Northern Ireland, UK
Planting calendar for Derry
Last frost around 19 March, first frost around 30 November: about 256 frost-free days.
- Last frost
- 19 March on average
- First frost
- 30 November on average
- Frost-free days
- 256 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 Derry. 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 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: Not this month | April: Not this month | May: Sow under cover | June: Sow under cover | July: Not this month | August: Not this month | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| January: Not this month | February: Not this month | March: Not this month | April: Not this month | May: Sow under cover | June: Sow under cover | July: Not this month | August: Not this month | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| January: Not this month | February: Not this month | March: Not this month | April: Not this month | May: Sow under cover | June: Sow under cover | July: Not this month | August: Not this month | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| 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 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: Not this month | April: Not this month | May: Sow under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover | July: Sow under cover | August: Not this month | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| Roots | ||||||||||||
| 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 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 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: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| Leaves | ||||||||||||
| 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 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: 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: Sow under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Not this month | July: Not this month | August: Not this month | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| Beans and peas | ||||||||||||
| 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: Not this month | June: Not this month | July: Not this month | August: Sow under cover | September: Sow outdoors and under cover | October: Sow outdoors and under cover | November: Sow outdoors and under cover | December: Sow under cover | |
| January: Not this month | February: Sow under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow under cover | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| Onion family | ||||||||||||
| January: Not this month | February: Plant under cover | March: Plant outdoors and under cover | April: Plant outdoors and under cover | May: Plant outdoors and under cover | June: Not this month | July: Not this month | August: Not this month | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| January: Not this month | February: Not this month | March: Not this month | April: Not this month | May: Not this month | June: Not this month | July: Not this month | August: Plant under cover | September: Plant outdoors and under cover | October: Plant outdoors and under cover | November: Plant outdoors and under cover | December: Plant under cover | |
| 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: Sow under cover | February: Sow outdoors and 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 outdoors and under cover | February: Plant outdoors and under cover | March: Plant outdoors and under cover | April: Plant outdoors and under cover | May: Plant outdoors and under cover | June: Not this month | July: Not this month | August: Not this month | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Plant under cover | |
| 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 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: 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 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: 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 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 | |
| January: Plant under cover | February: Not this month | March: Not this month | April: Not this month | May: Not this month | June: Not this month | July: Not this month | August: Not this month | September: Plant under cover | October: Plant outdoors and under cover | November: Plant outdoors and under cover | December: Plant outdoors and under cover | |
Fruit rows show when to plant, not sow.
Crop by crop
Fruiting
TomatoUnder cover 10 May to 10 Jun

- Sow outdoors
- Not here: season too short
- Under cover
- 10 May to 10 Jun
- First harvest
- About 83 days after sowing. Sown on 10 May, ready around 1 August.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
ChilliUnder cover 9 May to 10 Jun

- Sow outdoors
- Not here: season too short
- Under cover
- 9 May to 10 Jun
- First harvest
- About 86 days after sowing. Sown on 9 May, ready around 3 August.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Sweet pepperUnder cover 15 May to 16 Jun

- Sow outdoors
- Not here: season too short
- Under cover
- 15 May to 16 Jun
- First harvest
- About 80 days after sowing. Sown on 15 May, ready around 3 August.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
AubergineUnder cover 15 May to 10 Jun

- Sow outdoors
- Not here: season too short
- Under cover
- 15 May to 10 Jun
- First harvest
- About 90 days after sowing. Sown on 15 May, ready around 13 August.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
CourgetteOutdoors 2 Jun to 20 Jul; Under cover 5 May to 17 Aug

- Sow outdoors
- 2 Jun to 20 Jul
- Under cover
- 5 May to 17 Aug
- First harvest
- About 70 days after sowing. Sown on 2 June, ready around 11 August.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
CucumberOutdoors 2 Jun to 11 Jul; Under cover 5 May to 8 Aug

- Sow outdoors
- 2 Jun to 11 Jul
- Under cover
- 5 May to 8 Aug
- First harvest
- About 84 days after sowing. Sown on 2 June, ready around 25 August.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
SquashUnder cover 9 May to 16 Jun

- Sow outdoors
- Not here: season too short
- Under cover
- 9 May to 16 Jun
- First harvest
- About 84 days after sowing. Sown on 9 May, ready around 1 August.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
SweetcornOutdoors 27 May to 12 Jun; Under cover 29 Apr to 15 May, and 27 May to 12 Jun, and 24 Jun to 10 Jul

- Sow outdoors
- 27 May to 12 Jun
- Under cover
- 29 Apr to 15 May, and 27 May to 12 Jun, and 24 Jun to 10 Jul
- First harvest
- About 160 days after sowing. Sown on 27 May, ready around 3 November.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.
Roots
CarrotOutdoors 3 Apr to 1 Aug; Under cover 6 Mar to 29 Aug

- Sow outdoors
- 3 Apr to 1 Aug
- Under cover
- 6 Mar to 29 Aug
- First harvest
- About 111 days after sowing. Sown on 3 April, ready around 23 July.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
BeetrootOutdoors 3 Apr to 1 Aug; Under cover 6 Mar to 29 Aug

