Northern Ireland, UK
Planting calendar for Newtownabbey
Last frost around 6 March, first frost around 19 December: about 288 frost-free days.
- Last frost
- 6 March on average
- First frost
- 19 December on average
- Frost-free days
- 288 in a typical year
Sow now: November
See the whole yearOutdoors
Under cover
The year at a glance
When each crop can be sown in Newtownabbey. Tap a crop for exact dates and when it’s ready to harvest.
| Crop | JJan | FFeb | MMar | AApr | MMay | JJun | JJul | AAug | SSep | OOct | NNov | DDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fruiting | ||||||||||||
| January: Not this month | February: Not this month | March: Not this month | April: Not this month | May: Sow under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover | July: Sow under cover | August: Not this month | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| January: Not this month | February: Not this month | March: Not this month | April: Not this month | May: Sow under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover | July: Sow under cover | August: Not this month | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| January: Not this month | February: Not this month | March: Not this month | April: Not this month | May: Sow under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover | July: Sow under cover | August: Not this month | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| January: Not this month | February: Not this month | March: Not this month | April: Not this month | May: Sow under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover | July: Sow under cover | August: Not this month | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| January: Not this month | February: Not this month | March: Not this month | April: Not this month | May: Sow under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow under cover | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| January: Not this month | February: Not this month | March: Not this month | April: Not this month | May: Sow under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow under cover | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| January: Not this month | February: Not this month | March: Not this month | April: Not this month | May: Sow under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover | July: Sow under cover | August: Not this month | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| January: Not this month | February: Not this month | March: Not this month | April: Not this month | May: Sow under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover | July: Sow under cover | August: Not this month | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| Roots | ||||||||||||
| January: Not this month | February: Not this month | March: Sow under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow under cover | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| January: Not this month | February: Not this month | March: Sow under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow under cover | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| January: Not this month | February: Sow under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover | July: Sow under cover | August: Not this month | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| January: Not this month | February: Sow under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow outdoors and under cover | September: Sow outdoors and under cover | October: Sow under cover | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| January: Not this month | February: Plant under cover | March: Plant outdoors and under cover | April: Plant outdoors and under cover | May: Plant outdoors and under cover | June: Plant under cover | July: Not this month | August: Not this month | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| January: Not this month | February: Sow under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow outdoors and under cover | September: Sow under cover | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| Leaves | ||||||||||||
| January: Not this month | February: Sow under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow outdoors and under cover | September: Sow under cover | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| January: Not this month | February: Sow under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow outdoors and under cover | September: Sow outdoors and under cover | October: Sow under cover | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| January: Not this month | February: Not this month | March: Sow under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow outdoors and under cover | September: Sow under cover | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| January: Not this month | February: Sow under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow outdoors and under cover | September: Sow outdoors and under cover | October: Sow under cover | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| January: Sow under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Not this month | July: Not this month | August: Not this month | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| Beans and peas | ||||||||||||
| January: Not this month | February: Not this month | March: Not this month | April: Not this month | May: Sow under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Not this month | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| January: Not this month | February: Not this month | March: Not this month | April: Not this month | May: Sow under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow under cover | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| January: Not this month | February: Not this month | March: Not this month | April: Not this month | May: Not this month | June: Not this month | July: Not this month | August: Not this month | September: Sow outdoors and under cover | October: Sow outdoors and under cover | November: Sow outdoors and under cover | December: Sow under cover | |
| January: Not this month | February: Sow under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow under cover | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| Onion family | ||||||||||||
| January: Not this month | February: Plant under cover | March: Plant outdoors and under cover | April: Plant outdoors and under cover | May: Plant outdoors and under cover | June: Not this month | July: Not this month | August: Not this month | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| January: 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 outdoors and under cover | October: Plant outdoors and under cover | November: Plant outdoors and under cover | December: Plant outdoors and under cover | |
| January: Not this month | February: Sow under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow under cover | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| January: Sow under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow outdoors and under cover | September: Sow under cover | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| January: Plant outdoors and under cover | February: Plant outdoors and under cover | March: Plant outdoors and under cover | April: Plant outdoors and under cover | May: Plant outdoors and under cover | June: Not this month | July: Not this month | August: Not this month | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| Brassicas | ||||||||||||
| January: Not this month | February: Sow under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow under cover | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| January: Not this month | February: Not this month | March: Sow under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow under cover | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| January: Not this month | February: Sow under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow under cover | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| January: Not this month | February: Sow under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow under cover | July: Not this month | August: Not this month | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| January: Not this month | February: Not this month | March: Sow under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow under cover | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| January: Not this month | February: Not this month | March: Sow under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow outdoors and under cover | September: Sow under cover | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| Herbs | ||||||||||||
| January: Not this month | February: Not this month | March: Sow under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow under cover | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| January: Not this month | February: Sow under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow outdoors and under cover | September: Sow under cover | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| January: Not this month | February: Not this month | March: Sow under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow outdoors and under cover | September: Sow under cover | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| January: Not this month | February: Sow under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover | July: Sow under cover | August: Not this month | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| January: Not this month | February: Not this month | March: Sow under cover | April: Sow outdoors and under cover | May: Sow outdoors and under cover | June: Sow outdoors and under cover | July: Sow outdoors and under cover | August: Sow outdoors and under cover | September: Sow outdoors and under cover | October: Sow outdoors and under cover | November: Sow under cover | December: Not this month | |
| Fruit | ||||||||||||
| January: Not this month | February: Plant under cover | March: Plant outdoors and under cover | April: Plant outdoors and under cover | May: Plant outdoors and under cover | June: Plant under cover | July: Not this month | August: Not this month | September: Not this month | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| January: Plant outdoors and under cover | February: Plant under cover | March: Not this month | April: Not this month | May: Not this month | June: Not this month | July: Not this month | August: Not this month | September: Not this month | October: Plant under cover | November: Plant outdoors and under cover | December: Plant outdoors and under cover | |
| January: Plant outdoors and under cover | February: Plant under cover | March: Not this month | April: Not this month | May: Not this month | June: Not this month | July: Not this month | August: Not this month | September: 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 4 Jun to 21 Jun; Under cover 7 May to 24 May, and 4 Jun to 21 Jun, and 2 Jul to 19 Jul

