The best time to plant tomatoes in New Zealand depends on the region, but generally:
- In warmer northern regions like Northland and Auckland, plant from early September to November.
- In Waikato, Bay of Plenty, and Hawke’s Bay, plant from mid-October to early December.
- In Wellington and the Lower North Island, plant from late October to December.
- In the South Island, plant from mid-October to early January depending on the area, with coastal areas earlier and inland/southern areas later.
Tomatoes need soil temperatures of at least 15°C and no frost risk, so planting is usually after the last frost. Labour Weekend (late October) is often the traditional planting time, but earlier planting is possible in warmer areas with protection. Seedlings are usually available from August onwards, and starting seeds indoors about 6-8 weeks before planting outdoors is recommended for cooler regions. Tomatoes can be planted up until early January, but late plantings may yield fewer fruits or not ripen well as daylight decreases in autumn.
