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England, UK

Planting calendar for Pitsea

Last frost around 15 March, first frost around 28 November: about 258 frost-free days.

Last frost
15 March
on average
First frost
28 November
on average
Frost-free days
258
in a typical year

Sow now: November

See the whole year

The year at a glance

When each crop can be sown in Pitsea. 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 Pitsea, 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: Sow under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow outdoors and under coverJuly: Not this monthAugust: 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: Sow 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
Sweet pepperJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Not this monthApril: Sow 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
AubergineJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Not this monthApril: Sow under coverMay: Sow outdoors and under coverJune: Sow outdoors and 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: Sow 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
CucumberJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Not this monthApril: Sow 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
SquashJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Not this monthApril: Sow 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
SweetcornJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Not this monthApril: Sow 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
Roots
CarrotJanuary: 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 under coverAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
BeetrootJanuary: 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 outdoors and under coverSeptember: Sow under coverOctober: 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 under coverJuly: Not this monthAugust: 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 under coverJune: Not this monthJuly: 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 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
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 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: Sow 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
French beanJanuary: Not this monthFebruary: Not this monthMarch: Not this monthApril: Sow under coverMay: Sow outdoors and 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
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 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: Not this monthAugust: Not this monthSeptember: 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 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 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 under coverAugust: Not this monthSeptember: 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 outdoors and under coverOctober: Sow under coverNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
ShallotJanuary: Plant outdoors and under coverFebruary: Plant outdoors and under coverMarch: Plant outdoors and under coverApril: Plant under coverMay: Not this monthJune: Not this monthJuly: Not this monthAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Plant under cover
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 under coverAugust: Not this monthSeptember: Not this monthOctober: Not this monthNovember: Not this monthDecember: Not this month
BroccoliJanuary: 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 under coverAugust: Not this monthSeptember: 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: Not this monthAugust: Not this monthSeptember: 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: Not this monthJuly: 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 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
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 outdoors and under coverOctober: Sow under coverNovember: 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: Not this monthSeptember: 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 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
ChivesJanuary: 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
MintJanuary: 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 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: Not this monthJuly: 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: Not this monthOctober: 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 14 May to 8 Jun; Under cover 16 Apr to 6 Jul
Tomato growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
14 May to 8 Jun
Under cover
16 Apr to 6 Jul
First harvest
About 95 days after sowing. Sown on 14 May, ready around 17 August.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Tomato across the UK, town by town
ChilliOutdoors 14 May to 9 Jun; Under cover 16 Apr to 7 Jul
Chilli growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
14 May to 9 Jun
Under cover
16 Apr to 7 Jul
First harvest
About 106 days after sowing. Sown on 14 May, ready around 28 August.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Chilli across the UK, town by town
Sweet pepperOutdoors 18 May to 13 Jun; Under cover 20 Apr to 11 Jul
Sweet pepper growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
18 May to 13 Jun
Under cover
20 Apr to 11 Jul
First harvest
About 101 days after sowing. Sown on 18 May, ready around 27 August.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Sweet pepper across the UK, town by town
AubergineOutdoors 18 May to 8 Jun; Under cover 20 Apr to 6 Jul
Aubergine growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
18 May to 8 Jun
Under cover
20 Apr to 6 Jul
First harvest
About 103 days after sowing. Sown on 18 May, ready around 29 August.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Aubergine across the UK, town by town
CourgetteOutdoors 14 May to 24 Jun; Under cover 16 Apr to 22 Jul
Courgette growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
14 May to 24 Jun
Under cover
16 Apr to 22 Jul
First harvest
About 58 days after sowing. Sown on 14 May, ready around 11 July.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Courgette across the UK, town by town
CucumberOutdoors 14 May to 24 Jun; Under cover 16 Apr to 22 Jul
Cucumber growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
14 May to 24 Jun
Under cover
16 Apr to 22 Jul
First harvest
About 67 days after sowing. Sown on 14 May, ready around 20 July.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Cucumber across the UK, town by town
SquashOutdoors 14 May to 14 Jun; Under cover 16 Apr to 12 Jul
Squash growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
14 May to 14 Jun
Under cover
16 Apr to 12 Jul
First harvest
About 95 days after sowing. Sown on 14 May, ready around 17 August.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Squash across the UK, town by town
SweetcornOutdoors 9 May to 14 Jun; Under cover 11 Apr to 12 Jul
Sweetcorn growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
9 May to 14 Jun
Under cover
11 Apr to 12 Jul
First harvest
About 90 days after sowing. Sown on 9 May, ready around 7 August.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.
Sweetcorn across the UK, town by town

