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England, UK

Planting calendar for Birmingham

Last frost around 17 April, first frost around 12 November: about 209 frost-free days.

Last frost
17 April
on average
First frost
12 November
on average
Frost-free days
209
in a typical year

Sow now: November

See the whole year

Outdoors

Under cover

Nothing this month.

The year at a glance

When each crop can be sown in Birmingham. 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 Birmingham, month by month. Each month says whether you can sow outdoors, under cover, or both.
CropJJanFFebMMarAAprMMayJJunJJulAAugSSepOOctNNovDDec
Fruiting
TomatoJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Not this monthApril: Sow under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow under coverAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
ChilliJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Not this monthApril: Sow under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow under coverAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
Sweet pepperJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Not this monthApril: Not this monthMay: Sow under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow under coverAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
AubergineJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Not this monthApril: Not this monthMay: Sow under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow under coverAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
CourgetteJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Not this monthApril: Sow under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow under coverAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
CucumberJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Not this monthApril: Sow under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow under coverAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
SquashJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Not this monthApril: Sow under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow under coverAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
SweetcornJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Not this monthApril: Sow under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow under coverAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
Roots
CarrotJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Sow under coverApril: Sow outdoors and under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow outdoors and under coverAugust: Sow under coverSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
BeetrootJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Sow under coverApril: Sow outdoors and under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow outdoors and under coverAugust: Sow under coverSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
ParsnipJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Sow under coverMarch: Sow outdoors and under coverApril: Sow outdoors and under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow under coverJuly: Not this monthAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
RadishJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Sow under coverMarch: Sow outdoors and under coverApril: Sow outdoors and under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow outdoors and under coverAugust: Sow outdoors and under coverSeptember: Sow outdoors and under coverOctober: Sow under coverNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
PotatoJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Plant under coverMarch: Plant outdoors and under coverApril: Plant outdoors and under coverMay: Plant outdoors and under coverJune: Plant under coverJuly: Not this monthAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
TurnipJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Sow under coverMarch: Sow outdoors and under coverApril: Sow outdoors and under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow outdoors and under coverAugust: Sow outdoors and under coverSeptember: Sow under coverOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
Leaves
LettuceJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Sow under coverMarch: Sow outdoors and under coverApril: Sow outdoors and under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow outdoors and under coverAugust: Sow outdoors and under coverSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
SpinachJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Sow under coverMarch: Sow outdoors and under coverApril: Sow outdoors and under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow outdoors and under coverAugust: Sow outdoors and under coverSeptember: Sow outdoors and under coverOctober: Sow under coverNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
Swiss chardJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Sow under coverApril: Sow outdoors and under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow outdoors and under coverAugust: Sow outdoors and under coverSeptember: Sow under coverOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
RocketJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Sow under coverMarch: Sow outdoors and under coverApril: Sow outdoors and under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow outdoors and under coverAugust: Sow outdoors and under coverSeptember: Sow outdoors and under coverOctober: Sow under coverNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
CeleryJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Sow under coverMarch: Sow outdoors and under coverApril: Sow outdoors and under coverMay: Sow under coverJune: Not this monthJuly: Not this monthAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
Beans and peas
Runner beanJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Not this monthApril: Sow under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow under coverAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
French beanJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Not this monthApril: Sow under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow outdoors and under coverAugust: Sow under coverSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
