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Scotland, UK

Planting calendar for Irvine

Last frost around 27 March, first frost around 26 November: about 244 frost-free days.

Last frost
27 March
on average
First frost
26 November
on average
Frost-free days
244
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 Irvine. 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 Irvine, 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: Sow under coverJuly: 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: Sow under coverJuly: 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: Sow under coverJuly: 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 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
SweetcornUnder 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
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 outdoors and 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 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
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: Sow under coverNovember: 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: Sow under coverNovember: 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: Sow under coverJuly: 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 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 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 outdoors and under coverAugust: Sow under coverSeptember: 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: Plant under coverJuly: 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: Plant under coverJuly: 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 outdoors and under coverAugust: Sow under coverSeptember: 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 outdoors and 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 outdoors and under coverFebruary: Plant under coverMarch: 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 11 May to 9 Jun
Tomato growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
Not here: season too short
Under cover
11 May to 9 Jun
First harvest
About 85 days after sowing. Sown on 11 May, ready around 4 August.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Tomato across the UK, town by town
ChilliUnder cover 10 May to 9 Jun
Chilli growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
Not here: season too short
Under cover
10 May to 9 Jun
First harvest
About 89 days after sowing. Sown on 10 May, ready around 7 August.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Chilli across the UK, town by town
Sweet pepperUnder cover 16 May to 15 Jun
Sweet pepper growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
Not here: season too short
Under cover
16 May to 15 Jun
First harvest
About 83 days after sowing. Sown on 16 May, ready around 7 August.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Sweet pepper across the UK, town by town
AubergineUnder cover 16 May to 9 Jun
Aubergine growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
Not here: season too short
Under cover
16 May to 9 Jun
First harvest
About 90 days after sowing. Sown on 16 May, ready around 14 August.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Aubergine across the UK, town by town
CourgetteOutdoors 2 Jun to 16 Jul; Under cover 5 May to 13 Aug
Courgette growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
2 Jun to 16 Jul
Under cover
5 May to 13 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.
Courgette across the UK, town by town
CucumberOutdoors 2 Jun to 6 Jul; Under cover 5 May to 3 Aug
Cucumber growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
2 Jun to 6 Jul
Under cover
5 May to 3 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.
Cucumber across the UK, town by town
SquashUnder cover 10 May to 15 Jun
Squash growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
Not here: season too short
Under cover
10 May to 15 Jun
First harvest
About 86 days after sowing. Sown on 10 May, ready around 4 August.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Squash across the UK, town by town
SweetcornUnder cover 4 May to 15 Jun
Sweetcorn growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
Not here: season too short
Under cover
4 May to 15 Jun
First harvest
About 85 days after sowing. Sown on 4 May, ready around 28 July.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.
Sweetcorn across the UK, town by town

Roots

CarrotOutdoors 7 Apr to 1 Aug; Under cover 10 Mar to 29 Aug
Carrot growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
7 Apr to 1 Aug
Under cover
10 Mar to 29 Aug
First harvest
About 108 days after sowing. Sown on 7 April, ready around 24 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Carrot across the UK, town by town
BeetrootOutdoors 7 Apr to 1 Aug; Under cover 10 Mar to 29 Aug
Beetroot growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
7 Apr to 1 Aug
Under cover
10 Mar to 29 Aug
First harvest
About 74 days after sowing. Sown on 7 April, ready around 20 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Beetroot across the UK, town by town
ParsnipOutdoors 20 Mar to 16 Jun; Under cover 20 Feb to 14 Jul
Parsnip growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
20 Mar to 16 Jun
Under cover
20 Feb to 14 Jul
First harvest
About 142 days after sowing. Sown on 20 March, ready around 9 August.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Parsnip across the UK, town by town
RadishOutdoors 20 Mar to 7 Sep; Under cover 20 Feb to 5 Oct
Radish growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
20 Mar to 7 Sep
Under cover
20 Feb to 5 Oct
First harvest
About 30 days after sowing. Sown on 20 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 20 Mar to 21 May; Under cover 20 Feb to 18 Jun
Potato growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
20 Mar to 21 May
Under cover
20 Feb to 18 Jun
First harvest
About 107 days after planting. Planted on 20 March, ready around 5 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Potato across the UK, town by town
TurnipOutdoors 20 Mar to 4 Aug; Under cover 20 Feb to 1 Sep
Turnip growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
20 Mar to 4 Aug
Under cover
20 Feb to 1 Sep
First harvest
About 64 days after sowing. Sown on 20 March, ready around 23 May.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Turnip across the UK, town by town

