England, UK

Planting calendar for Ilkeston

Last frost around 16 April, first frost around 15 November: about 213 frost-free days.

Last frost: 16 April
First frost: 15 November
Frost-free days: 213

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 Ilkeston. 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 Ilkeston, 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: 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
Chilli	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
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: 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
Cucumber	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
Squash	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
Sweetcorn	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
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 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
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: Sow under cover	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Leaves
Lettuce	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
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: Sow under cover	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 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: 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
French bean	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
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 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 under cover	August: Not this month	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 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 under cover	August: Not this month	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: 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
Basil	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
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: Sow under cover	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 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
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 22 May to 16 Jun; Under cover 24 Apr to 14 Jul

Sow outdoors: 22 May to 16 Jun
Under cover: 24 Apr to 14 Jul
First harvest: About 111 days after sowing. Sown on 22 May, ready around 10 September.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Tomato across the UK, town by town

ChilliOutdoors 21 May to 16 Jun; Under cover 23 Apr to 14 Jul

Sow outdoors: 21 May to 16 Jun
Under cover: 23 Apr to 14 Jul
First harvest: About 144 days after sowing. Sown on 21 May, ready around 12 October.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Chilli across the UK, town by town

Sweet pepperOutdoors 26 May to 21 Jun; Under cover 28 Apr to 19 Jul

Sow outdoors: 26 May to 21 Jun
Under cover: 28 Apr to 19 Jul
First harvest: About 132 days after sowing. Sown on 26 May, ready around 5 October.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Sweet pepper across the UK, town by town

AubergineOutdoors 26 May to 16 Jun; Under cover 28 Apr to 14 Jul

Sow outdoors: 26 May to 16 Jun
Under cover: 28 Apr to 14 Jul
First harvest: About 240 days after sowing. Sown on 26 May, ready around 21 January.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Aubergine across the UK, town by town

CourgetteOutdoors 21 May to 1 Jul; Under cover 23 Apr to 29 Jul

Sow outdoors: 21 May to 1 Jul
Under cover: 23 Apr to 29 Jul
First harvest: About 61 days after sowing. Sown on 21 May, ready around 21 July.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Courgette across the UK, town by town

CucumberOutdoors 21 May to 1 Jul; Under cover 23 Apr to 29 Jul

Sow outdoors: 21 May to 1 Jul
Under cover: 23 Apr to 29 Jul
First harvest: About 71 days after sowing. Sown on 21 May, ready around 31 July.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Cucumber across the UK, town by town

SquashOutdoors 21 May to 21 Jun; Under cover 23 Apr to 19 Jul

Sow outdoors: 21 May to 21 Jun
Under cover: 23 Apr to 19 Jul
First harvest: About 111 days after sowing. Sown on 21 May, ready around 9 September.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Squash across the UK, town by town

SweetcornOutdoors 16 May to 21 Jun; Under cover 18 Apr to 19 Jul

Sow outdoors: 16 May to 21 Jun
Under cover: 18 Apr to 19 Jul
First harvest: About 101 days after sowing. Sown on 16 May, ready around 25 August.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.

Sweetcorn across the UK, town by town

Roots

CarrotOutdoors 2 Apr to 11 Jul; Under cover 5 Mar to 8 Aug

Sow outdoors: 2 Apr to 11 Jul
Under cover: 5 Mar to 8 Aug
First harvest: About 100 days after sowing. Sown on 2 April, ready around 11 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Carrot across the UK, town by town

BeetrootOutdoors 2 Apr to 16 Jul; Under cover 5 Mar to 13 Aug

Sow outdoors: 2 Apr to 16 Jul
Under cover: 5 Mar to 13 Aug
First harvest: About 71 days after sowing. Sown on 2 April, ready around 12 June.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Beetroot across the UK, town by town

ParsnipOutdoors 16 Mar to 1 Jun; Under cover 16 Feb to 29 Jun

Sow outdoors: 16 Mar to 1 Jun
Under cover: 16 Feb to 29 Jun
First harvest: About 130 days after sowing. Sown on 16 March, ready around 24 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Parsnip across the UK, town by town

RadishOutdoors 16 Mar to 14 Sep; Under cover 16 Feb to 12 Oct

Sow outdoors: 16 Mar to 14 Sep
Under cover: 16 Feb to 12 Oct
First harvest: About 29 days after sowing. Sown on 16 March, ready around 14 April.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Radish across the UK, town by town

PotatoOutdoors 16 Mar to 11 May; Under cover 16 Feb to 8 Jun

Plant outdoors: 16 Mar to 11 May
Under cover: 16 Feb to 8 Jun
First harvest: About 101 days after planting. Planted on 16 March, ready around 25 June.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Potato across the UK, town by town

