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England, UK

Planting calendar for Darlington

Last frost around 14 April, first frost around 11 November: about 211 frost-free days.

Last frost
14 April
on average
First frost
11 November
on average
Frost-free days
211
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 Darlington. 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 Darlington, 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: 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
ChilliJanuary: 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
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: Not this monthMay: Sow 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
CucumberJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Not this monthApril: Not this monthMay: Sow 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
SquashJanuary: 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
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: Not this monthMarch: 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
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 outdoors and 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 outdoors and under coverAugust: Sow under coverSeptember: 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 outdoors and under coverAugust: Sow under coverSeptember: 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 27 May to 23 Jun; Under cover 29 Apr to 21 Jul
Tomato growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
27 May to 23 Jun
Under cover
29 Apr to 21 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.
Tomato across the UK, town by town
ChilliOutdoors 26 May to 20 Jun; Under cover 28 Apr to 18 Jul
Chilli growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
26 May to 20 Jun
Under cover
28 Apr to 18 Jul
First harvest
About 224 days after sowing. Sown on 26 May, ready around 5 January.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Chilli across the UK, town by town
Sweet pepperOutdoors 31 May to 25 Jun; Under cover 3 May to 23 Jul
Sweet pepper growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
31 May to 25 Jun
Under cover
3 May to 23 Jul
First harvest
About 208 days after sowing. Sown on 31 May, ready around 25 December.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Sweet pepper across the UK, town by town
AubergineOutdoors 31 May to 20 Jun; Under cover 3 May to 18 Jul
Aubergine growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
31 May to 20 Jun
Under cover
3 May to 18 Jul
First harvest
About 240 days after sowing. Sown on 31 May, ready around 26 January.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Aubergine across the UK, town by town
CourgetteOutdoors 26 May to 11 Jul; Under cover 28 Apr to 8 Aug
Courgette growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
26 May to 11 Jul
Under cover
28 Apr to 8 Aug
First harvest
About 63 days after sowing. Sown on 26 May, ready around 28 July.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Courgette across the UK, town by town
CucumberOutdoors 26 May to 11 Jul; Under cover 28 Apr to 8 Aug
Cucumber growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
26 May to 11 Jul
Under cover
28 Apr to 8 Aug
First harvest
About 74 days after sowing. Sown on 26 May, ready around 8 August.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Cucumber across the UK, town by town
SquashOutdoors 26 May to 27 Jun; Under cover 28 Apr to 25 Jul
Squash growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
26 May to 27 Jun
Under cover
28 Apr to 25 Jul
First harvest
About 129 days after sowing. Sown on 26 May, ready around 2 October.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Squash across the UK, town by town
SweetcornOutdoors 21 May to 28 Jun; Under cover 23 Apr to 26 Jul
Sweetcorn growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
21 May to 28 Jun
Under cover
23 Apr to 26 Jul
First harvest
About 109 days after sowing. Sown on 21 May, ready around 7 September.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.
Sweetcorn across the UK, town by town

Roots

CarrotOutdoors 6 Apr to 1 Aug; Under cover 9 Mar to 29 Aug
Carrot growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
6 Apr to 1 Aug
Under cover
9 Mar to 29 Aug
First harvest
About 102 days after sowing. Sown on 6 April, ready around 17 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Carrot across the UK, town by town
BeetrootOutdoors 6 Apr to 1 Aug; Under cover 9 Mar to 29 Aug
Beetroot growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
6 Apr to 1 Aug
Under cover
9 Mar to 29 Aug
First harvest
About 71 days after sowing. Sown on 6 April, ready around 16 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Beetroot across the UK, town by town
ParsnipOutdoors 20 Mar to 6 Jun; Under cover 20 Feb to 4 Jul
Parsnip growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
20 Mar to 6 Jun
Under cover
20 Feb to 4 Jul
First harvest
About 133 days after sowing. Sown on 20 March, ready around 31 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Parsnip across the UK, town by town
RadishOutdoors 20 Mar to 11 Sep; Under cover 20 Feb to 9 Oct
Radish growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
20 Mar to 11 Sep
Under cover
20 Feb to 9 Oct
First harvest
About 29 days after sowing. Sown on 20 March, ready around 18 April.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Radish across the UK, town by town
PotatoOutdoors 20 Mar to 16 May; Under cover 20 Feb to 13 Jun
Potato growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
20 Mar to 16 May
Under cover
20 Feb to 13 Jun
First harvest
About 102 days after planting. Planted on 20 March, ready around 30 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Potato across the UK, town by town
TurnipOutdoors 20 Mar to 10 Aug; Under cover 20 Feb to 7 Sep
Turnip growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
20 Mar to 10 Aug
Under cover
20 Feb to 7 Sep
First harvest
About 62 days after sowing. Sown on 20 March, ready around 21 May.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Turnip across the UK, town by town

