Fruit Tree, Vegetable, and Gardening Planting Calendar – A Broad Brushstroke for our NZ climate

The Bay of Plenty region enjoys a temperate climate with warm summers and mild winters, making it ideal for growing a wide range of fruit trees, vegetables, and other garden plants. Here is a comprehensive planting calendar to help you plan your garden activities throughout the year.

Fruit Tree Planting Calendar

• January: Harvesting summer fruits such as plums, peaches, nectarines, and early apples. Thin fruit on heavily laden trees.
• February: Continue harvesting summer fruits. Prune stone fruit trees after harvest to encourage new growth.
• March: Harvest late apples, pears, and figs. Plant new citrus trees and protect young trees from late summer heat.
• April: Harvest feijoas and kiwifruit. Prune deciduous fruit trees once they have finished fruiting.
• May: Harvest persimmons and late kiwifruit. Begin winter pruning of deciduous trees.
• June: Plant bare-rooted fruit trees such as apples, pears, and stone fruits. Complete winter pruning.
• July: Continue planting bare-rooted fruit trees. Mulch around established trees to protect roots from cold.
• August: Finish planting bare-rooted trees. Prune citrus trees and prepare for spring growth.
• September: Plant new citrus trees. Fertilize fruit trees with a balanced fertilizer to promote spring growth.
• October: Plant avocado trees. Thin fruit on apples, pears, and stone fruits to improve size and quality.
• November: Continue thinning fruit. Mulch around trees to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
• December: Harvest early stone fruits and berries. Protect fruit from birds with netting.

Vegetable Planting Calendar

• January: Plant late summer crops such as beans, sweet corn, and zucchini. Continue harvesting tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers.
• February: Sow seeds for autumn crops like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and carrots. Harvest summer vegetables regularly.
• March: Plant leafy greens like spinach, kale, and lettuce. Harvest pumpkins and squash.
• April: Sow winter crops such as garlic, onions, and broad beans. Continue harvesting late summer and autumn vegetables.
• May: Plant winter greens such as silverbeet and pak choi. Harvest the last of the summer crops.
• June: Sow cover crops like lupins and mustard to improve soil health. Plant winter-hardy vegetables.
• July: Plant brassicas like Brussels sprouts and cabbages. Protect young plants from frost.
• August: Sow early spring crops like peas, lettuce, and radishes. Start seeds indoors for tomatoes and peppers.
• September: Plant potatoes and early carrots. Transplant seedlings of tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants once the risk of frost has passed.
• October: Plant summer crops like beans, cucumbers, zucchini, and sweet corn. Sow successive crops of lettuce and radishes.
• November: Continue planting summer vegetables. Mulch around plants to conserve moisture and control weeds.
• December: Harvest early summer crops. Plant second rounds of fast-growing vegetables like beans and cucumbers.

Flower and General Garden Planting Calendar

• January: Deadhead flowers to encourage further blooming. Plant summer annuals and water regularly.
• February: Sow seeds for autumn flowers like marigolds and cosmos. Divide and replant overcrowded perennials.
• March: Plant spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils and tulips. Prune summer-flowering shrubs after blooming.
• April: Sow wildflowers and cover crops. Plant winter annuals like pansies and violas.
• May: Plant winter and spring-flowering bulbs. Continue deadheading and tidying up garden beds.
• June: Prune deciduous shrubs and trees. Mulch around plants to protect roots from the cold.
• July: Plant bare-rooted roses and deciduous trees. Plan and design garden beds for spring planting.
• August: Sow seeds for spring annuals indoors. Start preparing garden beds for spring planting.
• September: Plant spring annuals and perennials. Fertilize garden beds with compost or organic fertilizer.
• October: Continue planting spring and summer flowers. Mulch garden beds to conserve moisture and control weeds.
• November: Plant summer bulbs like dahlias and lilies. Water garden beds regularly as temperatures rise.
• December: Deadhead flowers to maintain blooming. Plant summer annuals and perennials for continuous color.

Conclusion

By following this planting calendar, you can ensure a productive and beautiful garden throughout the year in New Zealand. Happy gardening!