Northern Ireland, UK

Planting calendar for Ballymena

Last frost around 16 March, first frost around 10 December: about 269 frost-free days.

Last frost: 16 March
First frost: 10 December
Frost-free days: 269

Sow now: November

See the whole year

Outdoors

Broad bean
Garlic
Raspberry
Rhubarb

Under cover

Nothing this month.

The year at a glance

When each crop can be sown in Ballymena. Tap a crop for exact dates and when it’s ready to harvest.

Sow outdoorsSow under cover (a greenhouse or polytunnel)

When to sow each crop in Ballymena, month by month. Each month says whether you can sow outdoors, under cover, or both.
Crop	JJan	FFeb	MMar	AApr	MMay	JJun	JJul	AAug	SSep	OOct	NNov	DDec
Fruiting
TomatoUnder cover only	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Sow under cover	June: Sow under cover	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
ChilliUnder cover only	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Sow under cover	June: Sow under cover	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Sweet pepperUnder cover only	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Sow under cover	June: Sow under cover	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
AubergineUnder cover only	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Sow under cover	June: Sow under cover	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Courgette	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Sow under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Cucumber	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Sow under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
SquashUnder cover only	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Sow under cover	June: Sow under cover	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Sweetcorn	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Sow under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow under cover	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Roots
Carrot	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Sow under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Beetroot	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Sow under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Parsnip	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow under cover	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Radish	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow under cover	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Potato	January: Not this month	February: Plant under cover	March: Plant outdoors and under cover	April: Plant outdoors and under cover	May: Plant outdoors and under cover	June: Plant under cover	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Turnip	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Leaves
Lettuce	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Spinach	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow under cover	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Swiss chard	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Sow under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Rocket	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow under cover	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Celery	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Beans and peas
Runner bean	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Sow under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow under cover	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
French bean	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Sow under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Broad bean	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Sow under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow outdoors and under cover	November: Sow outdoors and under cover	December: Sow under cover
Pea	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Onion family
Onion	January: Not this month	February: Plant under cover	March: Plant outdoors and under cover	April: Plant outdoors and under cover	May: Plant outdoors and under cover	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Garlic	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Plant under cover	September: Plant outdoors and under cover	October: Plant outdoors and under cover	November: Plant outdoors and under cover	December: Plant under cover
Leek	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Spring onion	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow under cover	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Shallot	January: Plant under cover	February: Plant outdoors and under cover	March: Plant outdoors and under cover	April: Plant outdoors and under cover	May: Plant outdoors and under cover	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Brassicas
Cabbage	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Broccoli	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Sow under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Cauliflower	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Brussels sprout	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow under cover	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Kale	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Sow under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Pak choi	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Sow under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow under cover	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Herbs
Basil	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Sow under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Parsley	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow under cover	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Coriander	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Sow under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow under cover	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Chives	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow under cover	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Mint	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Sow under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow under cover	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Fruit
Strawberry	January: Not this month	February: Plant under cover	March: Plant outdoors and under cover	April: Plant outdoors and under cover	May: Plant outdoors and under cover	June: Plant under cover	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Raspberry	January: Plant outdoors and under cover	February: Plant under cover	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Plant under cover	November: Plant outdoors and under cover	December: Plant outdoors and under cover
Rhubarb	January: Plant under cover	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Plant under cover	October: Plant outdoors and under cover	November: Plant outdoors and under cover	December: Plant outdoors and under cover

Fruit rows show when to plant, not sow.

Crop by crop

Fruiting

TomatoUnder cover 11 May to 10 Jun

Sow outdoors: Not here: season too short
Under cover: 11 May to 10 Jun
First harvest: About 83 days after sowing. Sown on 11 May, ready around 2 August.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Tomato across the UK, town by town

ChilliUnder cover 10 May to 10 Jun

Sow outdoors: Not here: season too short
Under cover: 10 May to 10 Jun
First harvest: About 86 days after sowing. Sown on 10 May, ready around 4 August.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Chilli across the UK, town by town

Sweet pepperUnder cover 16 May to 16 Jun

Sow outdoors: Not here: season too short
Under cover: 16 May to 16 Jun
First harvest: About 80 days after sowing. Sown on 16 May, ready around 4 August.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Sweet pepper across the UK, town by town

AubergineUnder cover 16 May to 10 Jun

Sow outdoors: Not here: season too short
Under cover: 16 May to 10 Jun
First harvest: About 90 days after sowing. Sown on 16 May, ready around 14 August.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Aubergine across the UK, town by town

