England, UK

Planting calendar for Chester

Last frost around 30 March, first frost around 23 November: about 238 frost-free days.

Last frost: 30 March
First frost: 23 November
Frost-free days: 238

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 Chester. 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 Chester, 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
Tomato	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	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
Chilli	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Sow 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
Sweet pepper	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
Aubergine	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
Courgette	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Sow under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Not this month	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: Sow under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Squash	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Sow 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
Sweetcorn	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Sow 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
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 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
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: Sow under cover	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 outdoors and under cover	September: Sow under cover	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: Sow under cover	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 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: Sow under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and 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: Sow 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
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: Not this month	September: Sow 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 under cover	August: Not this month	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 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: Not this month	September: Plant 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: Not this month	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 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: Not this month	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 under cover	August: Not this month	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 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
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 outdoors and 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

TomatoOutdoors 23 May to 20 Jun; Under cover 25 Apr to 18 Jul

Sow outdoors: 23 May to 20 Jun
Under cover: 25 Apr to 18 Jul
First harvest: About 113 days after sowing. Sown on 23 May, ready around 13 September.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Tomato across the UK, town by town

ChilliOutdoors 22 May to 20 Jun; Under cover 24 Apr to 18 Jul

Sow outdoors: 22 May to 20 Jun
Under cover: 24 Apr to 18 Jul
First harvest: About 139 days after sowing. Sown on 22 May, ready around 8 October.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Chilli across the UK, town by town

Sweet pepperOutdoors 27 May to 26 Jun; Under cover 29 Apr to 24 Jul

Sow outdoors: 27 May to 26 Jun
Under cover: 29 Apr to 24 Jul
First harvest: About 130 days after sowing. Sown on 27 May, ready around 4 October.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Sweet pepper across the UK, town by town

AubergineOutdoors 27 May to 20 Jun; Under cover 29 Apr to 18 Jul

Sow outdoors: 27 May to 20 Jun
Under cover: 29 Apr to 18 Jul
First harvest: About 137 days after sowing. Sown on 27 May, ready around 11 October.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Aubergine across the UK, town by town

CourgetteOutdoors 22 May to 8 Jul; Under cover 24 Apr to 5 Aug

Sow outdoors: 22 May to 8 Jul
Under cover: 24 Apr to 5 Aug
First harvest: About 62 days after sowing. Sown on 22 May, ready around 23 July.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Courgette across the UK, town by town

CucumberOutdoors 22 May to 8 Jul; Under cover 24 Apr to 5 Aug

Sow outdoors: 22 May to 8 Jul
Under cover: 24 Apr to 5 Aug
First harvest: About 72 days after sowing. Sown on 22 May, ready around 2 August.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Cucumber across the UK, town by town

SquashOutdoors 22 May to 26 Jun; Under cover 24 Apr to 24 Jul

Sow outdoors: 22 May to 26 Jun
Under cover: 24 Apr to 24 Jul
First harvest: About 113 days after sowing. Sown on 22 May, ready around 12 September.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Squash across the UK, town by town

SweetcornOutdoors 17 May to 26 Jun; Under cover 19 Apr to 24 Jul

Sow outdoors: 17 May to 26 Jun
Under cover: 19 Apr to 24 Jul
First harvest: About 103 days after sowing. Sown on 17 May, ready around 28 August.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.

Sweetcorn across the UK, town by town

Roots

CarrotOutdoors 31 Mar to 31 Jul; Under cover 3 Mar to 28 Aug

Sow outdoors: 31 Mar to 31 Jul
Under cover: 3 Mar to 28 Aug
First harvest: About 104 days after sowing. Sown on 31 March, ready around 13 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Carrot across the UK, town by town

BeetrootOutdoors 31 Mar to 31 Jul; Under cover 3 Mar to 28 Aug

Sow outdoors: 31 Mar to 31 Jul
Under cover: 3 Mar to 28 Aug
First harvest: About 73 days after sowing. Sown on 31 March, ready around 12 June.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Beetroot across the UK, town by town

ParsnipOutdoors 12 Mar to 3 Jun; Under cover 12 Feb to 1 Jul

Sow outdoors: 12 Mar to 3 Jun
Under cover: 12 Feb to 1 Jul
First harvest: About 137 days after sowing. Sown on 12 March, ready around 27 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Parsnip across the UK, town by town

RadishOutdoors 12 Mar to 18 Sep; Under cover 12 Feb to 16 Oct

Sow outdoors: 12 Mar to 18 Sep
Under cover: 12 Feb to 16 Oct
First harvest: About 30 days after sowing. Sown on 12 March, ready around 11 April.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Radish across the UK, town by town

