, and potatoes will be harvested and stored in a dry, shady place. Most areas would have had frosts in May so last of the frost tender crops will be out and frozen, dehydrated, or bottled for winter. Brassicas, silverbeet, leeks, carrots, parsnips, kale, lettuces, and rocket should keep going through the winter if you have planted enough.
Planting	Herbs
Broad Beans (Fava Beans) Brussels Sprouts Carrot Corn Salad Garlic Kohlrabi Lettuce Mizuna Mustard Greens Onion Pak Choi Peas Potatoes (protect from frost) Radish Rocket Shallots Silverbeet Snow Peas Spinach Strawberries Swede Turnip Transplant: Broccoli Brussel Sprouts Cabbage Cauliflower Collard Greens Kale Leeks Lettuce Spring Onions	Planting: Chives Coriander Oregano Parsley Collect seeds from annual herbs like Basil
Maintenance
Plant evergreen fruit and nut trees Remove fallen fruit from ground to prevent disease Check for woolly aphid on stems of apple trees (paint with methylated spirits) Apply lime around stone fruit and apple trees Apply lime on celery, onions, lettuce, peas, rhubarb, asparagus, broad beans, globe artichokes and brassicas. Avoid potatoes and strawberries Earth up leeks and celery to blanch and sweeten Sow a green crop Add support to Broad Beans Keep Brussels Sprouts well watered

June

Preparing	Harvesting
	Beetroot Brassicas Carrots Kale Leeks Parsnips Rocket Silverbeet Snow Peas Winter Lettuce
Planting	Herbs
Broad Beans (Fava Beans) Garlic Mustard greens Transplant: Seedlings planted now will likely not grow much till spring, try only in very free draining soils. Broccoli Brussel Sprouts Cabbage Cauliflower Kale Kohlrabi Leeks Onions Silverbeet Spinach	Harvesting Most herbs can be harvested as needed through the winter, basil being an exception. Maintenance: Mulch herbs with compost, pea straw or grass clippings. Don’t be tempted to cut back scraggly herbs yet as this extra growth will protect them from the cold till spring.
Maintenance
Feed brassicas Mound around celery and leeks (this gives them a sweeter taste) Mulch around plants Rake up any left over fruit and leaves Prepare vacant gardens for spring (compost trench, cover crops) Prune deciduous trees removing any crossed branches or diseased branches Fertilise fruit trees Prepare beds for early potatoes Make Whitefly traps Plant deciduous trees

July

Preparing	Harvesting
Rest time in the vegetable garden. This is an excellent time to plan what you want to grow in spring	Brassicas Broad beans Carrots Chicory Endive Kale Leeks Parsnips Rocket Silverbeet Winter Lettuce
Planting	Herbs
Planting of deciduous trees can be done now. Apples Apricots Chestnuts Hazelnuts Peaches Pears Plums	Harvesting: Coriander Mint Oregano Parsley Sage Savoury Thyme
Maintenance
Prune apple, pear, and quince trees. Mulch and feed

August

Preparing	Harvesting
Most seed can now be started indoors. The following need heat (Heat pad, greenhouse, sunny window) Beans Courgettes Pumpkins Squash Tomatoes	Brassicas Broad Beans Carrots Kale Lemons Mandarins Parsnips Rocket Silverbeet
Planting	Herbs
Asparagus Beetroot Brassicas Carrots Citrus (protect from frost) Kale Lettuce Onions Peas Radish Silverbeet Spinach Spring Onions Strawberries	Many herbs can be divided now. These include Mint Thyme Winter Savory Take cuttings or sow seed of: Lavender Rosemary Thyme
Maintenance
Prune Stone fruit and spray with copper before bud burst. or start using regular sprays of seaweed, and / or compost teas. Divide and plant Rhubarb Divide and plant Artichokes Prepare vegetable gardens Cut green crops (dig in or leave to rot) Mulch soil with compost, pea straw, or lawn clippings.

September

Preparing	Harvesting
Beans Cape Gooseberry Capsicum Chilli Corn Cucumber Eggplant Melon Squash Tomato	Brocolli Cabbage Carrots Cauliflower Citrus Kale
Planting	Herbs
Amaranth Asparagus Beetroot Burdock Cabbage Carrot Cauliflower Chicory Corn Salad Daikon Endive Fennel Jerusalem Artichokes Kohlrabi Leeks Lettuce Mustard Greens Onion Parsnip Peas Potato (keep covered from frost) Radish Rocket Salsify Shallots Silverbeet Snow Peas Spring Onions Strawberry Plants. Turnip	Basil (sow indoors) Chives Coriander Dill Mint (prepare) Oregano Parsley Sage Winter Savory Divide perennial herbs – oregano, garlic chives, lemon grass
Maintenance
Start prepping beds for tomatoes and capsicums Stake and string broad beans Chop and drop, dig in green crops Protect tender plants from frost Check lemons for aphids and ants – ants will indicate the presence of scale as they love to feed on the honeydew scale excrete Check for wooly aphids on apple trees Sprinkle Epsom Salts (magnesium Sulfate) around the drip line of citrus trees and water in. Prune passionfruit vines and feijoas to encourage new growth.