CourgetteOutdoors 2 Jun to 20 Jul; Under cover 5 May to 17 Aug

Sow outdoors: 2 Jun to 20 Jul
Under cover: 5 May to 17 Aug
First harvest: About 70 days after sowing. Sown on 2 June, ready around 11 August.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Courgette across the UK, town by town

CucumberOutdoors 2 Jun to 11 Jul; Under cover 5 May to 8 Aug

Sow outdoors: 2 Jun to 11 Jul
Under cover: 5 May to 8 Aug
First harvest: About 83 days after sowing. Sown on 2 June, ready around 24 August.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Cucumber across the UK, town by town

SquashUnder cover 10 May to 16 Jun

Sow outdoors: Not here: season too short
Under cover: 10 May to 16 Jun
First harvest: About 84 days after sowing. Sown on 10 May, ready around 2 August.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Squash across the UK, town by town

SweetcornOutdoors 27 May to 12 Jun; Under cover 29 Apr to 15 May, and 27 May to 12 Jun, and 24 Jun to 10 Jul

Sow outdoors: 27 May to 12 Jun
Under cover: 29 Apr to 15 May, and 27 May to 12 Jun, and 24 Jun to 10 Jul
First harvest: About 160 days after sowing. Sown on 27 May, ready around 3 November.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.

Sweetcorn across the UK, town by town

Roots

CarrotOutdoors 5 Apr to 2 Aug; Under cover 8 Mar to 30 Aug

Sow outdoors: 5 Apr to 2 Aug
Under cover: 8 Mar to 30 Aug
First harvest: About 110 days after sowing. Sown on 5 April, ready around 24 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Carrot across the UK, town by town

BeetrootOutdoors 5 Apr to 2 Aug; Under cover 8 Mar to 30 Aug

Sow outdoors: 5 Apr to 2 Aug
Under cover: 8 Mar to 30 Aug
First harvest: About 76 days after sowing. Sown on 5 April, ready around 20 June.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Beetroot across the UK, town by town

ParsnipOutdoors 16 Mar to 17 Jun; Under cover 16 Feb to 15 Jul

Sow outdoors: 16 Mar to 17 Jun
Under cover: 16 Feb to 15 Jul
First harvest: About 146 days after sowing. Sown on 16 March, ready around 9 August.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Parsnip across the UK, town by town

RadishOutdoors 16 Mar to 11 Sep; Under cover 16 Feb to 9 Oct

Sow outdoors: 16 Mar to 11 Sep
Under cover: 16 Feb to 9 Oct
First harvest: About 31 days after sowing. Sown on 16 March, ready around 16 April.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Radish across the UK, town by town

PotatoOutdoors 16 Mar to 21 May; Under cover 16 Feb to 18 Jun

Plant outdoors: 16 Mar to 21 May
Under cover: 16 Feb to 18 Jun
First harvest: About 112 days after planting. Planted on 16 March, ready around 6 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Potato across the UK, town by town

TurnipOutdoors 16 Mar to 8 Aug; Under cover 16 Feb to 5 Sep

Sow outdoors: 16 Mar to 8 Aug
Under cover: 16 Feb to 5 Sep
First harvest: About 67 days after sowing. Sown on 16 March, ready around 22 May.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Turnip across the UK, town by town

Leaves

LettuceOutdoors 22 Mar to 3 Aug; Under cover 22 Feb to 31 Aug

Sow outdoors: 22 Mar to 3 Aug
Under cover: 22 Feb to 31 Aug
First harvest: About 77 days after sowing. Sown on 22 March, ready around 7 June.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Lettuce across the UK, town by town

SpinachOutdoors 16 Mar to 14 Sep; Under cover 16 Feb to 12 Oct

Sow outdoors: 16 Mar to 14 Sep
Under cover: 16 Feb to 12 Oct
First harvest: About 51 days after sowing. Sown on 16 March, ready around 6 May.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Spinach across the UK, town by town

Swiss chardOutdoors 5 Apr to 8 Aug; Under cover 8 Mar to 5 Sep

Sow outdoors: 5 Apr to 8 Aug
Under cover: 8 Mar to 5 Sep
First harvest: About 65 days after sowing. Sown on 5 April, ready around 9 June.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Swiss chard across the UK, town by town

RocketOutdoors 16 Mar to 13 Sep; Under cover 16 Feb to 11 Oct

Sow outdoors: 16 Mar to 13 Sep
Under cover: 16 Feb to 11 Oct
First harvest: About 45 days after sowing. Sown on 16 March, ready around 30 April.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Rocket across the UK, town by town

CeleryOutdoors 25 Feb to 9 May; Under cover 28 Jan to 6 Jun

Sow outdoors: 25 Feb to 9 May
Under cover: 28 Jan to 6 Jun
First harvest: About 149 days after sowing. Sown on 25 February, ready around 24 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.