- Sow outdoors
- 3 Apr to 1 Aug
- Under cover
- 6 Mar to 29 Aug
- First harvest
- About 77 days after sowing. Sown on 3 April, ready around 19 June.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
ParsnipOutdoors 13 Mar to 18 Jun; Under cover 13 Feb to 16 Jul

- Sow outdoors
- 13 Mar to 18 Jun
- Under cover
- 13 Feb to 16 Jul
- First harvest
- About 148 days after sowing. Sown on 13 March, ready around 8 August.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
RadishOutdoors 13 Mar to 11 Sep; Under cover 13 Feb to 9 Oct

- Sow outdoors
- 13 Mar to 11 Sep
- Under cover
- 13 Feb to 9 Oct
- First harvest
- About 32 days after sowing. Sown on 13 March, ready around 14 April.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
PotatoOutdoors 13 Mar to 21 May; Under cover 13 Feb to 18 Jun

- Plant outdoors
- 13 Mar to 21 May
- Under cover
- 13 Feb to 18 Jun
- First harvest
- About 114 days after planting. Planted on 13 March, ready around 5 July.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
TurnipOutdoors 13 Mar to 8 Aug; Under cover 13 Feb to 5 Sep

- Sow outdoors
- 13 Mar to 8 Aug
- Under cover
- 13 Feb to 5 Sep
- First harvest
- About 68 days after sowing. Sown on 13 March, ready around 20 May.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Leaves
LettuceOutdoors 19 Mar to 3 Aug; Under cover 19 Feb to 31 Aug

- Sow outdoors
- 19 Mar to 3 Aug
- Under cover
- 19 Feb to 31 Aug
- First harvest
- About 79 days after sowing. Sown on 19 March, ready around 6 June.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
SpinachOutdoors 13 Mar to 14 Sep; Under cover 13 Feb to 12 Oct

- Sow outdoors
- 13 Mar to 14 Sep
- Under cover
- 13 Feb to 12 Oct
- First harvest
- About 51 days after sowing. Sown on 13 March, ready around 3 May.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Swiss chardOutdoors 3 Apr to 8 Aug; Under cover 6 Mar to 5 Sep

- Sow outdoors
- 3 Apr to 8 Aug
- Under cover
- 6 Mar to 5 Sep
- First harvest
- About 66 days after sowing. Sown on 3 April, ready around 8 June.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
RocketOutdoors 13 Mar to 13 Sep; Under cover 13 Feb to 11 Oct

- Sow outdoors
- 13 Mar to 13 Sep
- Under cover
- 13 Feb to 11 Oct
- First harvest
- About 46 days after sowing. Sown on 13 March, ready around 28 April.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
CeleryOutdoors 22 Feb to 8 May; Under cover 25 Jan to 5 Jun

- Sow outdoors
- 22 Feb to 8 May
- Under cover
- 25 Jan to 5 Jun
- First harvest
- About 152 days after sowing. Sown on 22 February, ready around 24 July.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.
Beans and peas
Runner beanOutdoors 27 May to 25 Jun; Under cover 29 Apr to 23 Jul

- Sow outdoors
- 27 May to 25 Jun
- Under cover
- 29 Apr to 23 Jul
- First harvest
- About 115 days after sowing. Sown on 27 May, ready around 19 September.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.
French beanOutdoors 27 May to 16 Jul; Under cover 29 Apr to 13 Aug

- Sow outdoors
- 27 May to 16 Jul
- Under cover
- 29 Apr to 13 Aug
- First harvest
- About 83 days after sowing. Sown on 27 May, ready around 18 August.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.
Broad beanOutdoors 20 Sep to 23 Nov; Under cover 23 Aug to 21 Dec

- Sow outdoors
- 20 Sep to 23 Nov
- Under cover
- 23 Aug to 21 Dec
- First harvest
- About 220 days after sowing. Sown on 20 September, ready around 28 April.
- Warmth
- Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.
PeaOutdoors 13 Mar to 17 Jul; Under cover 13 Feb to 14 Aug

- Sow outdoors
- 13 Mar to 17 Jul
- Under cover
- 13 Feb to 14 Aug
- First harvest
- About 91 days after sowing. Sown on 13 March, ready around 12 June.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Onion family
OnionOutdoors 7 Mar to 8 May; Under cover 7 Feb to 5 Jun

- Plant outdoors
- 7 Mar to 8 May
- Under cover
- 7 Feb to 5 Jun
- First harvest
- About 160 days after planting. Planted on 7 March, ready around 14 August.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
GarlicOutdoors 20 Sep to 6 Dec; Under cover 23 Aug to 3 Jan

- Plant outdoors
- 20 Sep to 6 Dec
- Under cover
- 23 Aug to 3 Jan
- First harvest
- About 250 days after planting. Planted on 20 September, ready around 28 May.
- Warmth
- Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.
LeekOutdoors 13 Mar to 29 Jul; Under cover 13 Feb to 26 Aug

