Strategic planting of certain varieties in your home orchard will allow early Summer harvesting. Loquats have a very short season in late November to early December. These tropically looking trees are actually hardy to -9 degrees, so can be planted in most regions of NZ.  Early blueberry varieties like Marimba and Misty start ripening now – keep blueberry bushes well covered with nets to get the berries before the birds do.

Early cherry varieties Rainier (pictured below) and Dawson and plums like Billington, Duffs Early Jewel and Wilson's Early are ready to picking in December. 

For summer harvesting, plant Encore mandarins, Harwoods Late Valencia oranges and Mexican Key limes.