England, UK

Planting calendar for Houghton-Le-Spring

Last frost around 11 April, first frost around 20 November: about 223 frost-free days.

Last frost: 11 April
First frost: 20 November
Frost-free days: 223

Sow now: November

See the whole year

Outdoors

Broad bean
Garlic
Raspberry
Rhubarb

Under cover

Nothing this month.

The year at a glance

When each crop can be sown in Houghton-Le-Spring. 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 Houghton-Le-Spring, month by month. Each month says whether you can sow outdoors, under cover, or both.
Crop	JJan	FFeb	MMar	AApr	MMay	JJun	JJul	AAug	SSep	OOct	NNov	DDec
Fruiting
Tomato	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Sow under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow under cover	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Chilli	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: 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
Sweet pepper	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Sow under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow under cover	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Aubergine	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Sow under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow under cover	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Courgette	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: 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
Cucumber	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
Squash	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
Sweetcorn	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow under cover	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Roots
Carrot	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Sow under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Beetroot	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Sow under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Parsnip	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow 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
Radish	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow under cover	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Potato	January: Not this month	February: Plant under cover	March: Plant outdoors and under cover	April: Plant outdoors and under cover	May: Plant outdoors and under cover	June: Plant under cover	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Turnip	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Leaves
Lettuce	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
Spinach	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow under cover	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Swiss chard	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Sow under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Rocket	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow under cover	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Celery	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow 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
Runner bean	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow under cover	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
French bean	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Broad bean	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Sow under cover	October: Sow outdoors and under cover	November: Sow outdoors and under cover	December: Sow under cover
Pea	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow under cover	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Onion family
Onion	January: Not this month	February: Plant under cover	March: Plant outdoors and under cover	April: Plant outdoors and under cover	May: Plant 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
Garlic	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Plant under cover	October: Plant outdoors and under cover	November: Plant outdoors and under cover	December: Plant under cover
Leek	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Spring onion	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow under cover	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Shallot	January: Plant under cover	February: Plant outdoors and under cover	March: Plant outdoors and under cover	April: Plant outdoors and under cover	May: Plant 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
Brassicas
Cabbage	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Broccoli	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Sow under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Cauliflower	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow under cover	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Brussels sprout	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow under cover	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Kale	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Sow under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Pak choi	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow under cover	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Herbs
Basil	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Parsley	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Coriander	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Sow under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow under cover	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Chives	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow 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
Mint	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Sow under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow under cover	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Fruit
Strawberry	January: Not this month	February: Plant under cover	March: Plant outdoors and under cover	April: Plant outdoors and under cover	May: Plant outdoors and under cover	June: Plant under cover	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Raspberry	January: Plant 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
Rhubarb	January: Plant under cover	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Plant under cover	October: Plant outdoors and under cover	November: Plant outdoors and under cover	December: Plant outdoors and under cover

Fruit rows show when to plant, not sow.

Crop by crop

Fruiting

TomatoOutdoors 31 May to 16 Jun; Under cover 3 May to 19 May, and 31 May to 16 Jun, and 28 Jun to 14 Jul

Sow outdoors: 31 May to 16 Jun
Under cover: 3 May to 19 May, and 31 May to 16 Jun, and 28 Jun to 14 Jul
First harvest: About 176 days after sowing. Sown on 31 May, ready around 23 November.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Tomato across the UK, town by town

ChilliOutdoors 29 May to 11 Jun; Under cover 1 May to 14 May, and 29 May to 11 Jun, and 26 Jun to 9 Jul

Sow outdoors: 29 May to 11 Jun
Under cover: 1 May to 14 May, and 29 May to 11 Jun, and 26 Jun to 9 Jul
First harvest: About 224 days after sowing. Sown on 29 May, ready around 8 January.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Chilli across the UK, town by town

Sweet pepperOutdoors 4 Jun to 17 Jun; Under cover 7 May to 20 May, and 4 Jun to 17 Jun, and 2 Jul to 15 Jul

