Autumn Planting Guide for Northland & Auckland, NZ

Why Autumn is the Best Time to Plant 🌱🍁

Autumn in the north provides perfect growing conditions: warm soil, moderate rainfall, and reduced heat stress. Taking advantage of this season means stronger root development and healthier plants going into winter. With the right care, your autumn garden can be just as productive as spring!

Vegetables to Plant & Harvest Timelines

Leafy Greens 🥬

• What to Plant: Spinach, lettuce, silverbeet, kale, mustard greens, rocket, Asian greens (bok choy, tatsoi, mizuna).
• Ready to Harvest: 4-8 weeks (baby leaves can be harvested earlier).
• Special Care: Regular picking encourages continuous growth; plant in semi-shade to avoid heat stress on warmer days.

Root Vegetables 🥕

• What to Plant: Carrots, beetroot, radish, turnips, parsnips.
• Ready to Harvest:
  • Radishes: 4-6 weeks
  • Carrots: 10-12 weeks
  • Beetroot: 8-10 weeks
  • Parsnips: 16-20 weeks (leave in the ground until winter for better flavour).
• Special Care: Sow seeds directly into well-drained soil and keep consistently moist during germination.

Brassicas 🥦

• What to Plant: Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts.
• Ready to Harvest:
  • Broccoli & Cauliflower: 10-12 weeks
  • Cabbage: 12-16 weeks
  • Brussels Sprouts: 20+ weeks (best harvested after a cold snap).
• Special Care: Protect young plants from caterpillars with insect mesh; mulch well to retain soil moisture.

Legumes 🌱

• What to Plant: Snow peas, sugar snap peas, broad beans.
• Ready to Harvest:
  • Snow & Sugar Snap Peas: 8-10 weeks
  • Broad Beans: 12-16 weeks
• Special Care: Provide trellising for climbing varieties; pick pods regularly to encourage more growth.

Herbs 🌿

• What to Plant: Coriander, parsley, chives, thyme, rosemary, oregano.
• Ready to Harvest: 4-10 weeks, depending on the herb.
• Special Care: Coriander thrives in cooler temperatures, making autumn the perfect time to grow it without bolting.

Key Autumn Gardening Tasks

1. Soil Preparation & Enrichment 🏡

• Add compost and aged manure to boost soil health.
• Apply slow-release organic fertilizers to support steady growth.
• Test soil pH; most veggies prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6-7).

2. Mulching & Moisture Retention 🍂

• Use straw, bark, or leaf mulch to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and regulate soil temperature.
• Avoid piling mulch too close to plant stems to prevent rot.

3. Pest & Disease Management 🐛

• Use companion planting (e.g., marigolds with brassicas) to deter pests naturally.
• Inspect plants regularly for aphids, caterpillars, and fungal issues. Slugs and snails will reemerge with a vengeance with the increased moist ground, set up traps or bait for these slow slimy suckers and protect your plants.
• Consider organic sprays like neem oil or homemade garlic spray for pest control.

4. Succession Planting 🌾

• Sow small batches of fast-growing crops (e.g., radish, lettuce) every few weeks to ensure a continuous harvest.
• Rotate crops to prevent soil depletion and pest build-up.

5. Extending the Growing Season ☀️

• Use cloches or row covers to protect tender crops from sudden temperature drops.
• Raised beds warm up faster than ground soil, providing better growth conditions for autumn planting.

Happy Planting from PlantHouse! 🌿🌞