- Sow outdoors
- 4 Jun to 21 Jun
- Under cover
- 7 May to 24 May, and 4 Jun to 21 Jun, and 2 Jul to 19 Jul
- First harvest
- About 176 days after sowing. Sown on 4 June, ready around 27 November.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
ChilliOutdoors 2 Jun to 17 Jun; Under cover 5 May to 20 May, and 2 Jun to 17 Jun, and 30 Jun to 15 Jul

- Sow outdoors
- 2 Jun to 17 Jun
- Under cover
- 5 May to 20 May, and 2 Jun to 17 Jun, and 30 Jun to 15 Jul
- First harvest
- About 224 days after sowing. Sown on 2 June, ready around 12 January.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Sweet pepperOutdoors 9 Jun to 22 Jun; Under cover 12 May to 25 May, and 9 Jun to 22 Jun, and 7 Jul to 20 Jul

- Sow outdoors
- 9 Jun to 22 Jun
- Under cover
- 12 May to 25 May, and 9 Jun to 22 Jun, and 7 Jul to 20 Jul
- First harvest
- About 208 days after sowing. Sown on 9 June, ready around 3 January.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
AubergineOutdoors 9 Jun to 17 Jun; Under cover 12 May to 20 May, and 9 Jun to 17 Jun, and 7 Jul to 15 Jul

- Sow outdoors
- 9 Jun to 17 Jun
- Under cover
- 12 May to 20 May, and 9 Jun to 17 Jun, and 7 Jul to 15 Jul
- First harvest
- About 240 days after sowing. Sown on 9 June, ready around 4 February.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
CourgetteOutdoors 2 Jun to 29 Jul; Under cover 5 May to 26 Aug

