When to plant vegetables UK

This site is an aggregation of various sowing and planting dates for vegetables (this page), herbs and flowers. With these indicative dates it’s easy to find out what would be the ideal time to start sowing and/or transplanting your crops. These guidelines are suitable for oceanic climates on the northern hemisphere. Hardiness zone 8 to be exact, which covers most of the U.K.

Vegetable sowing & planting calendar

Legend

1. Leaf and stem crops
2. Tuber and root crops
3. Onion crops
4. Cabbages
5. Legumes
6. Bleached crops
7. Fruit crops

Sowing under glass

Outside seeding / transplanting

Harvest

G = Days: sowing until germination

H = Days: sowing until harvest

in = Minimum distance between plants (Inch)

1. Leaf and stem crops
►Month ▼crops+wiki	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sept	Okt	Nov	Dec	G	H	In
Endive													15	90	12


Artichoke													20	180	30


Cos lettuce													12	90	10


Iceberg lettuce													12	75	16


Cabbage lettuce													12	65	12


Bittercress													14	90	12


Mustard													4	90	6


New Zealand spinach													30	100	16


Indian cress													14	85	20


Purslane													3	28	0


Rhubarb													8	360	20


	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sept	Okt	Nov	Dec	G	H	In
Turnip tops													3	35	3


Lettuce													10	65	12


Chard													10	70	8


Neep													10	100	4


Romaine lettuce													15	45	2


Spinach													10	35	2


Asparagus lettuce													10	60	8


Garden cress													3	12	0,1


Corn salad													15	75	2


Watercress													15	50	8


Winter purslane													3	30	0,2


2. Tuber and root crops
►Month ▼crops+wiki	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sept	Okt	Nov	Dec	G	H	In
Potato													20	120	16


Topinambour													10	300	16


Beetroot													15	85	4


Celeriac													20	260	14


Turnip													15	135	14


Parsnip													15	260	12


Turnip													12	70	4


Radish													10	40	2


©When2Plant.uk	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sept	Okt	Nov	Dec	G	H	In
Black radish													10	90	6


Salsify													15	200	4


Carrot Winter Carrots													15	240	8


Summer Carrots													15	240	8


Hamburg root parsley													10	130	4


Leek Summer harvest													20	170	6


Autumn harvest													20	170	6


Winter harvest													20	170	6


3. Onion crops
►Month ▼crops+wiki	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sept	Okt	Nov	Dec	G	H	In
Tree onions													12	90	6


Scallion													16	100	6


Garlic													20	180	6


Shallot													10	130	4


Welsh onion													20	170	1


Sowing onion													15	220	2


Cutted union 1st yr.													15	220	2


Cutted union 2nd yr.													15	220	2


Winterunions													15	220	2


Pearl onion													15	220	2


4. Cabbages
►Month ▼crops+wiki	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sept	Okt	Nov	Dec	G	H	In
Kale													10	160	30


Cauliflower Early harvest													15	175	24


Summer harvest													15	175	24


Autumn harvest												.	15	175	24


Winter harvest													15	175	24


Broccoli Summer harvest													8	100	20


Winter harvest													8	100	20


Napa cabbage													15	90	12


Romanesco													10	110	24


Kohlrabi													8	85	10


Chinese cabbage													10	90	10


©When2Plant.uk	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sept	Okt	Nov	Dec	G	H	In
Red Cabbage Early harvest													15	160	20


Summer harvest													15	160	20


Autumn harvest													15	160	20


Cabbage Early harvest													15	120	20


Summer harvest													15	120	20


Autumn harvest													15	120	20


Winter harvest													15	120	20


Savoy cabbage Early harvest													15	160	24


Summer harvest													15	160	24


Autumn harvest													15	160	24


Winter harvest													15	160	24


Brussels sprout													15	250	24


5. Legumes
►Month ▼crops+wiki	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sept	Okt	Nov	Dec	G	H	In
Asparagus pea												.	12	120	2


Field Pea													10	70	2


Pea													10	70	2


Snow pea													10	70	2


Runner bean													12	90	2


Haricots verts													14	70	4


©When2Plant.uk	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sept	Okt	Nov	Dec	G	H	In
Snap beans													14	70	4


Green bean													14	70	4


String bean													14	70	4


Pole beans													14	70	4


Pole haricot													14	70	4


Broad bean													14	70	4


6. Bleached crops
►Month ▼crops+wiki	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sept	Okt	Nov	Dec	G	H	In
Celery													15	160	14


Chicory													4	100	12


Radicchio Autumn harvest													4	120	10


Winter harvest													4	120	10


Chicory roots													15	280	4


7. Fruit crops
►Month ▼crops+wiki	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sept	Okt	Nov	Dec	G	H	In
Strawberry													20	170	14


Eggplant													40	90	31


Gherkin													10	90	6


Blue huckleberry												.	45	730	30
												.

