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What to plant this month in the UK

A month-by-month planting calendar for common UK vegetables. What to sow under cover, sow outdoors, plant out and harvest, right now. UK timings you can adjust for your own patch.

These are general UK timings. A mild corner of Cornwall runs weeks ahead of the Scottish Highlands, so treat this as a starting point and adjust for your own last-frost date, soil and the weather that year. When in doubt, wait for warmth rather than the calendar.

Sow under cover

Nothing needs sowing under cover this month.

Sow outdoors(1)

Broad beansA hardy autumn sowing (Oct to Nov) overwinters for an early crop.

Plant out(2)

Onions (sets)Spring sets planted Mar to Apr; autumn sets (Sep to Oct) overwinter for an earlier crop.
GarlicBest planted in autumn. The cloves need a cold spell to bulk up.

Harvest(14)

TomatoesSow indoors with warmth; only plant out once the last frost has passed (late May in most of the UK).
CarrotsSow direct where they'll grow. Carrots dislike being transplanted.
LettuceSow little and often for a steady supply through summer.
Runner beansFrost-tender. Don't plant out until the risk of frost has gone.
Beetroot
KaleVery hardy. One of the best crops for winter picking.
LeeksStand happily in the ground through winter until you need them.
SpinachSummer sowings can bolt in heat; late-summer sowings crop into autumn.
RadishFast. Ready in as little as four weeks. Sow a short row every couple of weeks.
Squash & pumpkinsFrost-tender and hungry. Give them room and rich soil.
ChardReliable and hardy; picks over a long season.
Spring onions
ParsnipsSlow to germinate; flavour sweetens after the first frosts.
Chillies & peppersNeed a long, warm season. Sow early indoors and grow on under cover for the best crop.

The whole year at a glance

Every crop, every month. I = sow under cover, O = sow outdoors, P = plant out, H = harvest.

Crop	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Tomatoes		I	I	I	P	P	H	H	H	H
Potatoes			P	P		H	H	H	H
Carrots			O	O	O	OH	OH	H	H	H	H
Lettuce		I	IO	OP	OPH	OH	OH	OH	H	H
Broad beans		O	O	O		H	H	H		O	O
Runner beans				I	IOP	OP	H	H	H	H
French beans				I	IOP	OP	H	H	H
Peas			O	O	O	OH	H	H
Onions (sets)			P	P			H	H	P	P
Garlic		P	P			H	H			P	P
Courgettes				I	IOP	OP	H	H	H
Beetroot			O	O	O	OH	OH	H	H	H
Kale	H	H	I	IO	O	P	P			H	H	H
Leeks	H	IH	IO	O		P	P			H	H	H
Spinach			O	O	OH	H	H	O	O	H	H
Radish			O	OH	OH	OH	OH	OH	OH	H
Sweetcorn				I	IOP	P		H	H
Squash & pumpkins				I	IP	P			H	H
Chard				O	O	OH	OH	H	H	H	H
Spring onions			O	O	OH	OH	OH	OH	H	H
Parsnips	H	H	O	O	O					H	H	H
Chillies & peppers	I	I	I		P	P	H	H	H	H

Timings follow standard UK guidance in the style of the RHS grow-your-own calendar. New to growing? Start with the easiest first vegetables for UK beginners or browse the Grow section.