Sow outdoors: 4 Jun to 17 Jun
Under cover: 7 May to 20 May, and 4 Jun to 17 Jun, and 2 Jul to 15 Jul
First harvest: About 208 days after sowing. Sown on 4 June, ready around 29 December.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Sweet pepper across the UK, town by town

AubergineOutdoors 4 Jun to 11 Jun; Under cover 7 May to 14 May, and 4 Jun to 11 Jun, and 2 Jul to 9 Jul

Sow outdoors: 4 Jun to 11 Jun
Under cover: 7 May to 14 May, and 4 Jun to 11 Jun, and 2 Jul to 9 Jul
First harvest: About 240 days after sowing. Sown on 4 June, ready around 30 January.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Aubergine across the UK, town by town

CourgetteOutdoors 29 May to 21 Jul; Under cover 1 May to 18 Aug

Sow outdoors: 29 May to 21 Jul
Under cover: 1 May to 18 Aug
First harvest: About 64 days after sowing. Sown on 29 May, ready around 1 August.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Courgette across the UK, town by town

CucumberOutdoors 29 May to 17 Jul; Under cover 1 May to 14 Aug

Sow outdoors: 29 May to 17 Jul
Under cover: 1 May to 14 Aug
First harvest: About 76 days after sowing. Sown on 29 May, ready around 13 August.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Cucumber across the UK, town by town

SquashOutdoors 29 May to 19 Jun; Under cover 1 May to 17 Jul

Sow outdoors: 29 May to 19 Jun
Under cover: 1 May to 17 Jul
First harvest: About 176 days after sowing. Sown on 29 May, ready around 21 November.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Squash across the UK, town by town

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

Sow outdoors: 24 May to 24 Jun
Under cover: 26 Apr to 22 Jul
First harvest: About 115 days after sowing. Sown on 24 May, ready around 16 September.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.

Sweetcorn across the UK, town by town

Roots

CarrotOutdoors 9 Apr to 2 Aug; Under cover 12 Mar to 30 Aug

Sow outdoors: 9 Apr to 2 Aug
Under cover: 12 Mar to 30 Aug
First harvest: About 103 days after sowing. Sown on 9 April, ready around 21 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Carrot across the UK, town by town

BeetrootOutdoors 9 Apr to 2 Aug; Under cover 12 Mar to 30 Aug

Sow outdoors: 9 Apr to 2 Aug
Under cover: 12 Mar to 30 Aug
First harvest: About 72 days after sowing. Sown on 9 April, ready around 20 June.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Beetroot across the UK, town by town

ParsnipOutdoors 22 Mar to 10 Jun; Under cover 22 Feb to 8 Jul

Sow outdoors: 22 Mar to 10 Jun
Under cover: 22 Feb to 8 Jul
First harvest: About 134 days after sowing. Sown on 22 March, ready around 3 August.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Parsnip across the UK, town by town

RadishOutdoors 22 Mar to 10 Sep; Under cover 22 Feb to 8 Oct

Sow outdoors: 22 Mar to 10 Sep
Under cover: 22 Feb to 8 Oct
First harvest: About 29 days after sowing. Sown on 22 March, ready around 20 April.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Radish across the UK, town by town

PotatoOutdoors 22 Mar to 19 May; Under cover 22 Feb to 16 Jun

Plant outdoors: 22 Mar to 19 May
Under cover: 22 Feb to 16 Jun
First harvest: About 103 days after planting. Planted on 22 March, ready around 3 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Potato across the UK, town by town

TurnipOutdoors 22 Mar to 8 Aug; Under cover 22 Feb to 5 Sep

Sow outdoors: 22 Mar to 8 Aug
Under cover: 22 Feb to 5 Sep
First harvest: About 62 days after sowing. Sown on 22 March, ready around 23 May.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Turnip across the UK, town by town

Leaves

LettuceOutdoors 27 Mar to 3 Aug; Under cover 27 Feb to 31 Aug

Sow outdoors: 27 Mar to 3 Aug
Under cover: 27 Feb to 31 Aug
First harvest: About 72 days after sowing. Sown on 27 March, ready around 7 June.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Lettuce across the UK, town by town