Leaves

LettuceOutdoors 25 Mar to 1 Aug; Under cover 25 Feb to 29 Aug
Lettuce growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
25 Mar to 1 Aug
Under cover
25 Feb to 29 Aug
First harvest
About 75 days after sowing. Sown on 25 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 20 Mar to 10 Sep; Under cover 20 Feb to 8 Oct
Spinach growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
20 Mar to 10 Sep
Under cover
20 Feb to 8 Oct
First harvest
About 48 days after sowing. Sown on 20 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 7 Apr to 4 Aug; Under cover 10 Mar to 1 Sep
Swiss chard growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
7 Apr to 4 Aug
Under cover
10 Mar to 1 Sep
First harvest
About 64 days after sowing. Sown on 7 April, ready around 10 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Swiss chard across the UK, town by town
RocketOutdoors 20 Mar to 9 Sep; Under cover 20 Feb to 7 Oct
Rocket growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
20 Mar to 9 Sep
Under cover
20 Feb to 7 Oct
First harvest
About 43 days after sowing. Sown on 20 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 4 Mar to 10 May; Under cover 4 Feb to 7 Jun
Celery growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
4 Mar to 10 May
Under cover
4 Feb to 7 Jun
First harvest
About 142 days after sowing. Sown on 4 March, ready around 24 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.
Celery across the UK, town by town

Beans and peas

Runner beanOutdoors 27 May to 18 Jun; Under cover 29 Apr to 16 Jul
Runner bean growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
27 May to 18 Jun
Under cover
29 Apr to 16 Jul
First harvest
About 118 days after sowing. Sown on 27 May, ready around 22 September.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.
Runner bean across the UK, town by town
French beanOutdoors 27 May to 11 Jul; Under cover 29 Apr to 8 Aug
French bean growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
27 May to 11 Jul
Under cover
29 Apr to 8 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.
French bean across the UK, town by town
Broad beanOutdoors 20 Sep to 21 Nov; Under cover 23 Aug to 19 Dec
Broad bean growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
20 Sep to 21 Nov
Under cover
23 Aug to 19 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.
Broad bean across the UK, town by town
PeaOutdoors 20 Mar to 11 Jul; Under cover 20 Feb to 8 Aug
Pea growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
20 Mar to 11 Jul
Under cover
20 Feb to 8 Aug
First harvest
About 86 days after sowing. Sown on 20 March, ready around 14 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Pea across the UK, town by town

Onion family

OnionOutdoors 14 Mar to 10 May; Under cover 14 Feb to 7 Jun
Onion growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
14 Mar to 10 May
Under cover
14 Feb to 7 Jun
First harvest
About 153 days after planting. Planted on 14 March, ready around 14 August.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Onion across the UK, town by town
GarlicOutdoors 20 Sep to 2 Dec; Under cover 23 Aug to 30 Dec
Garlic growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
20 Sep to 2 Dec
Under cover
23 Aug to 30 Dec
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.
Garlic across the UK, town by town
LeekOutdoors 20 Mar to 24 Jul; Under cover 20 Feb to 21 Aug
Leek growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
20 Mar to 24 Jul
Under cover
20 Feb to 21 Aug
First harvest
About 166 days after sowing. Sown on 20 March, ready around 2 September.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Leek across the UK, town by town
Spring onionOutdoors 4 Mar to 26 Aug; Under cover 4 Feb to 23 Sep
Spring onion growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
4 Mar to 26 Aug
Under cover
4 Feb to 23 Sep
First harvest
About 76 days after sowing. Sown on 4 March, ready around 19 May.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.
Spring onion across the UK, town by town
ShallotOutdoors 14 Feb to 10 May; Under cover 17 Jan to 7 Jun
Shallot growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
14 Feb to 10 May
Under cover
17 Jan to 7 Jun
First harvest
About 145 days after planting. Planted on 14 February, ready around 9 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.
Shallot across the UK, town by town

