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 yearOutdoors
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.
| Crop | JJan | FFeb | MMar | AApr | MMay | JJun | JJul | AAug | SSep | OOct | NNov | DDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fruiting | ||||||||||||
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | ||||||||||||
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | ||||||||||||
| January: Not this month | February: Not this month | 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | ||||||||||||
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | ||||||||||||
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | ||||||||||||
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | ||||||||||||
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | ||||||||||||
| 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 | |
| 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: Not this month | October: Plant under cover | November: Plant outdoors and under cover | December: Plant outdoors and under cover | |
| 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 27 May to 23 Jun; Under cover 29 Apr to 21 Jul

- 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.
ChilliOutdoors 26 May to 20 Jun; Under cover 28 Apr to 18 Jul

- 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.
Sweet pepperOutdoors 31 May to 25 Jun; Under cover 3 May to 23 Jul

- 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.
AubergineOutdoors 31 May to 20 Jun; Under cover 3 May to 18 Jul

- 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.
CourgetteOutdoors 26 May to 11 Jul; Under cover 28 Apr to 8 Aug

- 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.
CucumberOutdoors 26 May to 11 Jul; Under cover 28 Apr to 8 Aug

- 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.
SquashOutdoors 26 May to 27 Jun; Under cover 28 Apr to 25 Jul

- 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.
SweetcornOutdoors 21 May to 28 Jun; Under cover 23 Apr to 26 Jul

- 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.
Roots
CarrotOutdoors 6 Apr to 1 Aug; Under cover 9 Mar to 29 Aug

- 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.
BeetrootOutdoors 6 Apr to 1 Aug; Under cover 9 Mar to 29 Aug

- 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.
ParsnipOutdoors 20 Mar to 6 Jun; Under cover 20 Feb to 4 Jul

- 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.
RadishOutdoors 20 Mar to 11 Sep; Under cover 20 Feb to 9 Oct

- 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.
PotatoOutdoors 20 Mar to 16 May; Under cover 20 Feb to 13 Jun

- 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.
TurnipOutdoors 20 Mar to 10 Aug; Under cover 20 Feb to 7 Sep

- 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.
Leaves
LettuceOutdoors 25 Mar to 5 Aug; Under cover 25 Feb to 2 Sep

- 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.
SpinachOutdoors 20 Mar to 11 Sep; Under cover 20 Feb to 9 Oct

- 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.
Swiss chardOutdoors 6 Apr to 10 Aug; Under cover 9 Mar to 7 Sep

- 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.
RocketOutdoors 20 Mar to 11 Sep; Under cover 20 Feb to 9 Oct

- 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.
CeleryOutdoors 5 Mar to 5 May; Under cover 5 Feb to 2 Jun

- 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.
Beans and peas
Runner beanOutdoors 21 May to 9 Jul; Under cover 23 Apr to 6 Aug

- 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.
French beanOutdoors 21 May to 24 Jul; Under cover 23 Apr to 21 Aug

- 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.
Broad beanOutdoors 27 Sep to 17 Nov; Under cover 30 Aug to 15 Dec

- 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.
PeaOutdoors 20 Mar to 23 Jun; Under cover 20 Feb to 21 Jul

- 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.
Onion family
OnionOutdoors 14 Mar to 5 May; Under cover 14 Feb to 2 Jun

- 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.
GarlicOutdoors 27 Sep to 27 Nov; Under cover 30 Aug to 25 Dec

- 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.
LeekOutdoors 20 Mar to 11 Jul; Under cover 20 Feb to 8 Aug

- 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.
Spring onionOutdoors 5 Mar to 27 Aug; Under cover 5 Feb to 24 Sep

- 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.
ShallotOutdoors 19 Feb to 5 May; Under cover 22 Jan to 2 Jun

- 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.
Brassicas
CabbageOutdoors 20 Mar to 1 Aug; Under cover 20 Feb to 29 Aug

- 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.
BroccoliOutdoors 6 Apr to 11 Jul; Under cover 9 Mar to 8 Aug

- 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.
CauliflowerOutdoors 20 Mar to 23 Jun; Under cover 20 Feb to 21 Jul

- 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.
Brussels sproutOutdoors 20 Mar to 21 May; Under cover 20 Feb to 18 Jun

- 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.
KaleOutdoors 6 Apr to 1 Aug; Under cover 9 Mar to 29 Aug

- 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.
Pak choiOutdoors 20 Apr to 27 Aug; Under cover 23 Mar to 24 Sep

- 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.
Herbs
BasilOutdoors 20 Apr to 30 Jul; Under cover 23 Mar to 27 Aug

- 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.
ParsleyOutdoors 20 Mar to 10 Aug; Under cover 20 Feb to 7 Sep

- 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.
CorianderOutdoors 6 Apr to 27 Aug; Under cover 9 Mar to 24 Sep

- 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.
ChivesOutdoors 20 Mar to 6 Jun; Under cover 20 Feb to 4 Jul

- 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.
MintOutdoors 6 Apr to 26 Sep; Under cover 9 Mar to 24 Oct

- 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.
Fruit
StrawberryOutdoors 20 Mar to 21 May; Under cover 20 Feb to 18 Jun

- 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.
RaspberryOutdoors 29 Oct to 27 Dec; Under cover 1 Oct to 24 Jan

- 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.
RhubarbOutdoors 12 Oct to 12 Dec; Under cover 14 Sep to 9 Jan

- 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.
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.
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
