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Scotland, UK

Planting calendar for Elgin

Last frost around 7 April, first frost around 25 November: about 232 frost-free days.

Last frost
7 April
on average
First frost
25 November
on average
Frost-free days
232
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 Elgin. 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 Elgin, month by month. Each month says whether you can sow outdoors, under cover, or both.
CropJJanFFebMMarAAprMMayJJunJJulAAugSSepOOctNNovDDec
Fruiting
TomatoUnder cover onlyJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Not this monthApril: Not this monthMay: Sow under coverJune: Not this monthJuly: Not this monthAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
ChilliUnder cover onlyJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Not this monthApril: Not this monthMay: Sow under coverJune: Not this monthJuly: Not this monthAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
Sweet pepperUnder cover onlyJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Not this monthApril: Not this monthMay: Sow under coverJune: Sow under coverJuly: Not this monthAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
AubergineUnder cover onlyJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Not this monthApril: Not this monthMay: Sow under coverJune: Not this monthJuly: Not this monthAugust: 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: Not this monthSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
SquashUnder cover onlyJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Not this monthApril: Not this monthMay: Sow under coverJune: Sow under coverJuly: Not this monthAugust: 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: Not this monthMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Not this monthAugust: 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 outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow under coverAugust: 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 under coverOctober: Not this monthNovember: 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 under coverSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
Leaves
LettuceJanuary: 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
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: Not this monthNovember: 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 under coverSeptember: Not this monthOctober: 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: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
CeleryJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Sow under coverMarch: Sow outdoors and under coverApril: Sow outdoors and under coverMay: Sow outdoors and 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: Not this monthMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow under coverAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
French beanJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Not this monthApril: Not this monthMay: 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: Sow under coverSeptember: Sow outdoors and 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 outdoors and 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: Plant under coverSeptember: Plant outdoors and 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 outdoors and 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: Not this monthApril: 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: Not this monthApril: 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 under coverSeptember: Not this monthOctober: 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 outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow under coverAugust: 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

TomatoUnder cover 10 May to 6 Jun
Tomato growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
Not here: season too short
Under cover
10 May to 6 Jun
First harvest
About 85 days after sowing. Sown on 10 May, ready around 3 August.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Tomato across the UK, town by town
ChilliUnder cover 9 May to 6 Jun
Chilli growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
Not here: season too short
Under cover
9 May to 6 Jun
First harvest
About 89 days after sowing. Sown on 9 May, ready around 6 August.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Chilli across the UK, town by town
Sweet pepperUnder cover 15 May to 11 Jun
Sweet pepper growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
Not here: season too short
Under cover
15 May to 11 Jun
First harvest
About 83 days after sowing. Sown on 15 May, ready around 6 August.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Sweet pepper across the UK, town by town
AubergineUnder cover 15 May to 6 Jun
Aubergine growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
Not here: season too short
Under cover
15 May to 6 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.
Aubergine across the UK, town by town
CourgetteOutdoors 31 May to 18 Jul; Under cover 3 May to 15 Aug
Courgette growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
31 May to 18 Jul
Under cover
3 May to 15 Aug
First harvest
About 67 days after sowing. Sown on 31 May, ready around 6 August.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Courgette across the UK, town by town
CucumberOutdoors 31 May to 8 Jul; Under cover 3 May to 5 Aug
Cucumber growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
31 May to 8 Jul
Under cover
3 May to 5 Aug
First harvest
About 80 days after sowing. Sown on 31 May, ready around 19 August.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Cucumber across the UK, town by town
SquashUnder cover 9 May to 11 Jun
Squash growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
Not here: season too short
Under cover
9 May to 11 Jun
First harvest
About 85 days after sowing. Sown on 9 May, ready around 2 August.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Squash across the UK, town by town
SweetcornOutdoors 25 May to 8 Jun; Under cover 27 Apr to 11 May, and 25 May to 8 Jun, and 22 Jun to 6 Jul
Sweetcorn growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
25 May to 8 Jun
Under cover
27 Apr to 11 May, and 25 May to 8 Jun, and 22 Jun to 6 Jul
First harvest
About 138 days after sowing. Sown on 25 May, ready around 10 October.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.
Sweetcorn across the UK, town by town