- Sow outdoors
- 2 Jun to 29 Jul
- Under cover
- 5 May to 26 Aug
- First harvest
- About 67 days after sowing. Sown on 2 June, ready around 8 August.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
CucumberOutdoors 2 Jun to 20 Jul; Under cover 5 May to 17 Aug

- Sow outdoors
- 2 Jun to 20 Jul
- Under cover
- 5 May to 17 Aug
- First harvest
- About 80 days after sowing. Sown on 2 June, ready around 21 August.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
SquashOutdoors 2 Jun to 24 Jun; Under cover 5 May to 22 Jul

- Sow outdoors
- 2 Jun to 24 Jun
- Under cover
- 5 May to 22 Jul
- First harvest
- About 176 days after sowing. Sown on 2 June, ready around 25 November.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
SweetcornOutdoors 27 May to 28 Jun; Under cover 29 Apr to 26 Jul

- Sow outdoors
- 27 May to 28 Jun
- Under cover
- 29 Apr to 26 Jul
- First harvest
- About 122 days after sowing. Sown on 27 May, ready around 26 September.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.
Roots
CarrotOutdoors 4 Apr to 3 Aug; Under cover 7 Mar to 31 Aug

- Sow outdoors
- 4 Apr to 3 Aug
- Under cover
- 7 Mar to 31 Aug
- First harvest
- About 110 days after sowing. Sown on 4 April, ready around 23 July.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
BeetrootOutdoors 4 Apr to 3 Aug; Under cover 7 Mar to 31 Aug

- Sow outdoors
- 4 Apr to 3 Aug
- Under cover
- 7 Mar to 31 Aug
- First harvest
- About 77 days after sowing. Sown on 4 April, ready around 20 June.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
ParsnipOutdoors 12 Mar to 17 Jun; Under cover 12 Feb to 15 Jul

- Sow outdoors
- 12 Mar to 17 Jun
- Under cover
- 12 Feb to 15 Jul
- First harvest
- About 148 days after sowing. Sown on 12 March, ready around 7 August.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
RadishOutdoors 12 Mar to 16 Sep; Under cover 12 Feb to 14 Oct

- Sow outdoors
- 12 Mar to 16 Sep
- Under cover
- 12 Feb to 14 Oct
- First harvest
- About 33 days after sowing. Sown on 12 March, ready around 14 April.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
PotatoOutdoors 12 Mar to 21 May; Under cover 12 Feb to 18 Jun

- Plant outdoors
- 12 Mar to 21 May
- Under cover
- 12 Feb to 18 Jun
- First harvest
- About 115 days after planting. Planted on 12 March, ready around 5 July.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
TurnipOutdoors 12 Mar to 14 Aug; Under cover 12 Feb to 11 Sep

- Sow outdoors
- 12 Mar to 14 Aug
- Under cover
- 12 Feb to 11 Sep
- First harvest
- About 70 days after sowing. Sown on 12 March, ready around 21 May.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Leaves
LettuceOutdoors 19 Mar to 10 Aug; Under cover 19 Feb to 7 Sep

- Sow outdoors
- 19 Mar to 10 Aug
- Under cover
- 19 Feb to 7 Sep
- First harvest
- About 80 days after sowing. Sown on 19 March, ready around 7 June.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
SpinachOutdoors 12 Mar to 20 Sep; Under cover 12 Feb to 18 Oct

- Sow outdoors
- 12 Mar to 20 Sep
- Under cover
- 12 Feb to 18 Oct
- First harvest
- About 53 days after sowing. Sown on 12 March, ready around 4 May.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Swiss chardOutdoors 4 Apr to 14 Aug; Under cover 7 Mar to 11 Sep

- Sow outdoors
- 4 Apr to 14 Aug
- Under cover
- 7 Mar to 11 Sep
- First harvest
- About 66 days after sowing. Sown on 4 April, ready around 9 June.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
RocketOutdoors 12 Mar to 19 Sep; Under cover 12 Feb to 17 Oct

- Sow outdoors
- 12 Mar to 19 Sep
- Under cover
- 12 Feb to 17 Oct
- First harvest
- About 47 days after sowing. Sown on 12 March, ready around 28 April.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
CeleryOutdoors 17 Feb to 9 May; Under cover 20 Jan to 6 Jun