Brassicas

CabbageOutdoors 20 Mar to 1 Aug; Under cover 20 Feb to 29 Aug
Cabbage growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
20 Mar to 1 Aug
Under cover
20 Feb to 29 Aug
First harvest
About 119 days after sowing. Sown on 20 March, ready around 17 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Cabbage across the UK, town by town
BroccoliOutdoors 7 Apr to 1 Aug; Under cover 10 Mar to 29 Aug
Broccoli growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
7 Apr to 1 Aug
Under cover
10 Mar to 29 Aug
First harvest
About 96 days after sowing. Sown on 7 April, ready around 12 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Broccoli across the UK, town by town
CauliflowerOutdoors 20 Mar to 11 Jul; Under cover 20 Feb to 8 Aug
Cauliflower growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
20 Mar to 11 Jul
Under cover
20 Feb to 8 Aug
First harvest
About 130 days after sowing. Sown on 20 March, ready around 28 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Cauliflower across the UK, town by town
Brussels sproutOutdoors 20 Mar to 27 May; Under cover 20 Feb to 24 Jun
Brussels sprout growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
20 Mar to 27 May
Under cover
20 Feb to 24 Jun
First harvest
About 209 days after sowing. Sown on 20 March, ready around 15 October.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Brussels sprout across the UK, town by town
KaleOutdoors 7 Apr to 1 Aug; Under cover 10 Mar to 29 Aug
Kale growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
7 Apr to 1 Aug
Under cover
10 Mar to 29 Aug
First harvest
About 85 days after sowing. Sown on 7 April, ready around 1 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Kale across the UK, town by town
Pak choiOutdoors 23 Apr to 22 Aug; Under cover 26 Mar to 19 Sep
Pak choi growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
23 Apr to 22 Aug
Under cover
26 Mar to 19 Sep
First harvest
About 48 days after sowing. Sown on 23 April, ready around 10 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 18 Jul; Under cover 26 Mar to 15 Aug
Basil growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
23 Apr to 18 Jul
Under cover
26 Mar to 15 Aug
First harvest
About 68 days after sowing. Sown on 23 April, ready around 30 June.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 8°C or more, and no frost.
Basil across the UK, town by town
ParsleyOutdoors 20 Mar to 7 Aug; Under cover 20 Feb to 4 Sep
Parsley growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
20 Mar to 7 Aug
Under cover
20 Feb to 4 Sep
First harvest
About 80 days after sowing. Sown on 20 March, ready around 8 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Parsley across the UK, town by town
CorianderOutdoors 7 Apr to 23 Aug; Under cover 10 Mar to 20 Sep
Coriander growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
7 Apr to 23 Aug
Under cover
10 Mar to 20 Sep
First harvest
About 53 days after sowing. Sown on 7 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 20 Mar to 16 Jun; Under cover 20 Feb to 14 Jul
Chives growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
20 Mar to 16 Jun
Under cover
20 Feb to 14 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 7 Apr to 29 Sep; Under cover 10 Mar to 27 Oct
Mint growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
7 Apr to 29 Sep
Under cover
10 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 20 Mar to 27 May; Under cover 20 Feb to 24 Jun
Strawberry growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
20 Mar to 27 May
Under cover
20 Feb to 24 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 22 Jan; Under cover 1 Oct to 19 Feb
Raspberry growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
29 Oct to 22 Jan
Under cover
1 Oct to 19 Feb
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 9 Oct to 21 Dec; Under cover 11 Sep to 18 Jan
Rhubarb growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
9 Oct to 21 Dec
Under cover
11 Sep to 18 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 Irvine

When is the last frost in Irvine?

On average around 27 March, and the first autumn frost comes around 26 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 Irvine?

Not reliably: the season too short. Sow them under cover 11 May to 9 Jun, then grow them on under cover or plant out once frost has passed.

What can I sow in Irvine 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 Irvine. 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