TurnipOutdoors 16 Mar to 14 Aug; Under cover 16 Feb to 11 Sep

Sow outdoors: 16 Mar to 14 Aug
Under cover: 16 Feb to 11 Sep
First harvest: About 61 days after sowing. Sown on 16 March, ready around 16 May.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Turnip across the UK, town by town

Leaves

LettuceOutdoors 21 Mar to 9 Aug; Under cover 21 Feb to 6 Sep

Sow outdoors: 21 Mar to 9 Aug
Under cover: 21 Feb to 6 Sep
First harvest: About 71 days after sowing. Sown on 21 March, ready around 31 May.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Lettuce across the UK, town by town

SpinachOutdoors 16 Mar to 14 Sep; Under cover 16 Feb to 12 Oct

Sow outdoors: 16 Mar to 14 Sep
Under cover: 16 Feb to 12 Oct
First harvest: About 46 days after sowing. Sown on 16 March, ready around 1 May.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Spinach across the UK, town by town

Swiss chardOutdoors 2 Apr to 14 Aug; Under cover 5 Mar to 11 Sep

Sow outdoors: 2 Apr to 14 Aug
Under cover: 5 Mar to 11 Sep
First harvest: About 61 days after sowing. Sown on 2 April, ready around 2 June.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Swiss chard across the UK, town by town

RocketOutdoors 16 Mar to 14 Sep; Under cover 16 Feb to 12 Oct

Sow outdoors: 16 Mar to 14 Sep
Under cover: 16 Feb to 12 Oct
First harvest: About 41 days after sowing. Sown on 16 March, ready around 26 April.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Rocket across the UK, town by town

CeleryOutdoors 2 Mar to 1 May; Under cover 2 Feb to 29 May

Sow outdoors: 2 Mar to 1 May
Under cover: 2 Feb to 29 May
First harvest: About 130 days after sowing. Sown on 2 March, ready around 10 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.

Celery across the UK, town by town

Beans and peas

Runner beanOutdoors 16 May to 1 Jul; Under cover 18 Apr to 29 Jul

Sow outdoors: 16 May to 1 Jul
Under cover: 18 Apr to 29 Jul
First harvest: About 91 days after sowing. Sown on 16 May, ready around 15 August.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.

Runner bean across the UK, town by town

French beanOutdoors 16 May to 16 Jul; Under cover 18 Apr to 13 Aug

Sow outdoors: 16 May to 16 Jul
Under cover: 18 Apr to 13 Aug
First harvest: About 71 days after sowing. Sown on 16 May, ready around 26 July.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.

French bean across the UK, town by town

Broad beanOutdoors 1 Oct to 19 Nov; Under cover 3 Sep to 17 Dec

Sow outdoors: 1 Oct to 19 Nov
Under cover: 3 Sep to 17 Dec
First harvest: About 220 days after sowing. Sown on 1 October, ready around 9 May.
Warmth: Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.

Broad bean across the UK, town by town

PeaOutdoors 16 Mar to 16 Jun; Under cover 16 Feb to 14 Jul

Sow outdoors: 16 Mar to 16 Jun
Under cover: 16 Feb to 14 Jul
First harvest: About 81 days after sowing. Sown on 16 March, ready around 5 June.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Pea across the UK, town by town

Onion family

OnionOutdoors 11 Mar to 1 May; Under cover 11 Feb to 29 May

Plant outdoors: 11 Mar to 1 May
Under cover: 11 Feb to 29 May
First harvest: About 140 days after planting. Planted on 11 March, ready around 29 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Onion across the UK, town by town

GarlicOutdoors 1 Oct to 29 Nov; Under cover 3 Sep to 27 Dec

Plant outdoors: 1 Oct to 29 Nov
Under cover: 3 Sep to 27 Dec
First harvest: About 250 days after planting. Planted on 1 October, ready around 8 June.
Warmth: Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.

Garlic across the UK, town by town

LeekOutdoors 16 Mar to 1 Jul; Under cover 16 Feb to 29 Jul

Sow outdoors: 16 Mar to 1 Jul
Under cover: 16 Feb to 29 Jul
First harvest: About 150 days after sowing. Sown on 16 March, ready around 13 August.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Leek across the UK, town by town

Spring onionOutdoors 2 Mar to 30 Aug; Under cover 2 Feb to 27 Sep

Sow outdoors: 2 Mar to 30 Aug
Under cover: 2 Feb to 27 Sep
First harvest: About 71 days after sowing. Sown on 2 March, ready around 12 May.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.