Roots

CarrotOutdoors 8 Apr to 31 Jul; Under cover 11 Mar to 28 Aug
Carrot growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
8 Apr to 31 Jul
Under cover
11 Mar to 28 Aug
First harvest
About 105 days after sowing. Sown on 8 April, ready around 22 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Carrot across the UK, town by town
BeetrootOutdoors 8 Apr to 31 Jul; Under cover 11 Mar to 28 Aug
Beetroot growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
8 Apr to 31 Jul
Under cover
11 Mar to 28 Aug
First harvest
About 73 days after sowing. Sown on 8 April, ready around 20 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Beetroot across the UK, town by town
ParsnipOutdoors 21 Mar to 13 Jun; Under cover 21 Feb to 11 Jul
Parsnip growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
21 Mar to 13 Jun
Under cover
21 Feb to 11 Jul
First harvest
About 137 days after sowing. Sown on 21 March, ready around 5 August.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Parsnip across the UK, town by town
RadishOutdoors 21 Mar to 6 Sep; Under cover 21 Feb to 4 Oct
Radish growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
21 Mar to 6 Sep
Under cover
21 Feb to 4 Oct
First harvest
About 29 days after sowing. Sown on 21 March, ready around 19 April.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Radish across the UK, town by town
PotatoOutdoors 21 Mar to 20 May; Under cover 21 Feb to 17 Jun
Potato growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
21 Mar to 20 May
Under cover
21 Feb to 17 Jun
First harvest
About 104 days after planting. Planted on 21 March, ready around 3 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Potato across the UK, town by town
TurnipOutdoors 21 Mar to 3 Aug; Under cover 21 Feb to 31 Aug
Turnip growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
21 Mar to 3 Aug
Under cover
21 Feb to 31 Aug
First harvest
About 62 days after sowing. Sown on 21 March, ready around 22 May.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Turnip across the UK, town by town

Leaves

LettuceOutdoors 27 Mar to 31 Jul; Under cover 27 Feb to 28 Aug
Lettuce growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
27 Mar to 31 Jul
Under cover
27 Feb to 28 Aug
First harvest
About 73 days after sowing. Sown on 27 March, ready around 8 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Lettuce across the UK, town by town
SpinachOutdoors 21 Mar to 7 Sep; Under cover 21 Feb to 5 Oct
Spinach growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
21 Mar to 7 Sep
Under cover
21 Feb to 5 Oct
First harvest
About 47 days after sowing. Sown on 21 March, ready around 7 May.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Spinach across the UK, town by town
Swiss chardOutdoors 8 Apr to 3 Aug; Under cover 11 Mar to 31 Aug
Swiss chard growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
8 Apr to 3 Aug
Under cover
11 Mar to 31 Aug
First harvest
About 62 days after sowing. Sown on 8 April, ready around 9 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Swiss chard across the UK, town by town
RocketOutdoors 21 Mar to 7 Sep; Under cover 21 Feb to 5 Oct
Rocket growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
21 Mar to 7 Sep
Under cover
21 Feb to 5 Oct
First harvest
About 42 days after sowing. Sown on 21 March, ready around 2 May.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Rocket across the UK, town by town
CeleryOutdoors 7 Mar to 9 May; Under cover 7 Feb to 6 Jun
Celery growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
7 Mar to 9 May
Under cover
7 Feb to 6 Jun
First harvest
About 136 days after sowing. Sown on 7 March, ready around 21 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.
Celery across the UK, town by town

Beans and peas

Runner beanOutdoors 25 May to 23 Jun; Under cover 27 Apr to 21 Jul
Runner bean growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
25 May to 23 Jun
Under cover
27 Apr to 21 Jul
First harvest
About 108 days after sowing. Sown on 25 May, ready around 10 September.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.
Runner bean across the UK, town by town
French beanOutdoors 25 May to 13 Jul; Under cover 27 Apr to 10 Aug
French bean growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
25 May to 13 Jul
Under cover
27 Apr to 10 Aug
First harvest
About 79 days after sowing. Sown on 25 May, ready around 12 August.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.
French bean across the UK, town by town
Broad beanOutdoors 22 Sep to 15 Nov; Under cover 25 Aug to 13 Dec
Broad bean growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
22 Sep to 15 Nov
Under cover
25 Aug to 13 Dec
First harvest
About 220 days after sowing. Sown on 22 September, ready around 30 April.
Warmth
Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.
Broad bean across the UK, town by town
PeaOutdoors 21 Mar to 3 Jul; Under cover 21 Feb to 31 Jul
Pea growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
21 Mar to 3 Jul
Under cover
21 Feb to 31 Jul
First harvest
About 83 days after sowing. Sown on 21 March, ready around 12 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Pea across the UK, town by town

Onion family

OnionOutdoors 16 Mar to 9 May; Under cover 16 Feb to 6 Jun
Onion growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
16 Mar to 9 May
Under cover
16 Feb to 6 Jun
First harvest
About 148 days after planting. Planted on 16 March, ready around 11 August.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Onion across the UK, town by town
GarlicOutdoors 22 Sep to 26 Nov; Under cover 25 Aug to 24 Dec
Garlic growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
22 Sep to 26 Nov
Under cover
25 Aug to 24 Dec
First harvest
About 250 days after planting. Planted on 22 September, ready around 30 May.
Warmth
Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.
Garlic across the UK, town by town
LeekOutdoors 21 Mar to 21 Jul; Under cover 21 Feb to 18 Aug
Leek growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
21 Mar to 21 Jul
Under cover
21 Feb to 18 Aug
First harvest
About 161 days after sowing. Sown on 21 March, ready around 29 August.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Leek across the UK, town by town
Spring onionOutdoors 7 Mar to 23 Aug; Under cover 7 Feb to 20 Sep
Spring onion growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
7 Mar to 23 Aug
Under cover
7 Feb to 20 Sep
First harvest
About 72 days after sowing. Sown on 7 March, ready around 18 May.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.
Spring onion across the UK, town by town
ShallotOutdoors 20 Feb to 9 May; Under cover 23 Jan to 6 Jun
Shallot growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
20 Feb to 9 May
Under cover
23 Jan to 6 Jun
First harvest
About 135 days after planting. Planted on 20 February, ready around 5 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.
Shallot across the UK, town by town