PotatoOutdoors 12 Mar to 11 May; Under cover 12 Feb to 8 Jun

Plant outdoors: 12 Mar to 11 May
Under cover: 12 Feb to 8 Jun
First harvest: About 106 days after planting. Planted on 12 March, ready around 26 June.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Potato across the UK, town by town

TurnipOutdoors 12 Mar to 18 Aug; Under cover 12 Feb to 15 Sep

Sow outdoors: 12 Mar to 18 Aug
Under cover: 12 Feb to 15 Sep
First harvest: About 64 days after sowing. Sown on 12 March, ready around 15 May.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Turnip across the UK, town by town

Leaves

LettuceOutdoors 17 Mar to 13 Aug; Under cover 17 Feb to 10 Sep

Sow outdoors: 17 Mar to 13 Aug
Under cover: 17 Feb to 10 Sep
First harvest: About 74 days after sowing. Sown on 17 March, ready around 30 May.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Lettuce across the UK, town by town

SpinachOutdoors 12 Mar to 19 Sep; Under cover 12 Feb to 17 Oct

Sow outdoors: 12 Mar to 19 Sep
Under cover: 12 Feb to 17 Oct
First harvest: About 48 days after sowing. Sown on 12 March, ready around 29 April.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Spinach across the UK, town by town

Swiss chardOutdoors 31 Mar to 18 Aug; Under cover 3 Mar to 15 Sep

Sow outdoors: 31 Mar to 18 Aug
Under cover: 3 Mar to 15 Sep
First harvest: About 63 days after sowing. Sown on 31 March, ready around 2 June.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Swiss chard across the UK, town by town

RocketOutdoors 12 Mar to 19 Sep; Under cover 12 Feb to 17 Oct

Sow outdoors: 12 Mar to 19 Sep
Under cover: 12 Feb to 17 Oct
First harvest: About 43 days after sowing. Sown on 12 March, ready around 24 April.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Rocket across the UK, town by town

CeleryOutdoors 23 Feb to 1 May; Under cover 26 Jan to 29 May

Sow outdoors: 23 Feb to 1 May
Under cover: 26 Jan to 29 May
First harvest: About 140 days after sowing. Sown on 23 February, ready around 13 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.

Celery across the UK, town by town

Beans and peas

Runner beanOutdoors 17 May to 8 Jul; Under cover 19 Apr to 5 Aug

Sow outdoors: 17 May to 8 Jul
Under cover: 19 Apr to 5 Aug
First harvest: About 93 days after sowing. Sown on 17 May, ready around 18 August.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.

Runner bean across the UK, town by town

French beanOutdoors 17 May to 31 Jul; Under cover 19 Apr to 28 Aug

Sow outdoors: 17 May to 31 Jul
Under cover: 19 Apr to 28 Aug
First harvest: About 72 days after sowing. Sown on 17 May, ready around 28 July.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.

French bean across the UK, town by town

Broad beanOutdoors 30 Sep to 25 Nov; Under cover 2 Sep to 23 Dec

Sow outdoors: 30 Sep to 25 Nov
Under cover: 2 Sep to 23 Dec
First harvest: About 220 days after sowing. Sown on 30 September, ready around 8 May.
Warmth: Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.

Broad bean across the UK, town by town

PeaOutdoors 12 Mar to 20 Jun; Under cover 12 Feb to 18 Jul

Sow outdoors: 12 Mar to 20 Jun
Under cover: 12 Feb to 18 Jul
First harvest: About 85 days after sowing. Sown on 12 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 6 Mar to 1 May; Under cover 6 Feb to 29 May

Plant outdoors: 6 Mar to 1 May
Under cover: 6 Feb to 29 May
First harvest: About 148 days after planting. Planted on 6 March, ready around 1 August.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Onion across the UK, town by town

GarlicOutdoors 30 Sep to 6 Dec; Under cover 2 Sep to 3 Jan

Plant outdoors: 30 Sep to 6 Dec
Under cover: 2 Sep to 3 Jan
First harvest: About 250 days after planting. Planted on 30 September, ready around 7 June.
Warmth: Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.

Garlic across the UK, town by town

LeekOutdoors 12 Mar to 8 Jul; Under cover 12 Feb to 5 Aug

Sow outdoors: 12 Mar to 8 Jul
Under cover: 12 Feb to 5 Aug
First harvest: About 157 days after sowing. Sown on 12 March, ready around 16 August.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Leek across the UK, town by town

Spring onionOutdoors 23 Feb to 5 Sep; Under cover 26 Jan to 3 Oct

Sow outdoors: 23 Feb to 5 Sep
Under cover: 26 Jan to 3 Oct
First harvest: About 78 days after sowing. Sown on 23 February, ready around 12 May.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.