Leaves

LettuceOutdoors 25 Mar to 5 Aug; Under cover 25 Feb to 2 Sep
Lettuce growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
25 Mar to 5 Aug
Under cover
25 Feb to 2 Sep
First harvest
About 72 days after sowing. Sown on 25 March, ready around 5 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Lettuce across the UK, town by town
SpinachOutdoors 20 Mar to 11 Sep; Under cover 20 Feb to 9 Oct
Spinach growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
20 Mar to 11 Sep
Under cover
20 Feb to 9 Oct
First harvest
About 46 days after sowing. Sown on 20 March, ready around 5 May.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Spinach across the UK, town by town
Swiss chardOutdoors 6 Apr to 10 Aug; Under cover 9 Mar to 7 Sep
Swiss chard growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
6 Apr to 10 Aug
Under cover
9 Mar to 7 Sep
First harvest
About 61 days after sowing. Sown on 6 April, ready around 6 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Swiss chard across the UK, town by town
RocketOutdoors 20 Mar to 11 Sep; Under cover 20 Feb to 9 Oct
Rocket growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
20 Mar to 11 Sep
Under cover
20 Feb to 9 Oct
First harvest
About 41 days after sowing. Sown on 20 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 5 Mar to 5 May; Under cover 5 Feb to 2 Jun
Celery growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
5 Mar to 5 May
Under cover
5 Feb to 2 Jun
First harvest
About 133 days after sowing. Sown on 5 March, ready around 16 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.
Celery across the UK, town by town

Beans and peas

Runner beanOutdoors 21 May to 9 Jul; Under cover 23 Apr to 6 Aug
Runner bean growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
21 May to 9 Jul
Under cover
23 Apr to 6 Aug
First harvest
About 96 days after sowing. Sown on 21 May, ready around 25 August.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.
Runner bean across the UK, town by town
French beanOutdoors 21 May to 24 Jul; Under cover 23 Apr to 21 Aug
French bean growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
21 May to 24 Jul
Under cover
23 Apr to 21 Aug
First harvest
About 74 days after sowing. Sown on 21 May, ready around 3 August.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.
French bean across the UK, town by town
Broad beanOutdoors 27 Sep to 17 Nov; Under cover 30 Aug to 15 Dec
Broad bean growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
27 Sep to 17 Nov
Under cover
30 Aug to 15 Dec
First harvest
About 220 days after sowing. Sown on 27 September, ready around 5 May.
Warmth
Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.
Broad bean across the UK, town by town
PeaOutdoors 20 Mar to 23 Jun; Under cover 20 Feb to 21 Jul
Pea growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
20 Mar to 23 Jun
Under cover
20 Feb to 21 Jul
First harvest
About 82 days after sowing. Sown on 20 March, ready around 10 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Pea across the UK, town by town

Onion family

OnionOutdoors 14 Mar to 5 May; Under cover 14 Feb to 2 Jun
Onion growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
14 Mar to 5 May
Under cover
14 Feb to 2 Jun
First harvest
About 143 days after planting. Planted on 14 March, ready around 4 August.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Onion across the UK, town by town
GarlicOutdoors 27 Sep to 27 Nov; Under cover 30 Aug to 25 Dec
Garlic growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
27 Sep to 27 Nov
Under cover
30 Aug to 25 Dec
First harvest
About 250 days after planting. Planted on 27 September, ready around 4 June.
Warmth
Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.
Garlic across the UK, town by town
LeekOutdoors 20 Mar to 11 Jul; Under cover 20 Feb to 8 Aug
Leek growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
20 Mar to 11 Jul
Under cover
20 Feb to 8 Aug
First harvest
About 155 days after sowing. Sown on 20 March, ready around 22 August.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Leek across the UK, town by town
Spring onionOutdoors 5 Mar to 27 Aug; Under cover 5 Feb to 24 Sep
Spring onion growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
5 Mar to 27 Aug
Under cover
5 Feb to 24 Sep
First harvest
About 72 days after sowing. Sown on 5 March, ready around 16 May.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.
Spring onion across the UK, town by town
ShallotOutdoors 19 Feb to 5 May; Under cover 22 Jan to 2 Jun
Shallot growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
19 Feb to 5 May
Under cover
22 Jan to 2 Jun
First harvest
About 131 days after planting. Planted on 19 February, ready around 30 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.
Shallot across the UK, town by town