Spring onion across the UK, town by town

ShallotOutdoors 16 Feb to 1 May; Under cover 19 Jan to 29 May

Plant outdoors: 16 Feb to 1 May
Under cover: 19 Jan to 29 May
First harvest: About 130 days after planting. Planted on 16 February, ready around 26 June.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.

Shallot across the UK, town by town

Brassicas

CabbageOutdoors 16 Mar to 16 Jul; Under cover 16 Feb to 13 Aug

Sow outdoors: 16 Mar to 16 Jul
Under cover: 16 Feb to 13 Aug
First harvest: About 110 days after sowing. Sown on 16 March, ready around 4 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Cabbage across the UK, town by town

BroccoliOutdoors 2 Apr to 1 Jul; Under cover 5 Mar to 29 Jul

Sow outdoors: 2 Apr to 1 Jul
Under cover: 5 Mar to 29 Jul
First harvest: About 90 days after sowing. Sown on 2 April, ready around 1 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Broccoli across the UK, town by town

CauliflowerOutdoors 16 Mar to 16 Jun; Under cover 16 Feb to 14 Jul

Sow outdoors: 16 Mar to 16 Jun
Under cover: 16 Feb to 14 Jul
First harvest: About 120 days after sowing. Sown on 16 March, ready around 14 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Cauliflower across the UK, town by town

Brussels sproutOutdoors 16 Mar to 16 May; Under cover 16 Feb to 13 Jun

Sow outdoors: 16 Mar to 16 May
Under cover: 16 Feb to 13 Jun
First harvest: About 181 days after sowing. Sown on 16 March, ready around 13 September.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Brussels sprout across the UK, town by town

KaleOutdoors 2 Apr to 16 Jul; Under cover 5 Mar to 13 Aug

Sow outdoors: 2 Apr to 16 Jul
Under cover: 5 Mar to 13 Aug
First harvest: About 80 days after sowing. Sown on 2 April, ready around 21 June.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Kale across the UK, town by town

Pak choiOutdoors 16 Apr to 30 Aug; Under cover 19 Mar to 27 Sep

Sow outdoors: 16 Apr to 30 Aug
Under cover: 19 Mar to 27 Sep
First harvest: About 46 days after sowing. Sown on 16 April, ready around 1 June.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 8°C; bolts in hot weather.

Pak choi across the UK, town by town

Herbs

BasilOutdoors 16 Apr to 16 Jul; Under cover 19 Mar to 13 Aug

Sow outdoors: 16 Apr to 16 Jul
Under cover: 19 Mar to 13 Aug
First harvest: About 60 days after sowing. Sown on 16 April, ready around 15 June.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 8°C or more, and no frost.

Basil across the UK, town by town

ParsleyOutdoors 16 Mar to 14 Aug; Under cover 16 Feb to 11 Sep

Sow outdoors: 16 Mar to 14 Aug
Under cover: 16 Feb to 11 Sep
First harvest: About 76 days after sowing. Sown on 16 March, ready around 31 May.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Parsley across the UK, town by town

CorianderOutdoors 2 Apr to 30 Aug; Under cover 5 Mar to 27 Sep

Sow outdoors: 2 Apr to 30 Aug
Under cover: 5 Mar to 27 Sep
First harvest: About 51 days after sowing. Sown on 2 April, ready around 23 May.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C; bolts in hot weather.

Coriander across the UK, town by town

ChivesOutdoors 16 Mar to 1 Jun; Under cover 16 Feb to 29 Jun

Sow outdoors: 16 Mar to 1 Jun
Under cover: 16 Feb to 29 Jun
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 2 Apr to 29 Sep; Under cover 5 Mar to 27 Oct

Sow outdoors: 2 Apr to 29 Sep
Under cover: 5 Mar to 27 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 16 Mar to 16 May; Under cover 16 Feb to 13 Jun

Plant outdoors: 16 Mar to 16 May
Under cover: 16 Feb to 13 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 31 Oct to 29 Dec; Under cover 3 Oct to 26 Jan

Plant outdoors: 31 Oct to 29 Dec
Under cover: 3 Oct to 26 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 15 Oct to 13 Dec; Under cover 17 Sep to 10 Jan

Plant outdoors: 15 Oct to 13 Dec
Under cover: 17 Sep to 10 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

Also covers

Hucknall, and nearby villages. Dates are within a few days across the area.

Questions about growing in Ilkeston

When is the last frost in Ilkeston?

On average around 16 April, and the first autumn frost comes around 15 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 Ilkeston?

Yes. Plant them outdoors 22 May to 16 Jun, or under cover 24 Apr to 14 Jul.

What can I sow in Ilkeston 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 Ilkeston. 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