The Ultimate Vegetable Planting Calendar for UK Gardeners
Growing your own vegetables brings a fresh, delicious supply of produce right to your kitchen. To make the most of each season, you need to know when to plant different types of vegetables throughout the year. Here’s a month-by-month guide that covers what to plant each month in the UK, including planting tips and growing advice for each vegetable.
Table of what vegetables to plant each month of the year
| Month | Vegetables to plant |
|---|---|
| January | Broad beans, onions (indoors), leeks, early carrots (under cover) |
| February | Onions, shallots, garlic, lettuce, spinach, broad beans (indoors) |
| March | Potatoes, peas, onions, carrots, radishes, broccoli, spinach, lettuce |
| April | Beetroot, carrots, leeks, potatoes, peas, broccoli, lettuce, radishes |
| May | Beans, sweetcorn, cucumbers, courgettes, pumpkins, carrots, radishes |
| June | Brussels sprouts, carrots, parsnips, summer salads, squash |
| July | Cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, beans, peas, beetroot, carrots, kale |
| August | Lettuce, radishes, spinach, turnips, winter salads, cauliflower |
| September | Garlic, onions, spinach, turnips, broad beans (for overwintering) |
| October | Garlic, broad beans, shallots, winter salads (indoors) |
| November | Garlic, broad beans, peas, onions (overwintering varieties) |
| December | Garlic, broad beans, winter salads (indoors) |
January: Kickstart the Season with Indoor Planting
- Broad Beans: Start sowing broad beans indoors or in a greenhouse for an early start. Plant seeds in pots with compost, keeping them in a cool, frost-free environment. Harden off before planting outside in March.
- Onions and Leeks: January is a good time to sow onion seeds indoors. Use seed trays, providing light and keeping soil moist. Once they sprout, thin to prevent overcrowding, and transplant outdoors in early spring.
- Carrots (Under Cover): Sow early carrot varieties in pots or cold frames to give them a jump start. Thin seedlings once they establish to prevent overcrowding, and avoid overwatering to prevent rot.
February: Begin with Hardy Vegetables
- Onions and Shallots: Plant sets (small onion bulbs) in well-drained soil outside, pushing them gently into the soil. Mulch to protect against frost, and water sparingly until they establish roots.
- Garlic: Plant cloves with their tips just beneath the soil’s surface, spacing them about 6 inches apart. Garlic needs sunlight and fertile soil to thrive, so choose a sunny spot for planting.
- Lettuce and Spinach: Start sowing lettuce and spinach seeds indoors in trays or in a cold frame. Ensure they have light and moisture; these leafy greens prefer cool temperatures.
March: Expand Your Vegetable Garden
- Potatoes: Plant early potatoes in well-prepared soil, 12–15 inches apart in rows, with about 4 inches of soil covering them. For a bumper crop, earth up the soil around plants as they grow.
- Peas: Sow peas directly outdoors in well-drained soil. Provide support with pea sticks or netting, and space seeds about 2 inches apart. Water regularly but avoid waterlogging.
- Broccoli and Spinach: Sow seeds directly into beds, thinning seedlings as they grow to give each plant space. Broccoli needs regular watering to prevent heads from drying out.
April: Start to Sow Tender Veg Outdoors
- Beetroot: Sow beetroot seeds in rows directly in the ground, spacing about 4 inches apart. Thin seedlings to one every few inches, and keep soil moist to encourage sweet, tender roots.
- Carrots: Sow carrot seeds in light, sandy soil, spacing seeds about 2 inches apart. Thin the plants as they grow to improve airflow and prevent root deformities.
- Leeks: Sow leeks directly outdoors in rows, and thin seedlings when they reach 4–6 inches. Transplant to final positions in early summer, burying them deeper to blanch the stems.
May: Begin with Warmer-Weather Crops
- Beans (Runner, French): Sow beans directly outdoors after the risk of frost has passed, spacing seeds 6–8 inches apart. Provide support as they grow by using canes or a trellis.
- Sweetcorn: Sweetcorn loves warmth, so sow seeds outdoors in late May. Plant in blocks rather than rows for pollination, spacing each seed about 12 inches apart.
