What’s Best to Plant in October in New Zealand?

Spring is in full swing, and if you’ve been waiting for the perfect time to get planting — October is it. The days are longer, the soil is warming up, and everything from herbs to tomatoes wants to get growing.

But before you rush out with a trowel, it helps to think about three simple things:

• What zone you’re in

• What condition is your soil in

• How much time can you realistically give your garden

Let’s dig in.

What Zone Are You In?

New Zealand’s climate is diverse — what thrives in Dunedin might struggle in Kerikeri. We usually break the country into three main growing zones:

• Cool zones (Southland, Otago, inland Canterbury): Shorter growing season. Frosts can linger into November, so wait until the soil truly warms before planting frost-tender crops.

• Temperate zones (Wellington, Taranaki, Nelson, Marlborough): Ideal for most vegetables, herbs, and flowers. You can confidently plant tomatoes, beans, and courgettes from October onwards.

• Warm zones (Auckland northwards): Your growing season starts earlier and lasts longer. You can already be harvesting spring greens while planting summer crops like capsicum and eggplant.

If you’re unsure which zone you’re in, check your local weather patterns, look for the average winter minimum temperatures or check for recent weather means from Niwa here

Soil condition

Healthy soil is the backbone of a good garden. It affects everything — how seeds germinate, how water drains, and how well plants absorb nutrients.

Here’s how to get a quick read on yours:

1. The Hand-Roll Test

Grab a handful of damp soil and squeeze it into a ball. If it:

• Crumbles easily: It’s sandy. Great drainage, but nutrients can leach away quickly.

• Forms a firm ball: It’s clay-heavy. Holds nutrients but can get waterlogged.

• Holds together but breaks apart when tapped: That’s loam — the sweet spot.

2. The Sniff Test

Horticulturalist Kath Irvine swears by this one. Give your soil a good sniff.

• Rich, earthy smell: Perfect — your soil is alive with fungi and bacteria.

• No smell: Lacking organic matter. Add compost or mulch to bring it to life.

• Tangy or sour smell: It’s probably too wet or compacted. Add compost and plant densely so roots can intertwine and airate the soil. 

Building “living soil” takes time, but you can speed it up by layering compost, mulch, and organic matter each month.

How Often Can You Tend to Your Garden?

Your available time matters just as much as your soil type.

• If you’re short on time, plant low-maintenance crops like silverbeet, lettuce, radishes, or potatoes.

• If you love daily tinkering, go for crops like tomatoes, beans, or courgettes that reward regular pruning, staking and watering.

The goal is to grow what fits your lifestyle — not guilt yourself into weeding marathons you’ll regret by Christmas time.

What to Plant in October

Here’s what you can confidently plant this month, depending on your garden type:

 Vegetables

• Tomatoes (start with strong seedlings)
• Courgettes
• Beans (climbing or dwarf)
• Sweetcorn
• Cucumbers
• Pumpkins
• Lettuce and salad greens

 Herbs

• Basil (in warmer zones or indoors)
• Parsley
• Coriander
• Dill
• Chives
• Mint (in a pot if you don’t want it to spread)

Flowers

• Marigolds (great companion plant for tomatoes)
• Alyssum
• Zinnias
• Cosmos
• Sunflowers

These bring pollinators into your garden, which is essential for fruiting plants.

Grow Your Soil With Compost and Mulch

Every time you plant, feed the soil. A thin layer of compost adds nutrients, while mulch helps retain moisture and keep weeds down.

GrowBox delivers living soil, compost, and mulch in one box — perfectly timed for your growing season.

In summary 

Whether you’re growing a few herbs on the balcony or a full vege patch, October is the time to get your hands in the dirt. Focus on your zone, build healthy soil, and plant what suits your lifestyle — and you’ll be harvesting before Christmas.

Need a little help getting started? Try the October GrowBox — everything you need for your patch of dirt, delivered to your door.