Broad beanJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Not this monthApril: Not this monthMay: Not this monthJune: Not this monthJuly: Not this monthAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Sow under coverOctober: Sow outdoors and under coverNovember: Sow outdoors and under coverDecember: Sow under cover
PeaJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Sow under coverMarch: Sow outdoors and under coverApril: Sow outdoors and under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow under coverAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
Onion family
OnionJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Plant under coverMarch: Plant outdoors and under coverApril: Plant outdoors and under coverMay: Plant under coverJune: Not this monthJuly: Not this monthAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
GarlicJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Not this monthApril: Not this monthMay: Not this monthJune: Not this monthJuly: Not this monthAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Plant under coverOctober: Plant outdoors and under coverNovember: Plant outdoors and under coverDecember: Plant under cover
LeekJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Sow under coverMarch: Sow outdoors and under coverApril: Sow outdoors and under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow under coverAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
Spring onionJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Sow under coverMarch: Sow outdoors and under coverApril: Sow outdoors and under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow outdoors and under coverAugust: Sow outdoors and under coverSeptember: Sow under coverOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
ShallotJanuary: Plant under coverFebruary: Plant outdoors and under coverMarch: Plant outdoors and under coverApril: Plant outdoors and under coverMay: Plant under coverJune: Not this monthJuly: Not this monthAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
Brassicas
CabbageJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Sow under coverMarch: Sow outdoors and under coverApril: Sow outdoors and under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow outdoors and under coverAugust: Sow under coverSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
BroccoliJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Sow under coverApril: Sow outdoors and under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow under coverAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
CauliflowerJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Sow under coverMarch: Sow outdoors and under coverApril: Sow outdoors and under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow under coverAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
Brussels sproutJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Sow under coverMarch: Sow outdoors and under coverApril: Sow outdoors and under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow under coverJuly: Not this monthAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
KaleJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Sow under coverApril: Sow outdoors and under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow outdoors and under coverAugust: Sow under coverSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
Pak choiJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Sow under coverApril: Sow outdoors and under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow outdoors and under coverAugust: Sow outdoors and under coverSeptember: Sow under coverOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
Herbs
BasilJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Sow under coverApril: Sow outdoors and under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow outdoors and under coverAugust: Sow under coverSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
ParsleyJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Sow under coverMarch: Sow outdoors and under coverApril: Sow outdoors and under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow outdoors and under coverAugust: Sow outdoors and under coverSeptember: Sow under coverOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
CorianderJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Sow under coverApril: Sow outdoors and under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow outdoors and under coverAugust: Sow outdoors and under coverSeptember: Sow under coverOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
ChivesJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Sow under coverMarch: Sow outdoors and under coverApril: Sow outdoors and under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow under coverJuly: Not this monthAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
MintJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Sow under coverApril: Sow outdoors and under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow outdoors and under coverAugust: Sow outdoors and under coverSeptember: Sow outdoors and under coverOctober: Sow under coverNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
Fruit
StrawberryJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Plant under coverMarch: Plant outdoors and under coverApril: Plant outdoors and under coverMay: Plant outdoors and under coverJune: Plant under coverJuly: Not this monthAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
RaspberryJanuary: Plant under coverFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Not this monthApril: Not this monthMay: Not this monthJune: Not this monthJuly: Not this monthAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Plant under coverNovember: Plant outdoors and under coverDecember: Plant outdoors and under cover
RhubarbJanuary: Plant under coverFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Not this monthApril: Not this monthMay: Not this monthJune: Not this monthJuly: Not this monthAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Plant under coverOctober: Plant outdoors and under coverNovember: Plant outdoors and under coverDecember: Plant outdoors and under cover