Roots

CarrotOutdoors 25 Mar to 3 Jul; Under cover 25 Feb to 31 Jul
Carrot growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
25 Mar to 3 Jul
Under cover
25 Feb to 31 Jul
First harvest
About 101 days after sowing. Sown on 25 March, ready around 4 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Carrot across the UK, town by town
BeetrootOutdoors 25 Mar to 8 Jul, and 2 Aug to 13 Aug; Under cover 25 Feb to 13 Aug, and 30 Aug to 10 Sep
Beetroot growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
25 Mar to 8 Jul, and 2 Aug to 13 Aug
Under cover
25 Feb to 13 Aug, and 30 Aug to 10 Sep
First harvest
About 72 days after sowing. Sown on 25 March, ready around 5 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Beetroot across the UK, town by town
ParsnipOutdoors 6 Mar to 24 May; Under cover 6 Feb to 21 Jun
Parsnip growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
6 Mar to 24 May
Under cover
6 Feb to 21 Jun
First harvest
About 133 days after sowing. Sown on 6 March, ready around 17 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Parsnip across the UK, town by town
RadishOutdoors 6 Mar to 27 Sep; Under cover 6 Feb to 25 Oct
Radish growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
6 Mar to 27 Sep
Under cover
6 Feb to 25 Oct
First harvest
About 31 days after sowing. Sown on 6 March, ready around 6 April.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Radish across the UK, town by town
PotatoOutdoors 6 Mar to 4 May; Under cover 6 Feb to 1 Jun
Potato growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
6 Mar to 4 May
Under cover
6 Feb to 1 Jun
First harvest
About 105 days after planting. Planted on 6 March, ready around 19 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Potato across the UK, town by town
TurnipOutdoors 6 Mar to 29 Aug; Under cover 6 Feb to 26 Sep
Turnip growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
6 Mar to 29 Aug
Under cover
6 Feb to 26 Sep
First harvest
About 64 days after sowing. Sown on 6 March, ready around 9 May.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Turnip across the UK, town by town

Leaves

LettuceOutdoors 12 Mar to 24 Aug; Under cover 12 Feb to 21 Sep
Lettuce growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
12 Mar to 24 Aug
Under cover
12 Feb to 21 Sep
First harvest
About 73 days after sowing. Sown on 12 March, ready around 24 May.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Lettuce across the UK, town by town
SpinachOutdoors 6 Mar to 27 Sep; Under cover 6 Feb to 25 Oct
Spinach growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
6 Mar to 27 Sep
Under cover
6 Feb to 25 Oct
First harvest
About 49 days after sowing. Sown on 6 March, ready around 24 April.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Spinach across the UK, town by town
Swiss chardOutdoors 25 Mar to 29 Aug; Under cover 25 Feb to 26 Sep
Swiss chard growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
25 Mar to 29 Aug
Under cover
25 Feb to 26 Sep
First harvest
About 62 days after sowing. Sown on 25 March, ready around 26 May.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Swiss chard across the UK, town by town
RocketOutdoors 6 Mar to 27 Sep; Under cover 6 Feb to 25 Oct
Rocket growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
6 Mar to 27 Sep
Under cover
6 Feb to 25 Oct
First harvest
About 43 days after sowing. Sown on 6 March, ready around 18 April.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Rocket across the UK, town by town
CeleryOutdoors 17 Feb to 24 Apr; Under cover 20 Jan to 22 May
Celery growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
17 Feb to 24 Apr
Under cover
20 Jan to 22 May
First harvest
About 138 days after sowing. Sown on 17 February, ready around 5 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.
Celery across the UK, town by town

Beans and peas

Runner beanOutdoors 9 May to 24 Jun; Under cover 11 Apr to 22 Jul
Runner bean growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
9 May to 24 Jun
Under cover
11 Apr to 22 Jul
First harvest
About 83 days after sowing. Sown on 9 May, ready around 31 July.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.
Runner bean across the UK, town by town
French beanOutdoors 9 May to 9 Jul; Under cover 11 Apr to 6 Aug
French bean growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
9 May to 9 Jul
Under cover
11 Apr to 6 Aug
First harvest
About 67 days after sowing. Sown on 9 May, ready around 15 July.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.
French bean across the UK, town by town
Broad beanOutdoors 10 Oct to 29 Nov; Under cover 12 Sep to 27 Dec
Broad bean growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
10 Oct to 29 Nov
Under cover
12 Sep to 27 Dec
First harvest
About 220 days after sowing. Sown on 10 October, ready around 18 May.
Warmth
Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.
Broad bean across the UK, town by town
PeaOutdoors 6 Mar to 7 Jun; Under cover 6 Feb to 5 Jul
Pea growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
6 Mar to 7 Jun
Under cover
6 Feb to 5 Jul
First harvest
About 85 days after sowing. Sown on 6 March, ready around 30 May.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Pea across the UK, town by town