Wild strawberry												.	*	*	*
												.

Bramble												.	*	*	*
												.

Zucchini													10	95	39


©When2Plant.uk	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sept	Okt	Nov	Dec	G	H	In
Red raspberry													*	*	*


Cucumber													10	100	6


Maize													15	130	16


Melon													10	150	12


Pumpkin													20	140	39


Black pepper													15	180	18


Sweet corn													15	130	16


Tomatoes													10	130	18


*Vegetative reproduction	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sept	Okt	Nov	Dec	G	H	In

Growing your own vegetables – Tips

Advisable crops for starters
Basil
Beans
Carrots
Garlic
Lettuce
Peas
Tomatoes

Fun crops for kids
Radishes
Parsley
Kale
Potatoes
Sunflowers
Pumpkins
Zucchini
Watermelon

Crops that can grow in partial shade
Beets
Garlic
Kale
Lettuce
Parsley
Parsnip
Radish
Peas
Rhubarb
Rucola
Spinach

Companion planting
Practice companion planting to enhance pest control and encourage healthier growth. For example, planting basil with tomatoes can help deter certain pests.

Crop rotation
Practice crop rotation to prevent soil-borne diseases and maintain soil fertility. Avoid planting the same family of vegetables in the same location year after year.

Mulching
Apply mulch around your vegetables to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Organic mulches like straw or compost are excellent choices.

Feeding and fertilizing
Provide nutrients to your vegetables through organic or balanced fertilizers. Test your soil and/or follow recommended application rates to avoid over-fertilization, which can harm plants.

Protect against pests
Regularly inspect your plants for signs of pests and diseases. Introduce natural predators, use companion plants, or employ organic pest control methods when necessary.

Benefits of home grown vegetables

Nutritional quality
Growing your own vegetables allows you to harvest produce at its peak ripeness. This freshness ensures higher nutritional content, as vegetables start losing nutrients once harvested. Having access to freshly picked, home-grown vegetables contributes to a more nutrient-rich and flavorful diet.

Cost savings
Producing your vegetables can lead to significant cost savings over time. While initial investments may include seeds, soil, and gardening tools, the ongoing expense of purchasing vegetables is reduced.

Environmental impact
Cultivating your vegetables at home minimizes your carbon footprint. It reduces the need for transportation, packaging, and energy consumption associated with commercial agriculture. Additionally, home gardens provide opportunities for composting and other sustainable practices, promoting eco-friendly living.

Variety and uncommon cultivars
Growing your own vegetables allows you to experiment with a wide variety of crops, including unique and less common cultivars that might not be readily available in grocery stores. This diversity enhances the culinary experience and introduces you to new flavors and textures.

Control over growing practices
By cultivating your vegetables, you have control over the growing conditions and can opt for organic or pesticide-free methods. This ensures that your produce is free from harmful chemicals, providing a healthier and safer option for consumption.

Educational value
Vegetable gardening offers an educational experience for individuals and families. It teaches valuable skills such as planning, nurturing, and problem-solving. Children, in particular, can benefit from learning about the natural world, plant life cycles, and sustainable food practices.

Physical exercise and stress reduction
Engaging in gardening activities provides a source of physical exercise. Digging, planting, weeding, and harvesting contribute to a more active lifestyle. Additionally, spending time in a garden environment is known to reduce stress levels and promote mental well-being.

Seasonal eating
Growing your vegetables encourages a connection with seasonal eating. It aligns your diet with the natural cycles of the environment, fostering an appreciation for the diverse array of vegetables available throughout the year and promoting a healthier, balanced diet.

Satisfaction and enjoyment
Witnessing the entire growth process, from seed to harvest, brings a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Enjoying meals prepared with home-grown vegetables adds a unique, personal touch to your culinary experiences.

Vegetable seeds

Simply Garden Cress Curled Seeds Vegetable Herb Sprouting Grow Your Own Garden

£2.99

(7928)

(as of October 14, 2024 20:51 GMT +00:00 - )

Grow your own vegetables Cress is quick and easy to grow Great for kids Planting guidance provided on each packet

When to plant vegetables UK

Vegetable sowing & planting calendar

Legend

Growing your own vegetables – Tips

Benefits of home grown vegetables

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