October

Preparing	Harvesting

Planting	Herbs
Amaranth Artichokes Asparagus Beans (frost tender) Beetroot Burdock Cape Gooseberry(frost tender) Carrot Chicory Chinese Cabbage Corn (frost tender) Cucumber (frost tender) Daikon Endive Fennel Horseradish Jerusalem Artichokes Kohlrabi Kumara (frost tender) Lettuce Leeks Mustard Greens Parsnip Potato (frost tender) Pumpkin (frost tender) Radish Rhubarb Rocket Salsify Silverbeet Spring Onions Strawberry Plants Sunflower Turnip Yacon Yam Transplant: Broccoli Cabbage Capsicum (frost tender) Cauliflower Celeriac Celery Chilli Peppers (frost tender) Kohlrabi Leeks Lettuce Parsnips Passionfruit (frost tender) Potatoes (frost tender) Rhubarb Silverbeet Tamarillos (frost tender) Tomato (frost tender) Watermelon (frost tender)	Angelica Basil (frost tender) Borage Chives Coriander Dill French Tarragon Lemon Balm Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Summer Savory Sweet Marjoram (prepare) Transplant: Mint Thyme Winter Savory
Maintenance
Late frosts are still a thing – protect young plants Prepare the garden for planting sweetcorn Prepare pumpkin patch by adding manure Potash around passionfruit Persimmon will benefit from liquid fertiliser through spring and early summer Feed veges with liquid fertiliser such as comfrey or seaweed tea, worm wees. Set codling moth traps. cut 30cm strip of corrugated cardboard and wrap around base of tree – corrugations on inside fairly loosely. Check for grubs late December and late February Check for wooly aphids on apples. paint aphids with methylated spirits Check for scale on citrus Spray grapevines with milk to protect from powdery mildew (1 part milk – 10 parts water sprayed on leaves – also works on roses) Protect seedings from slugs and snails

November

Preparing	Harvesting
Hard to think about winter now but Leeks and Parsnips need to be planted for harvest in the colder months. If you have a spare patch sow a green crop such as lupins or buckwheat to prepare for Late summer, and Autumn planting too.	Beetroot Broccoli Carrots Florence Fennel Lettuce Radish Rocket Silverbeet Spring Onions Strawberries
Planting	Herbs
Amaranth Artichokes Asparagus Beans Beetroot Burdock Cape Gooseberry Carrots Chicory Chinese Cabbage Corn Cucumber Horseradish Jerusalem Artichokes Kohirabi Kumara Lettuce Mustard Greens Parsnip Potato Pumpkin Radish Rhubarb Salsify Silverbeet Sunflower Tomato Turnip Yacon Yam Zucchini Transplant: Broccoli Cabbage Capsicum Cardoon Celeriac Celery Chilli Peppers Courgette Eggplant Leeks Luffa NZ Spinach Rockmelon Tomatillo Tomato Watermelon Zucchini	Angelica Borage Chives Coriander Lemon Balm Mint Oregano Parsley Tarragon Transplant: Basil Chives Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Summer Savory Thyme
Maintenance
Feed leafy crops Feed autumn fruiting trees eg persimmons Feed strawberries Feed citrus around drip line

December

Preparing	Harvesting
	As well as all the usual salad vegetables and herbs, Asparagus and strawberries should be in full swing. The following may be starting for some of you. Beans Cherry tomatoes Courgettes .
Planting	Herbs
Keep sowing regular crops of lettuce, radish, spring onions, rocket, carrots and beetroot for regular summer harvests. Bush beans can be useful as an extra nitrogen crop to sow between other plants. All crops can be sown or planted outdoors now though most tender crops such as eggplants, basil and capsicums will still benefit from being started off indoors to get well established before planting out Amaranth Beans Beetroot Burdock Cape Gooseberry Carrot Chilli Peppers Choko Corn Cucumber Kohlrabi Lettuce Mustard Greens Parsnip Pumpkin Radish Salsify Silverbeet Sunflower Turnip Transplant: Capsicum Celeriac Celery Courgette Eggplant Leeks Luffa NZ Spinach Okra Rockmelon Squash Tomatillo Tomato Watermelon Zucchini	Borage Chives Coriander Oregano Parsley Sage Sweet Marjoram Tarragon Transplant: Basil Marjoram
Maintenance
Keep Gardens well mulched and fed regularly. healthy growth now will give some protection from dry days, as well as bugs and diseases.