- Sow outdoors
- 17 Feb to 9 May
- Under cover
- 20 Jan to 6 Jun
- First harvest
- About 157 days after sowing. Sown on 17 February, ready around 24 July.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.
Beans and peas
Runner beanOutdoors 27 May to 8 Jul; Under cover 29 Apr to 5 Aug

- Sow outdoors
- 27 May to 8 Jul
- Under cover
- 29 Apr to 5 Aug
- First harvest
- About 106 days after sowing. Sown on 27 May, ready around 10 September.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.
French beanOutdoors 27 May to 25 Jul; Under cover 29 Apr to 22 Aug

- Sow outdoors
- 27 May to 25 Jul
- Under cover
- 29 Apr to 22 Aug
- First harvest
- About 79 days after sowing. Sown on 27 May, ready around 14 August.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.
Broad beanOutdoors 23 Sep to 27 Nov; Under cover 26 Aug to 25 Dec

- Sow outdoors
- 23 Sep to 27 Nov
- Under cover
- 26 Aug to 25 Dec
- First harvest
- About 220 days after sowing. Sown on 23 September, ready around 1 May.
- Warmth
- Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.
PeaOutdoors 12 Mar to 12 Jul; Under cover 12 Feb to 9 Aug

- Sow outdoors
- 12 Mar to 12 Jul
- Under cover
- 12 Feb to 9 Aug
- First harvest
- About 93 days after sowing. Sown on 12 March, ready around 13 June.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Onion family
OnionOutdoors 5 Mar to 9 May; Under cover 5 Feb to 6 Jun

- Plant outdoors
- 5 Mar to 9 May
- Under cover
- 5 Feb to 6 Jun
- First harvest
- About 162 days after planting. Planted on 5 March, ready around 14 August.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
GarlicOutdoors 23 Sep to 11 Dec; Under cover 26 Aug to 8 Jan

- Plant outdoors
- 23 Sep to 11 Dec
- Under cover
- 26 Aug to 8 Jan
- First harvest
- About 250 days after planting. Planted on 23 September, ready around 31 May.
- Warmth
- Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.
LeekOutdoors 12 Mar to 3 Aug; Under cover 12 Feb to 31 Aug

- Sow outdoors
- 12 Mar to 3 Aug
- Under cover
- 12 Feb to 31 Aug
- First harvest
- About 170 days after sowing. Sown on 12 March, ready around 29 August.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Spring onionOutdoors 17 Feb to 6 Sep; Under cover 20 Jan to 4 Oct

- Sow outdoors
- 17 Feb to 6 Sep
- Under cover
- 20 Jan to 4 Oct
- First harvest
- About 89 days after sowing. Sown on 17 February, ready around 17 May.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.
ShallotOutdoors 24 Jan to 9 May; Under cover 27 Dec to 6 Jun

- Plant outdoors
- 24 Jan to 9 May
- Under cover
- 27 Dec to 6 Jun
- First harvest
- About 174 days after planting. Planted on 24 January, ready around 17 July.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.
Brassicas
CabbageOutdoors 12 Mar to 3 Aug; Under cover 12 Feb to 31 Aug

- Sow outdoors
- 12 Mar to 3 Aug
- Under cover
- 12 Feb to 31 Aug
- First harvest
- About 126 days after sowing. Sown on 12 March, ready around 16 July.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
BroccoliOutdoors 4 Apr to 3 Aug; Under cover 7 Mar to 31 Aug

- Sow outdoors
- 4 Apr to 3 Aug
- Under cover
- 7 Mar to 31 Aug
- First harvest
- About 99 days after sowing. Sown on 4 April, ready around 12 July.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
CauliflowerOutdoors 12 Mar to 12 Jul; Under cover 12 Feb to 9 Aug

- Sow outdoors
- 12 Mar to 12 Jul
- Under cover
- 12 Feb to 9 Aug
- First harvest
- About 137 days after sowing. Sown on 12 March, ready around 27 July.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Brussels sproutOutdoors 12 Mar to 27 May; Under cover 12 Feb to 24 Jun

