Growing guides
Straight answers for the veg patch
When to sow it, how far apart, what to do this month. Every date comes from the same researched crop library as the app, so the guides and VegLog always agree.
When to plant
A short row of carrots every three weeks, from March to July
Sow carrots straight into the ground from late March to late July. Sow a short row every three weeks or so for a steady supply, with early varieties in spring and maincrops from May. Carrots don't like being transplanted, so sow them where they'll grow.
Beetroot is easy to sow, as long as you thin it early
Sow beetroot outdoors from late March to early August, a short row every three or four weeks for a steady supply. You can also sow in modules indoors from late February. Roots are ready 50 to 70 days after sowing and keep coming until mid-November.
Broad beans sown in autumn crop weeks before spring sowings
Sow broad beans outdoors from mid-October to late November for the earliest pods in late spring, using a hardy variety such as Aquadulce Claudia. Otherwise sow outdoors from late February to late April, or indoors in February.
Brussels sprouts sown in spring are ready for Christmas
Sow Brussels sprouts from late March to early May, outdoors in a seedbed or in modules, and plant out from April to late June. Early varieties sown in February under cover crop from September; late varieties stand in the garden through Christmas and on into February.
Cucumbers sown in April are cropping by midsummer
Sow cucumbers indoors from late March to late April, one seed per small pot. Plant into a greenhouse from early May, or outside from late May to early June once nights are warm. You can also sow outdoors from early May. Plants crop from late June into October.
Green beans in zone 6 go in once the soil warms in May
In USDA zone 6, sow green beans directly outside from early May to late July, once the soil has warmed. Sow a short row every three weeks for beans from late June until the first frost in mid-October. You can also start them indoors from late March to late April.
Kale sown in early summer feeds you all winter
Sow kale outdoors from April to early August, or indoors from late February to mid-May. Plant out from late March to late August. A sowing in May or June gives leaves from late summer right through winter until March, when fresh greens are hardest to find.
Leeks are sown in spring, planted deep by June and dug all winter
Sow leeks indoors from late January to early March, or outdoors in a seedbed from early March to mid-April. Plant the young leeks into their final spot from early April to late June, once they're about pencil thick.
Lettuce from March to November, and why summer sowings fail
Sow lettuce outdoors from late March to early September, a short row every two to three weeks. Start indoors from late February for the first crop, and again from mid-September for lettuce under cover through the autumn.
October is garlic month in zone 6, with a little leeway into November
In USDA zone 6, plant garlic cloves from mid-September to mid-November, with October the best month. The cloves root before the ground gets cold, sit through winter and form bulbs in spring. Harvest from mid-June to July. Spring planting from February to mid-March works, but gives smaller bulbs.
Onion sets go in from March, or in autumn for an earlier crop
Plant onion sets from early March to mid-April for onions that store well, or from mid-September to mid-October with a hardy overwintering variety for an early summer crop. Shallot sets go in from early October to late November, or February to late March.
Parsnips are slow to come up, so sow them in April
Sow parsnips straight into the ground from late March to mid-May, in a sunny spot with deep, stone-free soil. Use fresh seed every year and expect it to take up to three weeks to come up. Roots are ready from mid-September and taste sweeter after a frost.
Peppers in zone 6 need warm nights more than an early start
In USDA zone 6, start pepper seeds indoors from early February to early March and transplant from early May to early June. Wait for nights to stay above 50 °F, as peppers set back by cold take weeks to recover. Picking runs from mid-July to the first frost in mid-October.
Plant garlic in October and November for bigger bulbs
Plant garlic cloves from early October to late November, while the soil is still warm enough for roots to start. If you miss autumn, plant from early February to mid-March, but expect smaller bulbs.
Plant one shallot set and lift up to twelve next summer
Plant shallot sets from early February to late March, or from early October to late November for an earlier crop on well-drained soil. Each set splits into a cluster of eight to twelve shallots, ready to lift from mid-June to mid-August.
Planting garlic in zone 5 before the ground freezes
In USDA zone 5, plant garlic cloves from mid-September to early November. October is ideal: early enough for roots to grow before the ground freezes, late enough that shoots don't push up far before winter. Harvest the following July.
Planting potatoes in the UK, from first earlies to maincrop
Plant potatoes from mid-March to late April. First earlies go in first, from mid to late March, second earlies in early April, and maincrop in mid to late April. Chit the seed potatoes for a few weeks beforehand.
Potatoes by St. Patrick's Day? In zone 6, the soil decides
In USDA zone 6, plant seed potatoes from mid-March to late April. St. Patrick's Day is a fair start in a mild spring, but wait until the soil is dry enough to crumble. Dig new potatoes from early June and storage potatoes until mid-October.