Spring onion across the UK, town by town

ShallotOutdoors 31 Jan to 1 May; Under cover 3 Jan to 29 May

Plant outdoors: 31 Jan to 1 May
Under cover: 3 Jan to 29 May
First harvest: About 151 days after planting. Planted on 31 January, ready around 1 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.

Shallot across the UK, town by town

Brassicas

CabbageOutdoors 12 Mar to 31 Jul; Under cover 12 Feb to 28 Aug

Sow outdoors: 12 Mar to 31 Jul
Under cover: 12 Feb to 28 Aug
First harvest: About 116 days after sowing. Sown on 12 March, ready around 6 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Cabbage across the UK, town by town

BroccoliOutdoors 31 Mar to 8 Jul; Under cover 3 Mar to 5 Aug

Sow outdoors: 31 Mar to 8 Jul
Under cover: 3 Mar to 5 Aug
First harvest: About 94 days after sowing. Sown on 31 March, ready around 3 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Broccoli across the UK, town by town

CauliflowerOutdoors 12 Mar to 20 Jun; Under cover 12 Feb to 18 Jul

Sow outdoors: 12 Mar to 20 Jun
Under cover: 12 Feb to 18 Jul
First harvest: About 126 days after sowing. Sown on 12 March, ready around 16 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Cauliflower across the UK, town by town

Brussels sproutOutdoors 12 Mar to 17 May; Under cover 12 Feb to 14 Jun

Sow outdoors: 12 Mar to 17 May
Under cover: 12 Feb to 14 Jun
First harvest: About 186 days after sowing. Sown on 12 March, ready around 14 September.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Brussels sprout across the UK, town by town

KaleOutdoors 31 Mar to 31 Jul; Under cover 3 Mar to 28 Aug

Sow outdoors: 31 Mar to 31 Jul
Under cover: 3 Mar to 28 Aug
First harvest: About 83 days after sowing. Sown on 31 March, ready around 22 June.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Kale across the UK, town by town

Pak choiOutdoors 15 Apr to 3 Sep; Under cover 18 Mar to 1 Oct

Sow outdoors: 15 Apr to 3 Sep
Under cover: 18 Mar to 1 Oct
First harvest: About 47 days after sowing. Sown on 15 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 15 Apr to 31 Jul; Under cover 18 Mar to 28 Aug

Sow outdoors: 15 Apr to 31 Jul
Under cover: 18 Mar to 28 Aug
First harvest: About 64 days after sowing. Sown on 15 April, ready around 18 June.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 8°C or more, and no frost.

Basil across the UK, town by town

ParsleyOutdoors 12 Mar to 19 Aug; Under cover 12 Feb to 16 Sep

Sow outdoors: 12 Mar to 19 Aug
Under cover: 12 Feb to 16 Sep
First harvest: About 80 days after sowing. Sown on 12 March, ready around 31 May.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Parsley across the UK, town by town

CorianderOutdoors 31 Mar to 3 Sep; Under cover 3 Mar to 1 Oct

Sow outdoors: 31 Mar to 3 Sep
Under cover: 3 Mar to 1 Oct
First harvest: About 52 days after sowing. Sown on 31 March, ready around 22 May.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C; bolts in hot weather.

Coriander across the UK, town by town

ChivesOutdoors 12 Mar to 3 Jun; Under cover 12 Feb to 1 Jul

Sow outdoors: 12 Mar to 3 Jun
Under cover: 12 Feb to 1 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 31 Mar to 7 Oct; Under cover 3 Mar to 4 Nov

Sow outdoors: 31 Mar to 7 Oct
Under cover: 3 Mar to 4 Nov
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 12 Mar to 17 May; Under cover 12 Feb to 14 Jun

Plant outdoors: 12 Mar to 17 May
Under cover: 12 Feb to 14 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 3 Nov to 20 Jan; Under cover 6 Oct to 17 Feb

Plant outdoors: 3 Nov to 20 Jan
Under cover: 6 Oct to 17 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 16 Oct to 26 Dec; Under cover 18 Sep to 23 Jan

Plant outdoors: 16 Oct to 26 Dec
Under cover: 18 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 Chester

When is the last frost in Chester?

On average around 30 March, and the first autumn frost comes around 23 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 Chester?

Yes. Plant them outdoors 23 May to 20 Jun, or under cover 25 Apr to 18 Jul.

What can I sow in Chester 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 Chester. 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