Brassicas

CabbageOutdoors 20 Mar to 1 Aug; Under cover 20 Feb to 29 Aug
Cabbage growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
20 Mar to 1 Aug
Under cover
20 Feb to 29 Aug
First harvest
About 112 days after sowing. Sown on 20 March, ready around 10 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Cabbage across the UK, town by town
BroccoliOutdoors 6 Apr to 11 Jul; Under cover 9 Mar to 8 Aug
Broccoli growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
6 Apr to 11 Jul
Under cover
9 Mar to 8 Aug
First harvest
About 91 days after sowing. Sown on 6 April, ready around 6 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Broccoli across the UK, town by town
CauliflowerOutdoors 20 Mar to 23 Jun; Under cover 20 Feb to 21 Jul
Cauliflower growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
20 Mar to 23 Jun
Under cover
20 Feb to 21 Jul
First harvest
About 123 days after sowing. Sown on 20 March, ready around 21 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Cauliflower across the UK, town by town
Brussels sproutOutdoors 20 Mar to 21 May; Under cover 20 Feb to 18 Jun
Brussels sprout growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
20 Mar to 21 May
Under cover
20 Feb to 18 Jun
First harvest
About 189 days after sowing. Sown on 20 March, ready around 25 September.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Brussels sprout across the UK, town by town
KaleOutdoors 6 Apr to 1 Aug; Under cover 9 Mar to 29 Aug
Kale growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
6 Apr to 1 Aug
Under cover
9 Mar to 29 Aug
First harvest
About 81 days after sowing. Sown on 6 April, ready around 26 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Kale across the UK, town by town
Pak choiOutdoors 20 Apr to 27 Aug; Under cover 23 Mar to 24 Sep
Pak choi growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
20 Apr to 27 Aug
Under cover
23 Mar to 24 Sep
First harvest
About 46 days after sowing. Sown on 20 April, ready around 5 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 8°C; bolts in hot weather.
Pak choi across the UK, town by town

Herbs

BasilOutdoors 20 Apr to 30 Jul; Under cover 23 Mar to 27 Aug
Basil growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
20 Apr to 30 Jul
Under cover
23 Mar to 27 Aug
First harvest
About 62 days after sowing. Sown on 20 April, ready around 21 June.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 8°C or more, and no frost.
Basil across the UK, town by town
ParsleyOutdoors 20 Mar to 10 Aug; Under cover 20 Feb to 7 Sep
Parsley growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
20 Mar to 10 Aug
Under cover
20 Feb to 7 Sep
First harvest
About 77 days after sowing. Sown on 20 March, ready around 5 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Parsley across the UK, town by town
CorianderOutdoors 6 Apr to 27 Aug; Under cover 9 Mar to 24 Sep
Coriander growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
6 Apr to 27 Aug
Under cover
9 Mar to 24 Sep
First harvest
About 51 days after sowing. Sown on 6 April, ready around 27 May.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 7°C; bolts in hot weather.
Coriander across the UK, town by town
ChivesOutdoors 20 Mar to 6 Jun; Under cover 20 Feb to 4 Jul
Chives growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
20 Mar to 6 Jun
Under cover
20 Feb to 4 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 6 Apr to 26 Sep; Under cover 9 Mar to 24 Oct
Mint growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
6 Apr to 26 Sep
Under cover
9 Mar to 24 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 20 Mar to 21 May; Under cover 20 Feb to 18 Jun
Strawberry growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
20 Mar to 21 May
Under cover
20 Feb to 18 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 29 Oct to 27 Dec; Under cover 1 Oct to 24 Jan
Raspberry growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
29 Oct to 27 Dec
Under cover
1 Oct to 24 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 12 Oct to 12 Dec; Under cover 14 Sep to 9 Jan
Rhubarb growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
12 Oct to 12 Dec
Under cover
14 Sep to 9 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 Darlington

When is the last frost in Darlington?

On average around 14 April, and the first autumn frost comes around 11 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 Darlington?

Yes. Plant them outdoors 27 May to 23 Jun, or under cover 29 Apr to 21 Jul.

What can I sow in Darlington 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 Darlington. 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