UK sowing calendar
When to sow vegetables in the UK
Browse by month
Browse by crop
| Crop | Under cover | Outdoors | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asparagus | n/a | Mar-Apr (plant crowns) | mid-Apr-mid-Jun |
| Aubergine🫙 | Jan-Mar | Greenhouse-only in most of the UK; plant out late May in the mildest spots | Jul-Oct |
| Basil | Feb-Apr | Plant out/sow outdoors late May-Jun | Jun-Sep |
| Beetroot | Feb-Mar (modules, optional) | Mar-Jul | Jun-Oct |
| Broad beans | Feb-Mar (in pots) | Autumn Oct-Nov or spring Feb-Apr | Jun-Aug (autumn-sown from May) |
| Broccoli | Mar-Apr | Apr-Jun | Jul-Oct |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb-Apr | Mar-Apr sow / May-Jun plant out | Oct-Mar |
| Cabbage | Feb-Apr (summer types) | Mar-May; Jul-Aug (spring types) | All year (by type) |
| Cantaloupe melon🫙 | mid-Apr-mid-May | Plant out late May-Jun | late Jul-Sep |
| Carrots | n/a | Feb-Jul | May-Nov (stored/left in ground over winter) |
| Cauliflower | Mar-Apr | Apr-May; Aug-Sep (winter types) | Aug-Jan |
| Celery | Mar-Apr | May-Jun (plant out) | Aug-Oct |
| Chives | Jan-Apr | Mar-Jun | late spring-autumn (from mid-summer in year 1) |
| Collard greens | Feb-Mar | Apr-Aug | Aug-Mar |
| Coriander | n/a | Mar-Sep | May-Nov |
| Courgettes | Apr-May | Direct sow late May-Jun | Jul-Oct |
| Cucumbers | Feb-Apr | Direct sow/plant out ridge types late May-Jun | Jul-Oct |
| Dill | n/a | Apr-Jul | Jun-Oct |
| Edamame🫙 | Apr-May | May-Jun | Aug-Sep (into Oct) |
| French beans | Apr-May | Late May-Jun | Jul-Oct |
| Garlic | n/a (plant cloves; module-start possible on cold/wet sites) | Autumn Oct-Dec (best) or spring Feb-Mar | Jun-Jul (spring-planted Jul-Sep) |
| Kale | Mar-May | Mar-Jun | Sep-May |
| Kohlrabi | Feb-Mar | Apr-Aug | Jun-Dec |
| Leeks | Feb-Mar (windowsill/greenhouse) | Mar-Jun (in a seedbed) | Oct-Apr (early types from Sep) |
| Lettuce | Feb-Apr | Mar-Sep | May-Nov |
| Okra🫙 | Mar-Apr | n/a (greenhouse only) | Jul-Oct |
| Onions | Jan-Feb (from seed, in modules at 10-16C) | Sets Mar-Apr (overwintering sets Sep-Oct); seed direct Feb-Apr | Jul-Oct (autumn-planted sets Jun-Jul) |
| Oregano | Mar-May | Plant out late May-Jun | Jun-Oct |
| Parsley | Jan-Apr | Apr-Aug | Jun onwards (can overwinter) |
| Parsnips | n/a | Feb-May | Oct-Feb |
| Peas | Feb-Mar (also autumn under cover) | Mar-Jun (hardy types Oct-Nov) | Jun-Oct (autumn-sown from May) |
| Peppers and chillies | Jan-Apr | Plant out late May-Jun | Jul-Oct |
| Potatoes | Jan-Mar (chit tubers frost-free) | Mar-May | Jun-Oct |
| Pumpkins | Apr | late May-Jun | Sep-Oct |
| Radishes | n/a | Feb-Sep | Apr-Nov (winter types stored into winter) |
| Rhubarb | n/a | Nov-Mar (plant crowns) | Mar/Apr-Jun |
| Rocket | Feb-Mar | Mar-Sep | May-Oct |
| Rosemary | Mar-May | Plant out late May-Jul | all year (best late spring-summer) |
| Runner beans | mid-Apr-May | Late May-Jun | Jul-Oct |
| Sage | Feb-Apr | Plant out May-Jun | light in year 1, then all year |
| Spinach | n/a (best sown direct) | Feb-May; Aug-Sep (winter types) | May-Apr |
| Summer squash | Apr-May | Direct sow late May-Jun | Jul-Oct |
| Sweet potatoes🫙 | Apr-May (root/grow on slips indoors) | late May-Jun (after last frost) | Sep-Oct (before first frost) |
| Sweetcorn | Apr-May | Direct sow late May-Jun | Aug-Oct |
| Swiss chard | Mar-Apr (modules, optional) | Mar-Jul | Jun-Mar |
| Thyme | Mar-May | Plant out late May-Jun | all year (best late spring-summer) |
| Tomatoes | Feb-Apr | Plant out late May-Jun | Jul-Oct |
| Turnips | n/a | Feb-Aug | May-Oct+ |
| Watermelon🫙 | mid-Apr-mid-May | n/a (greenhouse only) | late Jul-early autumn |
| Winter squash | mid-Apr-early May | late May-Jun | Sep-Oct |
🫙 = tender/greenhouse-preferred in most of the UK. Timing aligned with RHS grow-your-own guidance; adjust a week or two later for northern and exposed gardens.
Sowing is half the calendar — see also when to prune in the UK, including the bird-nesting law that limits hedge cutting from March to August.