SpinachOutdoors 22 Mar to 11 Sep; Under cover 22 Feb to 9 Oct

Sow outdoors: 22 Mar to 11 Sep
Under cover: 22 Feb to 9 Oct
First harvest: About 46 days after sowing. Sown on 22 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 9 Apr to 8 Aug; Under cover 12 Mar to 5 Sep

Sow outdoors: 9 Apr to 8 Aug
Under cover: 12 Mar to 5 Sep
First harvest: About 62 days after sowing. Sown on 9 April, ready around 10 June.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Swiss chard across the UK, town by town

RocketOutdoors 22 Mar to 10 Sep; Under cover 22 Feb to 8 Oct

Sow outdoors: 22 Mar to 10 Sep
Under cover: 22 Feb to 8 Oct
First harvest: About 41 days after sowing. Sown on 22 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

Sow outdoors: 7 Mar to 9 May
Under cover: 7 Feb to 6 Jun
First harvest: About 134 days after sowing. Sown on 7 March, ready around 19 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.

Celery across the UK, town by town

Beans and peas

Runner beanOutdoors 24 May to 4 Jul; Under cover 26 Apr to 1 Aug

Sow outdoors: 24 May to 4 Jul
Under cover: 26 Apr to 1 Aug
First harvest: About 100 days after sowing. Sown on 24 May, ready around 1 September.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.

Runner bean across the UK, town by town

French beanOutdoors 24 May to 21 Jul; Under cover 26 Apr to 18 Aug

Sow outdoors: 24 May to 21 Jul
Under cover: 26 Apr to 18 Aug
First harvest: About 75 days after sowing. Sown on 24 May, ready around 7 August.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.

French bean across the UK, town by town

Broad beanOutdoors 26 Sep to 18 Nov; Under cover 29 Aug to 16 Dec

Sow outdoors: 26 Sep to 18 Nov
Under cover: 29 Aug to 16 Dec
First harvest: About 220 days after sowing. Sown on 26 September, ready around 4 May.
Warmth: Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.

Broad bean across the UK, town by town

PeaOutdoors 22 Mar to 28 Jun; Under cover 22 Feb to 26 Jul

Sow outdoors: 22 Mar to 28 Jun
Under cover: 22 Feb to 26 Jul
First harvest: About 82 days after sowing. Sown on 22 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

Plant outdoors: 16 Mar to 9 May
Under cover: 16 Feb to 6 Jun
First harvest: About 146 days after planting. Planted on 16 March, ready around 9 August.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Onion across the UK, town by town

GarlicOutdoors 26 Sep to 29 Nov; Under cover 29 Aug to 27 Dec

Plant outdoors: 26 Sep to 29 Nov
Under cover: 29 Aug to 27 Dec
First harvest: About 250 days after planting. Planted on 26 September, ready around 3 June.
Warmth: Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.

Garlic across the UK, town by town

LeekOutdoors 22 Mar to 21 Jul; Under cover 22 Feb to 18 Aug

Sow outdoors: 22 Mar to 21 Jul
Under cover: 22 Feb to 18 Aug
First harvest: About 156 days after sowing. Sown on 22 March, ready around 25 August.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Leek across the UK, town by town

Spring onionOutdoors 7 Mar to 26 Aug; Under cover 7 Feb to 23 Sep

Sow outdoors: 7 Mar to 26 Aug
Under cover: 7 Feb to 23 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 19 Feb to 9 May; Under cover 22 Jan to 6 Jun

Plant outdoors: 19 Feb to 9 May
Under cover: 22 Jan to 6 Jun
First harvest: About 135 days after planting. Planted on 19 February, ready around 4 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.