Fruit rows show when to plant, not sow.

Crop by crop

Fruiting

TomatoOutdoors 22 May to 16 Jun; Under cover 24 Apr to 14 Jul
Tomato growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
22 May to 16 Jun
Under cover
24 Apr to 14 Jul
First harvest
About 112 days after sowing. Sown on 22 May, ready around 11 September.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Tomato across the UK, town by town
ChilliOutdoors 21 May to 16 Jun; Under cover 23 Apr to 14 Jul
Chilli growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
21 May to 16 Jun
Under cover
23 Apr to 14 Jul
First harvest
About 148 days after sowing. Sown on 21 May, ready around 16 October.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Chilli across the UK, town by town
Sweet pepperOutdoors 26 May to 21 Jun; Under cover 28 Apr to 19 Jul
Sweet pepper growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
26 May to 21 Jun
Under cover
28 Apr to 19 Jul
First harvest
About 134 days after sowing. Sown on 26 May, ready around 7 October.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Sweet pepper across the UK, town by town
AubergineOutdoors 26 May to 16 Jun; Under cover 28 Apr to 14 Jul
Aubergine growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
26 May to 16 Jun
Under cover
28 Apr to 14 Jul
First harvest
About 240 days after sowing. Sown on 26 May, ready around 21 January.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Aubergine across the UK, town by town
CourgetteOutdoors 21 May to 1 Jul; Under cover 23 Apr to 29 Jul
Courgette growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
21 May to 1 Jul
Under cover
23 Apr to 29 Jul
First harvest
About 61 days after sowing. Sown on 21 May, ready around 21 July.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Courgette across the UK, town by town
CucumberOutdoors 21 May to 1 Jul; Under cover 23 Apr to 29 Jul
Cucumber growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
21 May to 1 Jul
Under cover
23 Apr to 29 Jul
First harvest
About 71 days after sowing. Sown on 21 May, ready around 31 July.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Cucumber across the UK, town by town
SquashOutdoors 21 May to 21 Jun; Under cover 23 Apr to 19 Jul
Squash growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
21 May to 21 Jun
Under cover
23 Apr to 19 Jul
First harvest
About 112 days after sowing. Sown on 21 May, ready around 10 September.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Squash across the UK, town by town
SweetcornOutdoors 16 May to 21 Jun; Under cover 18 Apr to 19 Jul
Sweetcorn growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
16 May to 21 Jun
Under cover
18 Apr to 19 Jul
First harvest
About 102 days after sowing. Sown on 16 May, ready around 26 August.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.
Sweetcorn across the UK, town by town

Roots

CarrotOutdoors 2 Apr to 12 Jul; Under cover 5 Mar to 9 Aug
Carrot growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
2 Apr to 12 Jul
Under cover
5 Mar to 9 Aug
First harvest
About 101 days after sowing. Sown on 2 April, ready around 12 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Carrot across the UK, town by town
BeetrootOutdoors 2 Apr to 17 Jul; Under cover 5 Mar to 14 Aug
Beetroot growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
2 Apr to 17 Jul
Under cover
5 Mar to 14 Aug
First harvest
About 71 days after sowing. Sown on 2 April, ready around 12 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Beetroot across the UK, town by town
ParsnipOutdoors 16 Mar to 1 Jun; Under cover 16 Feb to 29 Jun
Parsnip growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
16 Mar to 1 Jun
Under cover
16 Feb to 29 Jun
First harvest
About 131 days after sowing. Sown on 16 March, ready around 25 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Parsnip across the UK, town by town
RadishOutdoors 16 Mar to 14 Sep; Under cover 16 Feb to 12 Oct
Radish growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
16 Mar to 14 Sep
Under cover
16 Feb to 12 Oct
First harvest
About 29 days after sowing. Sown on 16 March, ready around 14 April.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Radish across the UK, town by town
PotatoOutdoors 16 Mar to 11 May; Under cover 16 Feb to 8 Jun
Potato growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
16 Mar to 11 May
Under cover
16 Feb to 8 Jun
First harvest
About 101 days after planting. Planted on 16 March, ready around 25 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Potato across the UK, town by town
TurnipOutdoors 16 Mar to 14 Aug; Under cover 16 Feb to 11 Sep
Turnip growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
16 Mar to 14 Aug
Under cover
16 Feb to 11 Sep
First harvest
About 61 days after sowing. Sown on 16 March, ready around 16 May.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Turnip across the UK, town by town