Pumpkins for Halloween start on a windowsill in April
Sow pumpkins indoors from late March to mid-April and plant out in May once the frosts are over, or sow outside from late April to mid-May under a cloche. Winter squash follow the same timing. Fruit is ready from September and should be cut by the end of October.
Rhubarb crowns planted this winter give stems for years
Plant rhubarb crowns while they're dormant, from mid-October to late November or from late February to late March. Don't pick in the first year, pick lightly in the second, and from then on pull stems from late March to late June. A healthy crown crops for ten years or more.
Runner beans: wait for May, then put the canes up first
Sow runner beans indoors in pots from late March to late April and plant them out from early May to early June, once the risk of frost has passed. Or sow straight into the ground from early May to late June. Pods are ready from early July.
Sow chillies in February, as hot ones need a long season
Sow chilli seeds indoors from late January to early March, with gentle bottom heat. Plants go into a greenhouse or a warm spot outdoors from early May to early June. The hottest varieties need the earliest start to ripen before the autumn.
Sow courgettes in late April and you'll be picking by July
Sow courgettes indoors from late March to late April and plant them out in May, once the risk of frost has passed. Or sow straight into the ground from early May to early June. Plants start cropping about six weeks after planting out and keep going until the first frost.
Sow sweet peas in autumn for the earliest flowers
Sow sweet peas under cover from early October to late November for the strongest plants and the earliest flowers, or indoors from mid-January to mid-March. You can also sow outdoors from early March to mid-April, but they will flower later.
Sowing peas little and often, from March to June
Sow peas outdoors from early March to late June, a few rows at a time every three or four weeks so you have a steady supply. Hardy varieties can also go in from mid-October to late November for the first pods in late spring.
Strawberries planted in late summer give a full crop next summer
Plant strawberries from early August to mid-September for a good crop the following summer, or from early March to mid-April if you miss autumn. Set the crown level with the soil surface, 35 cm apart, in full sun.
Sweetcorn wants warm soil and a block, not a row
Sow sweetcorn indoors from late March to late April and plant out in May after the last frost, or sow outdoors from early May to mid-June. Plant in a block rather than a single row so the cobs pollinate well. They're ready from mid-July.
Tomatoes in zone 5 go out in mid-May, not a day sooner
In USDA zone 5, transplant tomatoes outside from mid-May to mid-June, once the last frost has passed and nights stay above 50 °F. Start seeds indoors from early March to early April, six to eight weeks before that.
When to sow tomato seeds, and when it's warm enough to plant out
Sow tomato seeds indoors from late February to late March. Plants go into an unheated greenhouse from early May and outdoors from late May to early June, once there's no more risk of frost. Sow outdoor tomatoes towards the end of that window.
Why French beans wait for warm soil, and when to sow them
Sow French beans indoors from late March to late April and plant out from early May to early June, after the last frost. Or sow outdoors from early May to early August. Sow a few every month for pods from late June to late October.
Zone 5 potatoes go in from late March, ahead of the last frost
In USDA zone 5, plant seed potatoes from late March to early May, once the soil can be worked and has started to warm. The last frost is around April 30, but the shoots take a few weeks to come up. Dig new potatoes from mid-June and storage potatoes until mid-October.
Zone 7 tomatoes: an April start and a long, hot season
In USDA zone 7, transplant tomatoes from mid-April to mid-May, after the last frost around early April. Start seeds indoors from early February to early March. The season runs to late October, so heat in midsummer is a bigger challenge than frost.
Zucchini in zone 6 go out in May and crop until the October frost
In USDA zone 6, sow zucchini directly outside from early May to early June, or start seeds indoors from late March to late April and plant out in May. Plants start cropping about 50 days from sowing and keep going until the first frost around mid-October.
Month by month
A fall vegetable garden starts in July, not September
Fall crops are planted in mid to late summer, counted back from your first fall frost. In zone 6, with a first frost around mid-October, sow carrots, beets, kale, collards and broccoli in July, turnips and bok choy in August, and spinach, radishes and arugula into September. Plant garlic in October.
March in zone 7: peas in the ground, tomatoes under lights
March in zone 7 is the main month for cool-season crops: sow peas, spinach, lettuce, radishes and carrots outside, and plant onion sets, potatoes, cabbage, broccoli and strawberries. Indoors, start tomatoes early in the month and squash, cucumbers and sweet corn late in it.
Still time in November: what to sow and plant in a UK garden
In November, sow broad beans and hardy peas outdoors, sweet peas under cover, and plant garlic, shallots and rhubarb. It's also the start of the bare-root season for raspberries, currants, gooseberries, blackberries and blueberries.