Shallot across the UK, town by town

Brassicas

CabbageOutdoors 22 Mar to 2 Aug; Under cover 22 Feb to 30 Aug

Sow outdoors: 22 Mar to 2 Aug
Under cover: 22 Feb to 30 Aug
First harvest: About 113 days after sowing. Sown on 22 March, ready around 13 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Cabbage across the UK, town by town

BroccoliOutdoors 9 Apr to 21 Jul; Under cover 12 Mar to 18 Aug

Sow outdoors: 9 Apr to 21 Jul
Under cover: 12 Mar to 18 Aug
First harvest: About 93 days after sowing. Sown on 9 April, ready around 11 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Broccoli across the UK, town by town

CauliflowerOutdoors 22 Mar to 28 Jun; Under cover 22 Feb to 26 Jul

Sow outdoors: 22 Mar to 28 Jun
Under cover: 22 Feb to 26 Jul
First harvest: About 124 days after sowing. Sown on 22 March, ready around 24 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Cauliflower across the UK, town by town

Brussels sproutOutdoors 22 Mar to 24 May; Under cover 22 Feb to 21 Jun

Sow outdoors: 22 Mar to 24 May
Under cover: 22 Feb to 21 Jun
First harvest: About 193 days after sowing. Sown on 22 March, ready around 1 October.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Brussels sprout across the UK, town by town

KaleOutdoors 9 Apr to 2 Aug; Under cover 12 Mar to 30 Aug

Sow outdoors: 9 Apr to 2 Aug
Under cover: 12 Mar to 30 Aug
First harvest: About 82 days after sowing. Sown on 9 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 25 Aug; Under cover 26 Mar to 22 Sep

Sow outdoors: 23 Apr to 25 Aug
Under cover: 26 Mar to 22 Sep
First harvest: About 46 days after sowing. Sown on 23 April, ready around 8 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 27 Jul; Under cover 26 Mar to 24 Aug

Sow outdoors: 23 Apr to 27 Jul
Under cover: 26 Mar to 24 Aug
First harvest: About 62 days after sowing. Sown on 23 April, ready around 24 June.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 8°C or more, and no frost.

Basil across the UK, town by town

ParsleyOutdoors 22 Mar to 9 Aug; Under cover 22 Feb to 6 Sep

Sow outdoors: 22 Mar to 9 Aug
Under cover: 22 Feb to 6 Sep
First harvest: About 77 days after sowing. Sown on 22 March, ready around 7 June.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Parsley across the UK, town by town

CorianderOutdoors 9 Apr to 26 Aug; Under cover 12 Mar to 23 Sep

Sow outdoors: 9 Apr to 26 Aug
Under cover: 12 Mar to 23 Sep
First harvest: About 52 days after sowing. Sown on 9 April, ready around 31 May.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C; bolts in hot weather.

Coriander across the UK, town by town

ChivesOutdoors 22 Mar to 10 Jun; Under cover 22 Feb to 8 Jul

Sow outdoors: 22 Mar to 10 Jun
Under cover: 22 Feb to 8 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 9 Apr to 27 Sep; Under cover 12 Mar to 25 Oct

Sow outdoors: 9 Apr to 27 Sep
Under cover: 12 Mar to 25 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 22 Mar to 24 May; Under cover 22 Feb to 21 Jun

Plant outdoors: 22 Mar to 24 May
Under cover: 22 Feb to 21 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 1 Jan; Under cover 1 Oct to 29 Jan

Plant outdoors: 29 Oct to 1 Jan
Under cover: 1 Oct to 29 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 11 Oct to 14 Dec; Under cover 13 Sep to 11 Jan

Plant outdoors: 11 Oct to 14 Dec
Under cover: 13 Sep to 11 Jan
First harvest: Crops every year once it’s established.
Warmth: Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.

Rhubarb across the UK, town by town

Nearby

Questions about growing in Houghton-Le-Spring

When is the last frost in Houghton-Le-Spring?

On average around 11 April, and the first autumn frost comes around 20 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 Houghton-Le-Spring?

Yes. Plant them outdoors 31 May to 16 Jun, or under cover 3 May to 19 May, and 31 May to 16 Jun, and 28 Jun to 14 Jul.

What can I sow in Houghton-Le-Spring 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 Houghton-Le-Spring. 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