- Sow outdoors
- 13 Mar to 29 Jul
- Under cover
- 13 Feb to 26 Aug
- First harvest
- About 172 days after sowing. Sown on 13 March, ready around 1 September.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Spring onionOutdoors 22 Feb to 30 Aug; Under cover 25 Jan to 27 Sep

- Sow outdoors
- 22 Feb to 30 Aug
- Under cover
- 25 Jan to 27 Sep
- First harvest
- About 83 days after sowing. Sown on 22 February, ready around 16 May.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.
ShallotOutdoors 21 Jan to 8 May; Under cover 24 Dec to 5 Jun

- Plant outdoors
- 21 Jan to 8 May
- Under cover
- 24 Dec to 5 Jun
- First harvest
- About 172 days after planting. Planted on 21 January, ready around 12 July.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.
Brassicas
CabbageOutdoors 13 Mar to 1 Aug; Under cover 13 Feb to 29 Aug

- Sow outdoors
- 13 Mar to 1 Aug
- Under cover
- 13 Feb to 29 Aug
- First harvest
- About 125 days after sowing. Sown on 13 March, ready around 16 July.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
BroccoliOutdoors 3 Apr to 1 Aug; Under cover 6 Mar to 29 Aug

- Sow outdoors
- 3 Apr to 1 Aug
- Under cover
- 6 Mar to 29 Aug
- First harvest
- About 100 days after sowing. Sown on 3 April, ready around 12 July.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
CauliflowerOutdoors 13 Mar to 17 Jul; Under cover 13 Feb to 14 Aug

- Sow outdoors
- 13 Mar to 17 Jul
- Under cover
- 13 Feb to 14 Aug
- First harvest
- About 137 days after sowing. Sown on 13 March, ready around 28 July.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Brussels sproutOutdoors 13 Mar to 27 May; Under cover 13 Feb to 24 Jun

- Sow outdoors
- 13 Mar to 27 May
- Under cover
- 13 Feb to 24 Jun
- First harvest
- About 210 days after sowing. Sown on 13 March, ready around 9 October.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
KaleOutdoors 3 Apr to 1 Aug; Under cover 6 Mar to 29 Aug

- Sow outdoors
- 3 Apr to 1 Aug
- Under cover
- 6 Mar to 29 Aug
- First harvest
- About 88 days after sowing. Sown on 3 April, ready around 30 June.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Pak choiOutdoors 20 Apr to 26 Aug; Under cover 23 Mar to 23 Sep

- Sow outdoors
- 20 Apr to 26 Aug
- Under cover
- 23 Mar to 23 Sep
- First harvest
- About 49 days after sowing. Sown on 20 April, ready around 8 June.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 8°C; bolts in hot weather.
Herbs
BasilOutdoors 20 Apr to 22 Jul; Under cover 23 Mar to 19 Aug

- Sow outdoors
- 20 Apr to 22 Jul
- Under cover
- 23 Mar to 19 Aug
- First harvest
- About 71 days after sowing. Sown on 20 April, ready around 30 June.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 8°C or more, and no frost.
ParsleyOutdoors 13 Mar to 11 Aug; Under cover 13 Feb to 8 Sep

- Sow outdoors
- 13 Mar to 11 Aug
- Under cover
- 13 Feb to 8 Sep
- First harvest
- About 85 days after sowing. Sown on 13 March, ready around 6 June.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
CorianderOutdoors 3 Apr to 27 Aug; Under cover 6 Mar to 24 Sep

- Sow outdoors
- 3 Apr to 27 Aug
- Under cover
- 6 Mar to 24 Sep
- First harvest
- About 55 days after sowing. Sown on 3 April, ready around 28 May.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 7°C; bolts in hot weather.
ChivesOutdoors 13 Mar to 18 Jun; Under cover 13 Feb to 16 Jul

- Sow outdoors
- 13 Mar to 18 Jun
- Under cover
- 13 Feb to 16 Jul
- First harvest
- Crops every year once it’s established.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
MintOutdoors 3 Apr to 5 Oct; Under cover 6 Mar to 2 Nov

- Sow outdoors
- 3 Apr to 5 Oct
- Under cover
- 6 Mar to 2 Nov
- First harvest
- Crops every year once it’s established.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Fruit
StrawberryOutdoors 13 Mar to 27 May; Under cover 13 Feb to 24 Jun

- Plant outdoors
- 13 Mar to 27 May
- Under cover
- 13 Feb to 24 Jun
- First harvest
- Crops every year once it’s established.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
RaspberryOutdoors 30 Oct to 20 Jan; Under cover 2 Oct to 17 Feb

- Plant outdoors
- 30 Oct to 20 Jan
- Under cover
- 2 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.
RhubarbOutdoors 9 Oct to 28 Dec; Under cover 11 Sep to 25 Jan

- Plant outdoors
- 9 Oct to 28 Dec
- Under cover
- 11 Sep to 25 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 Derry
When is the last frost in Derry?
On average around 19 March, and the first autumn frost comes around 30 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 Derry?
Not reliably: the season too short. Sow them under cover 10 May to 10 Jun, then grow them on under cover or plant out once frost has passed.
What can I sow in Derry 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
