Seed Sowing Month by Month UK Guide
Written by Matt W on 19th Nov 2024.
Seed Sowing Month by Month Guide UK: Your Ultimate Planting Calendar
Welcome to our comprehensive seed sowing guide for UK gardeners! As an avid gardener, I know how crucial it is to have a reliable monthly planting schedule. This guide will walk you through the best times to sow vegetable seeds, flower seeds, and more, helping you make the most of your garden all year round.
Whether you're working with a small patch or have the best selection of greenhouses in the UK, this seed sowing guide will help you plan your gardening year effectively. Let's get started!
January: A Fresh Start
January might seem quiet, but it's a great time to get a head start. In your greenhouse or on a warm windowsill, you can start sowing chillies, microgreens, and even some early potatoes. For flowers, sweet peas and snapdragons are perfect to begin now. Don't forget to sow some "Glaskin's Perpetual" rhubarb for a tasty treat later in the year.
February: Preparing for Spring
As we edge closer to spring, February offers more opportunities. It's time to start tomatoes, peppers, and aubergines indoors. If you have a mini greenhouse, you can also sow broad beans and peas. For flowers, get a jump on summer blooms by starting geraniums and chrysanthemums indoors.
March: Spring Has Sprung
March is when things really pick up. You can now sow a wide variety of vegetables outdoors, including carrots, parsnips, and beetroot. It's also time to plant your first early potatoes. For flowers, sow hardy annuals like cosmos and cornflowers directly in the garden. March is a busy month, so make sure you have your planting calendar ready!
April: Full Steam Ahead
April is one of the busiest months in the gardening calendar. You can now sow most vegetables directly outdoors, including peas, carrots, and beetroot. It's also time to plant your maincrop potatoes. For flowers, sow sunflowers and nasturtiums for a vibrant summer display. If you grow using a raised bed in your greenhouse, you can get a head start on tender crops like courgettes and squash.
May: The Garden Comes Alive
May is when the garden really comes to life. You can now sow tender vegetables like sweetcorn and cucumbers directly outdoors. It's also a great time to sow biennials like foxgloves for next year's display. Keep up with succession sowing of salad crops for a continuous harvest. May is a wonderful month in the garden, with something new sprouting every day!
June: Summer Sowing
June is all about keeping the momentum going. Continue succession sowing of salad crops and quick-growing vegetables like radishes and baby carrots. It's also time to sow biennials and perennials for next year's flowers. Don't forget to keep everything well-watered in the summer heat. June is when we start to reap the rewards of our earlier sowings!
July: Planning Ahead
While we're enjoying summer, July is the time to start thinking about autumn and winter crops. Sow kale, winter cabbage, and other brassicas for harvests later in the year. It's also your last chance to sow many summer crops. For flowers, sow wallflowers and sweet Williams for spring blooms. July is about balancing current harvests with future planning.
August: Late Summer Sowing
August is your last chance for many summer sowings. Continue succession sowing of salad crops and start sowing winter vegetables like spinach and winter lettuce. For flowers, it's time to sow hardy annuals for early blooms next year. August is also a great time to reflect on what's worked well this year and start planning for next season.
September: Autumn Beginnings
September marks the start of autumn sowing. It's time to sow green manures to improve your soil for next year. You can also sow hardy annuals like cornflowers and poppies for early flowers next spring. In the vegetable garden, sow winter salads and spring cabbages. September is a month of transition in the garden.
October: Winding Down
As we move into autumn proper, October is mostly about planting for next year. Sow broad beans and peas for an early crop next spring. It's also the perfect time to plant garlic. In the flower garden, sow sweet peas in a cold frame for strong plants next year. October is about looking ahead to next season's garden.
November: Winter Preparations
November might seem quiet, but there's still plenty to do. Plant overwintering onion sets and shallots. You can also sow broad beans for an early crop next year. In the greenhouse, sow winter salads for fresh greens through the colder months. November is about getting ready for winter while planning for spring.
December: Winter Sowing
Even in the depths of winter, there's still some sowing to be done. December is traditionally when we plant garlic. You can also sow winter salads in the greenhouse or on a bright windowsill. For flowers, sow sweet peas in pots for planting out in spring. December might be cold, but it's the start of next year's growing season!
