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Christchurch: frost dates

New Zealand

In Christchurch the last spring frost usually comes around 10 August and the first autumn frost around 5 June, which leaves about 299 frost-free days (median of 2016–2025). Tomato seedlings can go into open ground around 30 October.

Last spring frostaround 10 August
First autumn frostaround 5 June
Frost-free days299 days

Median of 2016–2025 for the 25 km grid cell of the city: the last day at or below 0 °C in spring and the first in autumn (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo). In a cold year a frost can come a week or two later — Greenly warns 48 hours ahead.

When to sow and plant

CropSow for seedlingsPlant out in a greenhouseOpen ground
Achocha6 July15 August5 September
Arugula—29 Junesow 20 July
Basil3 October10 November1 December
Beet—29 Junesow 20 July
Bell Pepper28 August10 November1 December
Black-eyed Susan5 July—5 September
Bok Choy11 July15 August5 September
Broad bean—29 Junesow 20 July
Broccoli—29 Junesow 20 July
Brussels Sprouts15 May29 June20 July
Cabbage—29 Junesow 20 July
Calendula—29 Junesow 20 July
Carrot——sow 20 July
Cauliflower18 May29 June20 July
Celeriac30 May15 August5 September
Celery30 May15 August5 September
Celosia28 August12 October2 November
Chamomile—29 Junesow 20 July
Chayote10 June6 September27 September
Chickpea——sow 20 July
Chili Pepper31 August13 November4 December
China aster19 September10 November1 December
Chives——sow 20 July
Cilantro—29 Junesow 20 July
Corn—6 Septembersow 27 September
Cosmos28 August12 October2 November
Cucumber29 September10 November1 December
Daikon—29 Junesow 20 July
Delphinium22 May—20 July
Dill—29 Junesow 20 July
Eggplant1 September10 November1 December
Florence fennel1 July15 August5 September
Garden sorrel—29 Junesow 20 July
Green Beans31 July6 September27 September
Hyssop——sow 20 July
Kale—29 Junesow 20 July
Kiwano7 September9 October30 October
Kohlrabi—29 Junesow 20 July
Leek20 April29 June20 July
Lemon balm—29 Junesow 20 July
Lettuce—29 Junesow 20 July
Lisianthus3 April29 June20 July
Lovage——sow 20 July
Luffa29 September10 November1 December
Marigold4 July15 August5 September
Melon19 September10 November1 December
Microgreens—12 Octobersow 2 November
Moringa19 September13 November4 December
Mustard greens—29 Junesow 20 July
Napa cabbage13 July15 August5 September
Nasturtium8 July15 August5 September
Okra29 September10 November1 December
Oregano30 April29 June20 July
Pansy4 May29 June20 July
Parsley—29 Junesow 20 July
Parsnip——sow 20 July
Peanut4 October10 November1 December
Peas—29 Junesow 20 July
Petunia8 September10 November1 December
Physalis25 August9 October30 October
Pumpkin2 September9 October30 October
Purple coneflower19 May—20 July
Radish——sow 20 July
Sage11 May29 June20 July
Snapdragon25 April29 June20 July
Spinach—29 Junesow 20 July
Stevia21 August9 October30 October
Stock—29 Junesow 20 July
Sunflower—12 Octobersow 2 November
Sweet Corn—6 Septembersow 27 September
Sweet pea18 May29 June20 July
Sweet William——sow 20 July
Swiss Chard—29 Junesow 20 July
Thyme—29 Junesow 20 July
Tomato13 August9 October30 October
Turnip—29 Junesow 20 July
Watercress—29 Junesow 20 July
Watermelon9 October10 November1 December
Zinnia9 October13 November4 December
Zucchini7 September9 October30 October

Planting out: a week after the last frost once the soil is warm enough for the crop; frost-hardy crops three weeks before it; an unheated greenhouse three weeks earlier. Seedlings are sown so they are ready on that day.

Planted in autumn

CropPlant around
Bearded Iris6 May
Crocus6 May
Daffodil6 May
Garlic6 May
Hyacinth6 May
Lily6 May
Peony6 May
Saffron6 May
Tulip6 May
Wild garlic6 May

A month before the first autumn frost, so the roots grow before winter.

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