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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 year

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.

Sow outdoorsSow under cover (a greenhouse or polytunnel)
When to sow each crop in Newtownabbey, month by month. Each month says whether you can sow outdoors, under cover, or both.
CropJJanFFebMMarAAprMMayJJunJJulAAugSSepOOctNNovDDec
Fruiting
TomatoJanuary: 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
ChilliJanuary: 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
Sweet pepperJanuary: 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
AubergineJanuary: 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
CourgetteJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Not this monthApril: Not this monthMay: Sow under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow outdoors and under coverAugust: Sow under coverSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
CucumberJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Not this monthApril: Not this monthMay: Sow under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow outdoors and under coverAugust: Sow under coverSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
SquashJanuary: 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
SweetcornJanuary: 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
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: Sow under coverNovember: 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 outdoors and under coverSeptember: Sow under coverOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
Leaves
LettuceJanuary: 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
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 outdoors and under coverSeptember: Sow under coverOctober: 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: Sow under coverFebruary: Sow outdoors and under coverMarch: Sow outdoors and under coverApril: Sow outdoors and under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Not this monthJuly: Not this monthAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
Beans and peas
Runner beanJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Not this monthApril: Not this monthMay: Sow under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow outdoors and under coverAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
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: Not this monthSeptember: 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: Not this monthJuly: Not this monthAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
GarlicJanuary: 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 outdoors and under coverOctober: Plant outdoors and under coverNovember: Plant outdoors and under coverDecember: Plant outdoors and 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: Sow under coverFebruary: Sow outdoors and 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 outdoors and under coverFebruary: Plant outdoors and under coverMarch: Plant outdoors and under coverApril: Plant outdoors and under coverMay: Plant outdoors and under coverJune: Not this monthJuly: Not this monthAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
Brassicas
CabbageJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Sow under coverMarch: Sow outdoors and under coverApril: Sow outdoors and under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow outdoors and under coverAugust: Sow under coverSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
BroccoliJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Sow under coverApril: Sow outdoors and under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow outdoors and under coverAugust: Sow under coverSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
CauliflowerJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Sow under coverMarch: Sow outdoors and under coverApril: Sow outdoors and under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Sow 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: 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
Herbs
BasilJanuary: 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
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: Sow under coverOctober: 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 outdoors and under coverNovember: Sow under coverDecember: 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 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: 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

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
Tomato growing on a plot
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.
Tomato across the UK, town by town
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
Chilli growing on a plot
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.
Chilli across the UK, town by town
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
Sweet pepper growing on a plot
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.
Sweet pepper across the UK, town by town
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
Aubergine growing on a plot
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.
Aubergine across the UK, town by town
CourgetteOutdoors 2 Jun to 29 Jul; Under cover 5 May to 26 Aug
Courgette growing on a plot
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.
Courgette across the UK, town by town
CucumberOutdoors 2 Jun to 20 Jul; Under cover 5 May to 17 Aug
Cucumber growing on a plot
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.
Cucumber across the UK, town by town
SquashOutdoors 2 Jun to 24 Jun; Under cover 5 May to 22 Jul
Squash growing on a plot
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.
Squash across the UK, town by town
SweetcornOutdoors 27 May to 28 Jun; Under cover 29 Apr to 26 Jul
Sweetcorn growing on a plot
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.
Sweetcorn across the UK, town by town

Roots

CarrotOutdoors 4 Apr to 3 Aug; Under cover 7 Mar to 31 Aug
Carrot growing on a plot
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.
Carrot across the UK, town by town
BeetrootOutdoors 4 Apr to 3 Aug; Under cover 7 Mar to 31 Aug
Beetroot growing on a plot
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.
Beetroot across the UK, town by town
ParsnipOutdoors 12 Mar to 17 Jun; Under cover 12 Feb to 15 Jul
Parsnip growing on a plot
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.
Parsnip across the UK, town by town
RadishOutdoors 12 Mar to 16 Sep; Under cover 12 Feb to 14 Oct
Radish growing on a plot
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.
Radish across the UK, town by town
PotatoOutdoors 12 Mar to 21 May; Under cover 12 Feb to 18 Jun
Potato growing on a plot
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.
Potato across the UK, town by town
TurnipOutdoors 12 Mar to 14 Aug; Under cover 12 Feb to 11 Sep
Turnip growing on a plot
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.
Turnip across the UK, town by town