Leaves

LettuceOutdoors 21 Mar to 9 Aug; Under cover 21 Feb to 6 Sep
Lettuce growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
21 Mar to 9 Aug
Under cover
21 Feb to 6 Sep
First harvest
About 71 days after sowing. Sown on 21 March, ready around 31 May.
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
Spinach growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
16 Mar to 14 Sep
Under cover
16 Feb to 12 Oct
First harvest
About 46 days after sowing. Sown on 16 March, ready around 1 May.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Spinach across the UK, town by town
Swiss chardOutdoors 2 Apr to 14 Aug; Under cover 5 Mar to 11 Sep
Swiss chard growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
2 Apr to 14 Aug
Under cover
5 Mar to 11 Sep
First harvest
About 61 days after sowing. Sown on 2 April, ready around 2 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Swiss chard across the UK, town by town
RocketOutdoors 16 Mar to 14 Sep; Under cover 16 Feb to 12 Oct
Rocket growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
16 Mar to 14 Sep
Under cover
16 Feb to 12 Oct
First harvest
About 41 days after sowing. Sown on 16 March, ready around 26 April.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Rocket across the UK, town by town
CeleryOutdoors 2 Mar to 1 May; Under cover 2 Feb to 29 May
Celery growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
2 Mar to 1 May
Under cover
2 Feb to 29 May
First harvest
About 130 days after sowing. Sown on 2 March, ready around 10 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.
Celery across the UK, town by town

Beans and peas

Runner beanOutdoors 16 May to 1 Jul; Under cover 18 Apr to 29 Jul
Runner bean growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
16 May to 1 Jul
Under cover
18 Apr to 29 Jul
First harvest
About 91 days after sowing. Sown on 16 May, ready around 15 August.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.
Runner bean across the UK, town by town
French beanOutdoors 16 May to 17 Jul; Under cover 18 Apr to 14 Aug
French bean growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
16 May to 17 Jul
Under cover
18 Apr to 14 Aug
First harvest
About 71 days after sowing. Sown on 16 May, ready around 26 July.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.
French bean across the UK, town by town
Broad beanOutdoors 1 Oct to 19 Nov; Under cover 3 Sep to 17 Dec
Broad bean growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
1 Oct to 19 Nov
Under cover
3 Sep to 17 Dec
First harvest
About 220 days after sowing. Sown on 1 October, ready around 9 May.
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 16 Jun; Under cover 16 Feb to 14 Jul
Pea growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
16 Mar to 16 Jun
Under cover
16 Feb to 14 Jul
First harvest
About 81 days after sowing. Sown on 16 March, ready around 5 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Pea across the UK, town by town

Onion family

OnionOutdoors 11 Mar to 1 May; Under cover 11 Feb to 29 May
Onion growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
11 Mar to 1 May
Under cover
11 Feb to 29 May
First harvest
About 140 days after planting. Planted on 11 March, ready around 29 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Onion across the UK, town by town
GarlicOutdoors 1 Oct to 29 Nov; Under cover 3 Sep to 27 Dec
Garlic growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
1 Oct to 29 Nov
Under cover
3 Sep to 27 Dec
First harvest
About 250 days after planting. Planted on 1 October, ready around 8 June.
Warmth
Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.
Garlic across the UK, town by town
LeekOutdoors 16 Mar to 1 Jul; Under cover 16 Feb to 29 Jul
Leek growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
16 Mar to 1 Jul
Under cover
16 Feb to 29 Jul
First harvest
About 151 days after sowing. Sown on 16 March, ready around 14 August.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Leek across the UK, town by town
Spring onionOutdoors 2 Mar to 30 Aug; Under cover 2 Feb to 27 Sep
Spring onion growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
2 Mar to 30 Aug
Under cover
2 Feb to 27 Sep
First harvest
About 70 days after sowing. Sown on 2 March, ready around 11 May.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.
Spring onion across the UK, town by town
ShallotOutdoors 16 Feb to 1 May; Under cover 19 Jan to 29 May
Shallot growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
16 Feb to 1 May
Under cover
19 Jan to 29 May
First harvest
About 130 days after planting. Planted on 16 February, ready around 26 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.
Shallot across the UK, town by town