What to plant in April in zone 6, before and after the last frost
In zone 6, April straddles the last frost around April 21. Sow peas, carrots, beets, lettuce, spinach and radishes outside, and plant potatoes, onions, cabbage, broccoli and strawberries. Indoors, start squash, cucumbers, sweet corn and beans late in the month. Tomatoes and peppers wait until May.
What to sow in October for the first crops of next year
In October, sow broad beans and hardy peas outdoors from mid-month, plant garlic, shallots and the last overwintering onion sets, and sow winter lettuce and sweet peas under cover. It's also the start of planting season for bare-root fruit and rhubarb.
How to grow
Basil hates the cold, so give it warmth, sun and regular pinching
Sow basil indoors from about 6 weeks before your last frost, and plant it out or sow it outside from 2 weeks after the last frost, once nights are warm. Pinch out the tips to keep it bushy, pick regularly, and remove flowers. Plants crop until just before the first autumn frost.
Growing chillies indoors on a sunny windowsill
Chillies are one of the easiest crops to grow indoors. Sow in late winter, about 6 to 12 weeks before your last frost, grow a compact variety in a 2 to 5 litre pot on your sunniest windowsill, and help pollination along with a soft brush. A healthy plant can be kept for several years.
Growing onions from seed, and why day length matters
Sow onion seed indoors 8 to 12 weeks before your last spring frost, or outdoors 2 to 6 weeks before it. Plant seedlings out from about 6 weeks before the last frost. Choose a long-day, intermediate or short-day variety to suit how far you are from the equator, or the bulbs won't form properly.
Growing potatoes in bags, from planting to tipping out
Plant two or three seed potatoes in a 40 litre (10 gallon) bag from about five weeks before your last frost. Cover the shoots with compost as they grow until the bag is full, water often, and tip the bag out about ten weeks later for new potatoes.
How to grow garlic anywhere with a proper winter
Plant garlic cloves in autumn, from about four weeks before to four weeks after your first frost. They need a winter of cold to split into cloves. Bulbs are ready in early to mid-summer, when about half the leaves have turned brown.
Strawberries in pots crop well if you never let them dry out
Plant strawberries in pots in early spring, in the six weeks before your last frost, or in late summer, six to twelve weeks before your first autumn frost. Use one plant per 15 cm pot, or three in a 30 cm pot, in a sunny spot, and water every day in summer.
Planning your plot
Crop rotation for beginners, with a four-bed plan you can reuse
Crop rotation means growing each family of vegetables in a different bed every year, so soil pests and diseases that build up under one family don't get a chance to settle. The usual plan uses four groups: potatoes and tomatoes, legumes, brassicas, and roots with onions.
How to plan a raised bed that crops all year round
Make the bed no wider than 1.2 m so you can reach the middle from either side, put it where it gets at least six hours of sun, and keep tall crops on the north side. Plan in 30 cm squares, and decide what follows each early crop so the bed stays full from spring to winter.
Square foot gardening: how many plants fit in each square
In square foot gardening each 30 cm square holds 1, 4, 9 or 16 plants depending on size: one tomato, cabbage or pepper; four lettuces; nine beetroot or dwarf French beans; sixteen carrots, radishes or onions. Big plants like courgettes and squash take several squares each.
Starting seeds indoors in zone 5, crop by crop
In zone 5, seed starting runs from early February to early May. Onions, leeks, peppers and celery go first in February, tomatoes and broccoli in March, and fast growers like squash, cucumbers and melons in April. Everything is counted back from a last frost around April 30.
Which companion plants actually help, and which pairs to keep apart
A few companion pairings have a clear reason behind them: French marigolds near tomatoes, nasturtiums as a sacrificial crop for brassicas, and sweetcorn, beans and squash grown together. Many others are tradition with little testing, so treat a companion chart as a guide, not a rulebook.
The basics
The last frost in the UK, and why it decides your sowing dates
In lowland England and Wales the average last frost falls around mid to late April. It comes earlier near the south and west coasts and in big cities, and later in northern England, Scotland, on high ground and in frost pockets, where May frosts are common. An average date is a midpoint, not a promise.
The most forgiving vegetables for a first year in a UK garden
The easiest vegetables for a UK garden are radishes, cut-and-come-again salad leaves, beetroot, chard, courgettes, runner and French beans, potatoes, garlic, onion sets and broad beans. They germinate readily, shrug off a missed watering and give you something to eat in the first season.
Plan your garden in an evening
Draw your beds, pick your crops and VegLog sets the dates. Free for your first growing space.