- Sow outdoors
- 12 Mar to 27 May
- Under cover
- 12 Feb to 24 Jun
- First harvest
- About 204 days after sowing. Sown on 12 March, ready around 2 October.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
KaleOutdoors 4 Apr to 3 Aug; Under cover 7 Mar to 31 Aug

- Sow outdoors
- 4 Apr to 3 Aug
- Under cover
- 7 Mar to 31 Aug
- First harvest
- About 88 days after sowing. Sown on 4 April, ready around 1 July.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Pak choiOutdoors 21 Apr to 1 Sep; Under cover 24 Mar to 29 Sep

- Sow outdoors
- 21 Apr to 1 Sep
- Under cover
- 24 Mar to 29 Sep
- First harvest
- About 48 days after sowing. Sown on 21 April, ready around 8 June.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 8°C; bolts in hot weather.
Herbs
BasilOutdoors 21 Apr to 31 Jul; Under cover 24 Mar to 28 Aug

- Sow outdoors
- 21 Apr to 31 Jul
- Under cover
- 24 Mar to 28 Aug
- First harvest
- About 69 days after sowing. Sown on 21 April, ready around 29 June.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 8°C or more, and no frost.
ParsleyOutdoors 12 Mar to 18 Aug; Under cover 12 Feb to 15 Sep

- Sow outdoors
- 12 Mar to 18 Aug
- Under cover
- 12 Feb to 15 Sep
- First harvest
- About 87 days after sowing. Sown on 12 March, ready around 7 June.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
CorianderOutdoors 4 Apr to 2 Sep; Under cover 7 Mar to 30 Sep

- Sow outdoors
- 4 Apr to 2 Sep
- Under cover
- 7 Mar to 30 Sep
- First harvest
- About 55 days after sowing. Sown on 4 April, ready around 29 May.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 7°C; bolts in hot weather.
ChivesOutdoors 12 Mar to 17 Jun; Under cover 12 Feb to 15 Jul

- Sow outdoors
- 12 Mar to 17 Jun
- Under cover
- 12 Feb to 15 Jul
- First harvest
- Crops every year once it’s established.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
MintOutdoors 4 Apr to 14 Oct; Under cover 7 Mar to 11 Nov

- Sow outdoors
- 4 Apr to 14 Oct
- Under cover
- 7 Mar to 11 Nov
- First harvest
- Crops every year once it’s established.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Fruit
StrawberryOutdoors 12 Mar to 27 May; Under cover 12 Feb to 24 Jun

- Plant outdoors
- 12 Mar to 27 May
- Under cover
- 12 Feb to 24 Jun
- First harvest
- Crops every year once it’s established.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
RaspberryOutdoors 2 Nov to 23 Jan; Under cover 5 Oct to 20 Feb

- Plant outdoors
- 2 Nov to 23 Jan
- Under cover
- 5 Oct to 20 Feb
- First harvest
- Crops every year once it’s established.
- Warmth
- Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.
RhubarbOutdoors 12 Oct to 11 Jan; Under cover 14 Sep to 8 Feb

- Plant outdoors
- 12 Oct to 11 Jan
- Under cover
- 14 Sep to 8 Feb
- First harvest
- Crops every year once it’s established.
- Warmth
- Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.
Questions about growing in Newtownabbey
When is the last frost in Newtownabbey?
On average around 6 March, and the first autumn frost comes around 19 December. 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 Newtownabbey?
Yes. Plant them outdoors 4 Jun to 21 Jun, or under cover 7 May to 24 May, and 4 Jun to 21 Jun, and 2 Jul to 19 Jul.
What can I sow in Newtownabbey in November?
Outdoors: broad bean, garlic, raspberry, rhubarb. Under cover: mint.
How accurate are these dates?
They’re worked out from 30 years of climate data for this spot, adjusted for its height, so they’re a good guide for a typical year. Check the forecast before planting out anything tender.
How these dates are worked out: climate records for this spot (ERA5-Land, 1995 to 2024), the local frost dates and the height above sea level turn a seed-packet date into a local one. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information; towns from GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). How sowing dates work