- Courgettes and Pumpkins: Sow seeds in a sunny, sheltered spot. For pumpkins, space plants about 3 feet apart to allow room for sprawling vines.
June: Sow for a Summer and Winter Harvest
- Brussels Sprouts: Start Brussels sprouts outdoors, spacing plants about 2 feet apart. These are slow-growers, so plant early for a winter harvest.
- Carrots and Parsnips: Sow carrots and parsnips directly outdoors in well-drained soil. Thin out seedlings to give each root room to grow, and keep the soil weed-free.
- Summer Salads: Sow salad leaves, such as lettuce and rocket, in small batches for a continuous summer supply. Harvest leaves when young for the best flavor.
July: Prepare for Winter Crops
- Cabbage and Cauliflower: Sow cabbage and cauliflower in July for winter harvesting. Space plants 18 inches apart and protect young seedlings from pests like cabbage white butterflies.
- Beetroot: A final sowing of beetroot in July ensures a late-autumn harvest. Sow seeds thinly and water consistently to prevent the roots from turning woody.
- Kale: Kale is a versatile winter crop. Sow seeds outdoors in well-prepared soil, spacing plants 18 inches apart for ample growth. Water during dry spells.
August: Transition to Cool-Weather Crops
- Lettuce and Spinach: Sow lettuce and spinach for autumn and winter crops. Opt for hardy varieties, and cover young plants with cloches to extend the growing season.
- Turnips: Turnips grow quickly and are best harvested small and tender. Sow directly in the soil, thinning to 4 inches apart for a steady autumn harvest.
- Winter Salads: Try winter lettuce varieties or lamb’s lettuce, sowing directly in beds or containers. Cover with a cloche to protect from frost as the weather cools.
September: Plant for Overwintering
- Garlic: Early autumn is a great time to plant garlic cloves. Place them about 6 inches apart, cover lightly with soil, and mulch to protect against harsh winter conditions.
- Broad Beans: Sow hardy varieties like ‘Aquadulce’ directly outdoors in September. They’ll establish roots over winter and produce an early crop in spring.
- Spinach: Winter spinach varieties can be sown directly into prepared soil. Keep soil moist to encourage growth and cover with fleece if temperatures drop significantly.
October: Last Planting Before Winter
- Shallots: Shallots can be planted in well-drained soil, with the pointed end of each bulb just above ground level. Plant in rows about 6 inches apart, as they’ll grow over winter.
- Winter Salads: Sow varieties like ‘Winter Gem’ in trays or containers in a greenhouse or cold frame. They’ll grow slowly over winter, giving you fresh leaves even in the colder months.
- Broad Beans: A second sowing of broad beans provides some protection against harsh winter conditions, allowing the strongest plants to survive and produce early spring harvests.
November: Focus on Hardy Vegetables
- Garlic: Continue planting garlic cloves in November if you missed September and October. Position them in well-drained soil and mulch for added frost protection.
- Peas (Overwintering Varieties): Plant peas like ‘Meteor’ in well-drained soil, covering with cloches for protection. These will establish roots and grow early in spring.
- Winter Salads (Indoors): For those with a greenhouse, keep winter salads like lamb’s lettuce growing by keeping soil moist and temperatures cool but frost-free.
December: Keep Growing Indoors
- Garlic: December is the last chance to plant garlic for next season’s harvest. Choose a sunny, well-drained spot, and mulch to protect from cold temperatures.
- Broad Beans: Plant broad beans in pots or directly in the ground if the weather is mild. Cover with fleece if frost is expected to protect young plants.
- Winter Salads (Greenhouse): Continue growing winter salads in containers indoors or in a greenhouse for an ongoing supply of fresh greens.
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Tips for a Successful Vegetable Garden
Rotate Crops: Prevent soil exhaustion and reduce pest problems by rotating crops each year.
Compost Regularly: Add compost to your beds before each planting season to enrich the soil.
Water Wisely: Early morning is the best time for watering; avoid wetting leaves to prevent fungal diseases.
Protect Crops: Use netting, cloches, or fleece to keep pests and frost at bay.
With this month-by-month planting calendar, you’re well-prepared to grow a productive vegetable garden year-round. By timing your planting and making small adjustments for the seasons, you’ll enjoy fresh, home-grown produce throughout the year. Happy gardening!