Celery across the UK, town by town

Beans and peas

Runner beanOutdoors 27 May to 25 Jun; Under cover 29 Apr to 23 Jul

Sow outdoors: 27 May to 25 Jun
Under cover: 29 Apr to 23 Jul
First harvest: About 114 days after sowing. Sown on 27 May, ready around 18 September.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.

Runner bean across the UK, town by town

French beanOutdoors 27 May to 16 Jul; Under cover 29 Apr to 13 Aug

Sow outdoors: 27 May to 16 Jul
Under cover: 29 Apr to 13 Aug
First harvest: About 82 days after sowing. Sown on 27 May, ready around 17 August.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.

French bean across the UK, town by town

Broad beanOutdoors 21 Sep to 22 Nov; Under cover 24 Aug to 20 Dec

Sow outdoors: 21 Sep to 22 Nov
Under cover: 24 Aug to 20 Dec
First harvest: About 220 days after sowing. Sown on 21 September, ready around 29 April.
Warmth: Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.

Broad bean across the UK, town by town

PeaOutdoors 16 Mar to 13 Jul; Under cover 16 Feb to 10 Aug

Sow outdoors: 16 Mar to 13 Jul
Under cover: 16 Feb to 10 Aug
First harvest: About 90 days after sowing. Sown on 16 March, ready around 14 June.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Pea across the UK, town by town

Onion family

OnionOutdoors 9 Mar to 9 May; Under cover 9 Feb to 6 Jun

Plant outdoors: 9 Mar to 9 May
Under cover: 9 Feb to 6 Jun
First harvest: About 158 days after planting. Planted on 9 March, ready around 14 August.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Onion across the UK, town by town

GarlicOutdoors 21 Sep to 5 Dec; Under cover 24 Aug to 2 Jan

Plant outdoors: 21 Sep to 5 Dec
Under cover: 24 Aug to 2 Jan
First harvest: About 250 days after planting. Planted on 21 September, ready around 29 May.
Warmth: Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.

Garlic across the UK, town by town

LeekOutdoors 16 Mar to 29 Jul; Under cover 16 Feb to 26 Aug

Sow outdoors: 16 Mar to 29 Jul
Under cover: 16 Feb to 26 Aug
First harvest: About 170 days after sowing. Sown on 16 March, ready around 2 September.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Leek across the UK, town by town

Spring onionOutdoors 25 Feb to 30 Aug; Under cover 28 Jan to 27 Sep

Sow outdoors: 25 Feb to 30 Aug
Under cover: 28 Jan to 27 Sep
First harvest: About 81 days after sowing. Sown on 25 February, ready around 17 May.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.

Spring onion across the UK, town by town

ShallotOutdoors 31 Jan to 9 May; Under cover 3 Jan to 6 Jun

Plant outdoors: 31 Jan to 9 May
Under cover: 3 Jan to 6 Jun
First harvest: About 161 days after planting. Planted on 31 January, ready around 11 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.

Shallot across the UK, town by town

Brassicas

CabbageOutdoors 16 Mar to 2 Aug; Under cover 16 Feb to 30 Aug

Sow outdoors: 16 Mar to 2 Aug
Under cover: 16 Feb to 30 Aug
First harvest: About 123 days after sowing. Sown on 16 March, ready around 17 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Cabbage across the UK, town by town

BroccoliOutdoors 5 Apr to 2 Aug; Under cover 8 Mar to 30 Aug

Sow outdoors: 5 Apr to 2 Aug
Under cover: 8 Mar to 30 Aug
First harvest: About 98 days after sowing. Sown on 5 April, ready around 12 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Broccoli across the UK, town by town

CauliflowerOutdoors 16 Mar to 13 Jul; Under cover 16 Feb to 10 Aug

Sow outdoors: 16 Mar to 13 Jul
Under cover: 16 Feb to 10 Aug
First harvest: About 135 days after sowing. Sown on 16 March, ready around 29 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Cauliflower across the UK, town by town