Seasonal Sowing Guide
To help you plan your year, here's a seasonal overview of what to sow when:
| Month | Vegetables | Fruits | Flowers | Sowing Depth (cm) | Spacing (cm) | Common Pests/Diseases | Gardening Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Chillies, microgreens, potatoes (indoors) | Rhubarb (crowns) | Sweet peas, snapdragons (indoors) | 1.0 | 30 | Aphids, damping off | Use a heated propagator for better germination |
| February | Aubergines, tomatoes, peppers (indoors) | Apple trees, pear trees (bare root) | Hardy perennials, chrysanthemums | 1.5 | 40 | Blight, whitefly | Ensure good ventilation to prevent damping off |
| March | Carrots, parsnips, beetroot, broad beans | Strawberries | Dahlias, cosmos, marigolds | 2.0 | 20 | Flea beetles, carrot fly | Use fleece or cloches to protect early sowings |
| April | Peas, carrots, beetroot, lettuce, radishes | Strawberries, melons (under cover) | Sunflowers, nasturtiums, zinnias | 2.0 | 30 | Pea weevil, slugs | Start hardening off plants sown indoors |
| May | Sweetcorn, cucumbers, courgettes, pumpkins | Strawberries, outdoor melons | Zinnias, foxgloves, petunias | 2.5 | 60 | Crown rot, powdery mildew | Plant out tender vegetables after last frost |
| June | Radishes, lettuce, spring onions, French beans | Strawberries (harvest) | Biennials (foxgloves, wallflowers) | 1.0 | 25 | Mildew, blackfly | Keep on top of weeding and watering |
| July | Kale, winter cabbage, carrots, spring onions | Strawberries (runners) | Wallflowers, sweet Williams, forget-me-nots | 0.5 | 45 | Aphids, cabbage white butterflies | Net brassicas to protect from pests |
| August | Winter salads, spinach, chard, turnips | Strawberries (remove runners) | Hardy annuals for spring | 1.0 | 15 | Slugs, caterpillars | Keep harvesting to encourage more growth |
| September | Winter salads, spring cabbages, onion sets | Strawberries (new plants) | Cornflowers, poppies, spring bulbs | 1.0 | 20 | Rust, mildew | Start clearing summer crops |
| October | Broad beans, garlic, overwintering peas | Apple trees, pear trees (bare root) | Sweet peas, crepis rubra, spring bulbs | 5.0 | 25 | Mice, birds | Protect crops from early frosts |
| November | Onions, shallots, garlic | Apple trees, pear trees (bare root) | Laurentia, delphinium, hardy annuals | 2.0 | 25 | Whitefly, neck rot | Mulch around fruit trees and bushes |
| December | Winter salads (indoors), microgreens | Rhubarb (force existing crowns) | Sweet peas, antirrhinums (indoors) | 2.0 | 15 | Botrytis, damping off | Plan next year's crop rotation |
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature do seeds need to germinate in the UK?
Most seeds germinate best at temperatures between 18-22°C (64-72°F). However, this can vary depending on the specific plant. Some cool-season crops like lettuce and peas can germinate at lower temperatures, while warm-season crops like tomatoes and peppers prefer higher temperatures.
Do seeds need sunlight or warmth to germinate?
Most seeds need warmth to germinate, but not necessarily sunlight. In fact, many seeds germinate better in darkness. Once the seedlings emerge, they typically need light to grow properly. However, some seeds, like lettuce, do require light for germination.
When can seedlings go outside UK?
In the UK, seedlings can usually be moved outside after the last frost date, which varies by region but is typically between late April and early May. However, it's crucial to "harden off" seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days before planting them out permanently.
What temperature is too low for seed germination?
For most seeds, temperatures below 10°C (50°F) are too low for effective germination. Some cold-hardy plants can germinate at lower temperatures, but germination will be slower. Many warm-season crops won't germinate at all if soil temperatures are below 15°C (59°F).
When can I sow seeds in unheated greenhouse UK?
You can start sowing seeds in an unheated greenhouse in the UK from late February or early March, depending on your location and the specific crops. Hardy plants like lettuce, spinach, and some brassicas can be sown earlier, while tender plants should wait until later in spring when temperatures are more consistently above 10°C (50°F).
Top Tips for Successful Seed Sowing
Here are my top tips for successful seed sowing:
- Always use fresh, good quality compost
- Sow seeds at the right depth - usually twice their diameter
- Keep seeds moist but not waterlogged
- Provide adequate light once seeds have germinated
- Thin out seedlings to prevent overcrowding
- Harden off indoor-grown seedlings before planting out
Conclusion
I hope this seed sowing guide has given you a clear roadmap for your gardening year. Remember, gardening is all about experimentation and learning, so don't be afraid to try new things. Happy sowing, and may your garden be bountiful!
This seed sowing guide is just the beginning of your gardening journey. With careful planning and a bit of patience, you'll be amazed at what you can grow. Happy gardening!
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