Onion family

OnionOutdoors 28 Feb to 24 Apr; Under cover 31 Jan to 22 May
Onion growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
28 Feb to 24 Apr
Under cover
31 Jan to 22 May
First harvest
About 143 days after planting. Planted on 28 February, ready around 21 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Onion across the UK, town by town
GarlicOutdoors 10 Oct to 10 Dec; Under cover 12 Sep to 7 Jan
Garlic growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
10 Oct to 10 Dec
Under cover
12 Sep to 7 Jan
First harvest
About 250 days after planting. Planted on 10 October, ready around 17 June.
Warmth
Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.
Garlic across the UK, town by town
LeekOutdoors 6 Mar to 21 Jun; Under cover 6 Feb to 19 Jul
Leek growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
6 Mar to 21 Jun
Under cover
6 Feb to 19 Jul
First harvest
About 151 days after sowing. Sown on 6 March, ready around 4 August.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Leek across the UK, town by town
Spring onionOutdoors 17 Feb to 13 Sep; Under cover 20 Jan to 11 Oct
Spring onion growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
17 Feb to 13 Sep
Under cover
20 Jan to 11 Oct
First harvest
About 78 days after sowing. Sown on 17 February, ready around 6 May.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.
Spring onion across the UK, town by town
ShallotOutdoors 19 Jan to 3 Apr; Under cover 22 Dec to 1 May
Shallot growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
19 Jan to 3 Apr
Under cover
22 Dec to 1 May
First harvest
About 79 days after planting. Planted on 19 January, ready around 8 April.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.
Shallot across the UK, town by town

Brassicas

CabbageOutdoors 6 Mar to 6 Jul; Under cover 6 Feb to 3 Aug
Cabbage growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
6 Mar to 6 Jul
Under cover
6 Feb to 3 Aug
First harvest
About 114 days after sowing. Sown on 6 March, ready around 28 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Cabbage across the UK, town by town
BroccoliOutdoors 25 Mar to 23 Jun; Under cover 25 Feb to 21 Jul
Broccoli growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
25 Mar to 23 Jun
Under cover
25 Feb to 21 Jul
First harvest
About 92 days after sowing. Sown on 25 March, ready around 25 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Broccoli across the UK, town by town
CauliflowerOutdoors 6 Mar to 7 Jun; Under cover 6 Feb to 5 Jul
Cauliflower growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
6 Mar to 7 Jun
Under cover
6 Feb to 5 Jul
First harvest
About 124 days after sowing. Sown on 6 March, ready around 8 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Cauliflower across the UK, town by town
Brussels sproutOutdoors 6 Mar to 9 May; Under cover 6 Feb to 6 Jun
Brussels sprout growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
6 Mar to 9 May
Under cover
6 Feb to 6 Jun
First harvest
About 174 days after sowing. Sown on 6 March, ready around 27 August.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Brussels sprout across the UK, town by town
KaleOutdoors 25 Mar to 8 Jul, and 2 Aug to 8 Aug; Under cover 25 Feb to 8 Aug, and 30 Aug to 5 Sep
Kale growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
25 Mar to 8 Jul, and 2 Aug to 8 Aug
Under cover
25 Feb to 8 Aug, and 30 Aug to 5 Sep
First harvest
About 82 days after sowing. Sown on 25 March, ready around 15 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Kale across the UK, town by town
Pak choiOutdoors 8 Apr to 13 Sep; Under cover 11 Mar to 11 Oct
Pak choi growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
8 Apr to 13 Sep
Under cover
11 Mar to 11 Oct
First harvest
About 46 days after sowing. Sown on 8 April, ready around 24 May.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 8°C; bolts in hot weather.
Pak choi across the UK, town by town

Herbs

BasilOutdoors 8 Apr to 8 Jul; Under cover 11 Mar to 5 Aug
Basil growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
8 Apr to 8 Jul
Under cover
11 Mar to 5 Aug
First harvest
About 61 days after sowing. Sown on 8 April, ready around 8 June.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 8°C or more, and no frost.
Basil across the UK, town by town
ParsleyOutdoors 6 Mar to 29 Aug; Under cover 6 Feb to 26 Sep
Parsley growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
6 Mar to 29 Aug
Under cover
6 Feb to 26 Sep
First harvest
About 80 days after sowing. Sown on 6 March, ready around 25 May.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Parsley across the UK, town by town
CorianderOutdoors 25 Mar to 13 Sep; Under cover 25 Feb to 11 Oct
Coriander growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
25 Mar to 13 Sep
Under cover
25 Feb to 11 Oct
First harvest
About 52 days after sowing. Sown on 25 March, ready around 16 May.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 7°C; bolts in hot weather.
Coriander across the UK, town by town
ChivesOutdoors 6 Mar to 24 May; Under cover 6 Feb to 21 Jun
Chives growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
6 Mar to 24 May
Under cover
6 Feb to 21 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 25 Mar to 13 Oct; Under cover 25 Feb to 10 Nov
Mint growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
25 Mar to 13 Oct
Under cover
25 Feb to 10 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 6 Mar to 9 May; Under cover 6 Feb to 6 Jun
Strawberry growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
6 Mar to 9 May
Under cover
6 Feb to 6 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 9 Nov to 19 Jan; Under cover 12 Oct to 16 Feb
Raspberry growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
9 Nov to 19 Jan
Under cover
12 Oct to 16 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 23 Oct to 29 Dec; Under cover 25 Sep to 26 Jan
Rhubarb growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
23 Oct to 29 Dec
Under cover
25 Sep 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.
Rhubarb across the UK, town by town

Questions about growing in Pitsea

When is the last frost in Pitsea?

On average around 15 March, and the first autumn frost comes around 28 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 Pitsea?

Yes. Plant them outdoors 14 May to 8 Jun, or under cover 16 Apr to 6 Jul.

What can I sow in Pitsea 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 Pitsea. 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