Brussels sproutOutdoors 16 Mar to 27 May; Under cover 16 Feb to 24 Jun

Sow outdoors: 16 Mar to 27 May
Under cover: 16 Feb to 24 Jun
First harvest: About 209 days after sowing. Sown on 16 March, ready around 11 October.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Brussels sprout across the UK, town by town

KaleOutdoors 5 Apr to 2 Aug; Under cover 8 Mar to 30 Aug

Sow outdoors: 5 Apr to 2 Aug
Under cover: 8 Mar to 30 Aug
First harvest: About 87 days after sowing. Sown on 5 April, ready around 1 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Kale across the UK, town by town

Pak choiOutdoors 21 Apr to 26 Aug; Under cover 24 Mar to 23 Sep

Sow outdoors: 21 Apr to 26 Aug
Under cover: 24 Mar to 23 Sep
First harvest: About 48 days after sowing. Sown on 21 April, ready around 8 June.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 8°C; bolts in hot weather.

Pak choi across the UK, town by town

Herbs

BasilOutdoors 21 Apr to 23 Jul; Under cover 24 Mar to 20 Aug

Sow outdoors: 21 Apr to 23 Jul
Under cover: 24 Mar to 20 Aug
First harvest: About 69 days after sowing. Sown on 21 April, ready around 29 June.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 8°C or more, and no frost.

Basil across the UK, town by town

ParsleyOutdoors 16 Mar to 11 Aug; Under cover 16 Feb to 8 Sep

Sow outdoors: 16 Mar to 11 Aug
Under cover: 16 Feb to 8 Sep
First harvest: About 84 days after sowing. Sown on 16 March, ready around 8 June.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Parsley across the UK, town by town

CorianderOutdoors 5 Apr to 27 Aug; Under cover 8 Mar to 24 Sep

Sow outdoors: 5 Apr to 27 Aug
Under cover: 8 Mar to 24 Sep
First harvest: About 54 days after sowing. Sown on 5 April, ready around 29 May.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C; bolts in hot weather.

Coriander across the UK, town by town

ChivesOutdoors 16 Mar to 17 Jun; Under cover 16 Feb to 15 Jul

Sow outdoors: 16 Mar to 17 Jun
Under cover: 16 Feb to 15 Jul
First harvest: Crops every year once it’s established.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Chives across the UK, town by town

MintOutdoors 5 Apr to 3 Oct; Under cover 8 Mar to 31 Oct

Sow outdoors: 5 Apr to 3 Oct
Under cover: 8 Mar to 31 Oct
First harvest: Crops every year once it’s established.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Mint across the UK, town by town

Fruit

StrawberryOutdoors 16 Mar to 27 May; Under cover 16 Feb to 24 Jun

Plant outdoors: 16 Mar to 27 May
Under cover: 16 Feb to 24 Jun
First harvest: Crops every year once it’s established.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Strawberry across the UK, town by town

RaspberryOutdoors 30 Oct to 21 Jan; Under cover 2 Oct to 18 Feb

Plant outdoors: 30 Oct to 21 Jan
Under cover: 2 Oct to 18 Feb
First harvest: Crops every year once it’s established.
Warmth: Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.

Raspberry across the UK, town by town

RhubarbOutdoors 10 Oct to 26 Dec; Under cover 12 Sep to 23 Jan

Plant outdoors: 10 Oct to 26 Dec
Under cover: 12 Sep to 23 Jan
First harvest: Crops every year once it’s established.
Warmth: Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.

Rhubarb across the UK, town by town

Nearby

Questions about growing in Ballymena

When is the last frost in Ballymena?

On average around 16 March, and the first autumn frost comes around 10 December. In a cold spring a frost can come a week or two late, so tender plants are safest out a week after the date.

Can I grow tomatoes outdoors in Ballymena?

Not reliably: the season too short. Sow them under cover 11 May to 10 Jun, then grow them on under cover or plant out once frost has passed.

What can I sow in Ballymena in November?

Outdoors: broad bean, garlic, raspberry, rhubarb.

How accurate are these dates?

They’re worked out from 30 years of climate data for this spot, adjusted for its height, so they’re a good guide for a typical year. Check the forecast before planting out anything tender.

Get these dates as reminders

Bia turns this calendar into a nudge when it’s time to sow, plant out and harvest, for your plot in Ballymena. Free for 2 months.

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How these dates are worked out: climate records for this spot (ERA5-Land, 1995 to 2024), the local frost dates and the height above sea level turn a seed-packet date into a local one. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information; towns from GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). How sowing dates work