Brassicas

CabbageOutdoors 16 Mar to 17 Jul; Under cover 16 Feb to 14 Aug
Cabbage growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
16 Mar to 17 Jul
Under cover
16 Feb to 14 Aug
First harvest
About 111 days after sowing. Sown on 16 March, ready around 5 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Cabbage across the UK, town by town
BroccoliOutdoors 2 Apr to 1 Jul; Under cover 5 Mar to 29 Jul
Broccoli growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
2 Apr to 1 Jul
Under cover
5 Mar to 29 Jul
First harvest
About 91 days after sowing. Sown on 2 April, ready around 2 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Broccoli across the UK, town by town
CauliflowerOutdoors 16 Mar to 16 Jun; Under cover 16 Feb to 14 Jul
Cauliflower growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
16 Mar to 16 Jun
Under cover
16 Feb to 14 Jul
First harvest
About 121 days after sowing. Sown on 16 March, ready around 15 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 16 May; Under cover 16 Feb to 13 Jun
Brussels sprout growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
16 Mar to 16 May
Under cover
16 Feb to 13 Jun
First harvest
About 182 days after sowing. Sown on 16 March, ready around 14 September.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Brussels sprout across the UK, town by town
KaleOutdoors 2 Apr to 17 Jul; Under cover 5 Mar to 14 Aug
Kale growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
2 Apr to 17 Jul
Under cover
5 Mar to 14 Aug
First harvest
About 81 days after sowing. Sown on 2 April, ready around 22 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Kale across the UK, town by town
Pak choiOutdoors 16 Apr to 30 Aug; Under cover 19 Mar to 27 Sep
Pak choi growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
16 Apr to 30 Aug
Under cover
19 Mar to 27 Sep
First harvest
About 46 days after sowing. Sown on 16 April, ready around 1 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 8°C; bolts in hot weather.
Pak choi across the UK, town by town

Herbs

BasilOutdoors 17 Apr to 17 Jul; Under cover 20 Mar to 14 Aug
Basil growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
17 Apr to 17 Jul
Under cover
20 Mar to 14 Aug
First harvest
About 61 days after sowing. Sown on 17 April, ready around 17 June.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 8°C or more, and no frost.
Basil across the UK, town by town
ParsleyOutdoors 16 Mar to 14 Aug; Under cover 16 Feb to 11 Sep
Parsley growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
16 Mar to 14 Aug
Under cover
16 Feb to 11 Sep
First harvest
About 76 days after sowing. Sown on 16 March, ready around 31 May.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Parsley across the UK, town by town
CorianderOutdoors 2 Apr to 30 Aug; Under cover 5 Mar to 27 Sep
Coriander growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
2 Apr to 30 Aug
Under cover
5 Mar to 27 Sep
First harvest
About 51 days after sowing. Sown on 2 April, ready around 23 May.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 7°C; bolts in hot weather.
Coriander across the UK, town by town
ChivesOutdoors 16 Mar to 1 Jun; Under cover 16 Feb to 29 Jun
Chives growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
16 Mar to 1 Jun
Under cover
16 Feb to 29 Jun
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 2 Apr to 29 Sep; Under cover 5 Mar to 27 Oct
Mint growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
2 Apr to 29 Sep
Under cover
5 Mar to 27 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 16 May; Under cover 16 Feb to 13 Jun
Strawberry growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
16 Mar to 16 May
Under cover
16 Feb to 13 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 31 Oct to 30 Dec; Under cover 3 Oct to 27 Jan
Raspberry growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
31 Oct to 30 Dec
Under cover
3 Oct to 27 Jan
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 15 Oct to 14 Dec; Under cover 17 Sep to 11 Jan
Rhubarb growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
15 Oct to 14 Dec
Under cover
17 Sep to 11 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

Questions about growing in Birmingham

When is the last frost in Birmingham?

On average around 17 April, and the first autumn frost comes around 12 November. 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 Birmingham?

Yes. Plant them outdoors 22 May to 16 Jun, or under cover 24 Apr to 14 Jul.

What can I sow in Birmingham 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 Birmingham. 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