Leaves

LettuceOutdoors 19 Mar to 10 Aug; Under cover 19 Feb to 7 Sep
Lettuce growing on a plot
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.
Lettuce across the UK, town by town
SpinachOutdoors 12 Mar to 20 Sep; Under cover 12 Feb to 18 Oct
Spinach growing on a plot
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.
Spinach across the UK, town by town
Swiss chardOutdoors 4 Apr to 14 Aug; Under cover 7 Mar to 11 Sep
Swiss chard growing on a plot
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.
Swiss chard across the UK, town by town
RocketOutdoors 12 Mar to 19 Sep; Under cover 12 Feb to 17 Oct
Rocket growing on a plot
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.
Rocket across the UK, town by town
CeleryOutdoors 17 Feb to 9 May; Under cover 20 Jan to 6 Jun
Celery growing on a plot
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.
Celery across the UK, town by town

Beans and peas

Runner beanOutdoors 27 May to 8 Jul; Under cover 29 Apr to 5 Aug
Runner bean growing on a plot
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.
Runner bean across the UK, town by town
French beanOutdoors 27 May to 25 Jul; Under cover 29 Apr to 22 Aug
French bean growing on a plot
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.
French bean across the UK, town by town
Broad beanOutdoors 23 Sep to 27 Nov; Under cover 26 Aug to 25 Dec
Broad bean growing on a plot
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.
Broad bean across the UK, town by town
PeaOutdoors 12 Mar to 12 Jul; Under cover 12 Feb to 9 Aug
Pea growing on a plot
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.
Pea across the UK, town by town

Onion family

OnionOutdoors 5 Mar to 9 May; Under cover 5 Feb to 6 Jun
Onion growing on a plot
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.
Onion across the UK, town by town
GarlicOutdoors 23 Sep to 11 Dec; Under cover 26 Aug to 8 Jan
Garlic growing on a plot
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.
Garlic across the UK, town by town
LeekOutdoors 12 Mar to 3 Aug; Under cover 12 Feb to 31 Aug
Leek growing on a plot
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.
Leek across the UK, town by town
Spring onionOutdoors 17 Feb to 6 Sep; Under cover 20 Jan to 4 Oct
Spring onion growing on a plot
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.
Spring onion across the UK, town by town
ShallotOutdoors 24 Jan to 9 May; Under cover 27 Dec to 6 Jun
Shallot growing on a plot
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.
Shallot across the UK, town by town

Brassicas

CabbageOutdoors 12 Mar to 3 Aug; Under cover 12 Feb to 31 Aug
Cabbage growing on a plot
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.
Cabbage across the UK, town by town
BroccoliOutdoors 4 Apr to 3 Aug; Under cover 7 Mar to 31 Aug
Broccoli growing on a plot
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.
Broccoli across the UK, town by town
CauliflowerOutdoors 12 Mar to 12 Jul; Under cover 12 Feb to 9 Aug
Cauliflower growing on a plot
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.
Cauliflower across the UK, town by town
Brussels sproutOutdoors 12 Mar to 27 May; Under cover 12 Feb to 24 Jun
Brussels sprout growing on a plot
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.
Brussels sprout across the UK, town by town
KaleOutdoors 4 Apr to 3 Aug; Under cover 7 Mar to 31 Aug
Kale growing on a plot
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.
Kale across the UK, town by town
Pak choiOutdoors 21 Apr to 1 Sep; Under cover 24 Mar to 29 Sep
Pak choi growing on a plot
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.
Pak choi across the UK, town by town

Herbs

BasilOutdoors 21 Apr to 31 Jul; Under cover 24 Mar to 28 Aug
Basil growing on a plot
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.
Basil across the UK, town by town
ParsleyOutdoors 12 Mar to 18 Aug; Under cover 12 Feb to 15 Sep
Parsley growing on a plot
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.
Parsley across the UK, town by town
CorianderOutdoors 4 Apr to 2 Sep; Under cover 7 Mar to 30 Sep
Coriander growing on a plot
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.
Coriander across the UK, town by town
ChivesOutdoors 12 Mar to 17 Jun; Under cover 12 Feb to 15 Jul
Chives growing on a plot
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.
Chives across the UK, town by town
MintOutdoors 4 Apr to 14 Oct; Under cover 7 Mar to 11 Nov
Mint growing on a plot
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.
Mint across the UK, town by town

Fruit

StrawberryOutdoors 12 Mar to 27 May; Under cover 12 Feb to 24 Jun
Strawberry growing on a plot
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.
Strawberry across the UK, town by town
RaspberryOutdoors 2 Nov to 23 Jan; Under cover 5 Oct to 20 Feb
Raspberry growing on a plot
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.
Raspberry across the UK, town by town
RhubarbOutdoors 12 Oct to 11 Jan; Under cover 14 Sep to 8 Feb
Rhubarb growing on a plot
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.
Rhubarb across the UK, town by town

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.

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 Newtownabbey. 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