Brassicas

CabbageOutdoors 21 Mar to 31 Jul; Under cover 21 Feb to 28 Aug
Cabbage growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
21 Mar to 31 Jul
Under cover
21 Feb to 28 Aug
First harvest
About 115 days after sowing. Sown on 21 March, ready around 14 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Cabbage across the UK, town by town
BroccoliOutdoors 8 Apr to 31 Jul; Under cover 11 Mar to 28 Aug
Broccoli growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
8 Apr to 31 Jul
Under cover
11 Mar to 28 Aug
First harvest
About 94 days after sowing. Sown on 8 April, ready around 11 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Broccoli across the UK, town by town
CauliflowerOutdoors 21 Mar to 3 Jul; Under cover 21 Feb to 31 Jul
Cauliflower growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
21 Mar to 3 Jul
Under cover
21 Feb to 31 Jul
First harvest
About 126 days after sowing. Sown on 21 March, ready around 25 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Cauliflower across the UK, town by town
Brussels sproutOutdoors 21 Mar to 25 May; Under cover 21 Feb to 22 Jun
Brussels sprout growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
21 Mar to 25 May
Under cover
21 Feb to 22 Jun
First harvest
About 202 days after sowing. Sown on 21 March, ready around 9 October.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Brussels sprout across the UK, town by town
KaleOutdoors 8 Apr to 31 Jul; Under cover 11 Mar to 28 Aug
Kale growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
8 Apr to 31 Jul
Under cover
11 Mar to 28 Aug
First harvest
About 83 days after sowing. Sown on 8 April, ready around 30 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Kale across the UK, town by town
Pak choiOutdoors 23 Apr to 21 Aug; Under cover 26 Mar to 18 Sep
Pak choi growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
23 Apr to 21 Aug
Under cover
26 Mar to 18 Sep
First harvest
About 47 days after sowing. Sown on 23 April, ready around 9 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 8°C; bolts in hot weather.
Pak choi across the UK, town by town

Herbs

BasilOutdoors 23 Apr to 20 Jul; Under cover 26 Mar to 17 Aug
Basil growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
23 Apr to 20 Jul
Under cover
26 Mar to 17 Aug
First harvest
About 64 days after sowing. Sown on 23 April, ready around 26 June.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 8°C or more, and no frost.
Basil across the UK, town by town
ParsleyOutdoors 21 Mar to 5 Aug; Under cover 21 Feb to 2 Sep
Parsley growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
21 Mar to 5 Aug
Under cover
21 Feb to 2 Sep
First harvest
About 78 days after sowing. Sown on 21 March, ready around 7 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Parsley across the UK, town by town
CorianderOutdoors 8 Apr to 21 Aug; Under cover 11 Mar to 18 Sep
Coriander growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
8 Apr to 21 Aug
Under cover
11 Mar to 18 Sep
First harvest
About 52 days after sowing. Sown on 8 April, ready around 30 May.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 7°C; bolts in hot weather.
Coriander across the UK, town by town
ChivesOutdoors 21 Mar to 13 Jun; Under cover 21 Feb to 11 Jul
Chives growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
21 Mar to 13 Jun
Under cover
21 Feb to 11 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 8 Apr to 23 Sep; Under cover 11 Mar to 21 Oct
Mint growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
8 Apr to 23 Sep
Under cover
11 Mar to 21 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 21 Mar to 25 May; Under cover 21 Feb to 22 Jun
Strawberry growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
21 Mar to 25 May
Under cover
21 Feb to 22 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 26 Oct to 26 Dec; Under cover 28 Sep to 23 Jan
Raspberry growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
26 Oct to 26 Dec
Under cover
28 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.
Raspberry across the UK, town by town
RhubarbOutdoors 8 Oct to 11 Dec; Under cover 10 Sep to 8 Jan
Rhubarb growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
8 Oct to 11 Dec
Under cover
10 Sep to 8 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 Elgin

When is the last frost in Elgin?

On average around 7 April, and the first autumn frost comes around 25 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 Elgin?

Not reliably: the season too short. Sow them under cover 10 May to 6 Jun, then grow them on under cover or plant out once frost has passed.

What can I sow in Elgin 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 Elgin. 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