England, UK

Planting calendar for St Helens

Last frost around 29 March, first frost around 21 November: about 237 frost-free days.

Last frost: 29 March
First frost: 21 November
Frost-free days: 237

Sow now: November

See the whole year

Outdoors

Broad bean
Garlic
Raspberry
Rhubarb

Under cover

Nothing this month.

The year at a glance

When each crop can be sown in St Helens. 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 St Helens, month by month. Each month says whether you can sow outdoors, under cover, or both.
Crop	JJan	FFeb	MMar	AApr	MMay	JJun	JJul	AAug	SSep	OOct	NNov	DDec
Fruiting
Tomato	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow under cover	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Chilli	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow under cover	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Sweet pepper	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Sow under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow under cover	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Aubergine	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Sow under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow under cover	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Courgette	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	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
Cucumber	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	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
Squash	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow under cover	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Sweetcorn	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Sow under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow under cover	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Roots
Carrot	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Sow under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Beetroot	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Sow under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Parsnip	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow under cover	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Radish	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow under cover	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Potato	January: Not this month	February: Plant under cover	March: Plant outdoors and under cover	April: Plant outdoors and under cover	May: Plant outdoors and under cover	June: Plant under cover	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Turnip	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow under cover	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Leaves
Lettuce	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow under cover	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Spinach	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow under cover	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Swiss chard	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Sow under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow under cover	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Rocket	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow under cover	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Celery	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow under cover	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Beans and peas
Runner bean	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Sow under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
French bean	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Sow under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Broad bean	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Sow under cover	October: Sow outdoors and under cover	November: Sow outdoors and under cover	December: Sow under cover
Pea	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow under cover	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Onion family
Onion	January: Not this month	February: Plant under cover	March: Plant outdoors and under cover	April: Plant outdoors and under cover	May: Plant under cover	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Garlic	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Plant under cover	October: Plant outdoors and under cover	November: Plant outdoors and under cover	December: Plant under cover
Leek	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Spring onion	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow under cover	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Shallot	January: Plant under cover	February: Plant outdoors and under cover	March: Plant outdoors and under cover	April: Plant outdoors and under cover	May: Plant under cover	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Brassicas
Cabbage	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Broccoli	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Sow under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Cauliflower	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow under cover	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Brussels sprout	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow under cover	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Kale	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Sow under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Pak choi	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Sow under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow under cover	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Herbs
Basil	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Sow under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Parsley	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow under cover	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Coriander	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Sow under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow under cover	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Chives	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow under cover	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Mint	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Sow under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow under cover	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Fruit
Strawberry	January: Not this month	February: Plant under cover	March: Plant outdoors and under cover	April: Plant outdoors and under cover	May: Plant outdoors and under cover	June: Plant under cover	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Raspberry	January: Plant 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
Rhubarb	January: Plant under cover	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Plant under cover	October: Plant outdoors and under cover	November: Plant outdoors and under cover	December: Plant outdoors and under cover

Fruit rows show when to plant, not sow.

Crop by crop

Fruiting

TomatoOutdoors 25 May to 22 Jun; Under cover 27 Apr to 20 Jul

Sow outdoors: 25 May to 22 Jun
Under cover: 27 Apr to 20 Jul
First harvest: About 117 days after sowing. Sown on 25 May, ready around 19 September.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Tomato across the UK, town by town

ChilliOutdoors 23 May to 22 Jun; Under cover 25 Apr to 20 Jul

Sow outdoors: 23 May to 22 Jun
Under cover: 25 Apr to 20 Jul
First harvest: About 224 days after sowing. Sown on 23 May, ready around 2 January.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Chilli across the UK, town by town

Sweet pepperOutdoors 29 May to 28 Jun; Under cover 1 May to 26 Jul

Sow outdoors: 29 May to 28 Jun
Under cover: 1 May to 26 Jul
First harvest: About 208 days after sowing. Sown on 29 May, ready around 23 December.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Sweet pepper across the UK, town by town

AubergineOutdoors 29 May to 22 Jun; Under cover 1 May to 20 Jul

Sow outdoors: 29 May to 22 Jun
Under cover: 1 May to 20 Jul
First harvest: About 240 days after sowing. Sown on 29 May, ready around 24 January.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Aubergine across the UK, town by town

CourgetteOutdoors 23 May to 13 Jul; Under cover 25 Apr to 10 Aug

Sow outdoors: 23 May to 13 Jul
Under cover: 25 Apr to 10 Aug
First harvest: About 63 days after sowing. Sown on 23 May, ready around 25 July.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Courgette across the UK, town by town

CucumberOutdoors 23 May to 13 Jul; Under cover 25 Apr to 10 Aug

Sow outdoors: 23 May to 13 Jul
Under cover: 25 Apr to 10 Aug
First harvest: About 73 days after sowing. Sown on 23 May, ready around 4 August.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Cucumber across the UK, town by town

SquashOutdoors 23 May to 28 Jun; Under cover 25 Apr to 26 Jul

Sow outdoors: 23 May to 28 Jun
Under cover: 25 Apr to 26 Jul
First harvest: About 117 days after sowing. Sown on 23 May, ready around 17 September.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Squash across the UK, town by town

SweetcornOutdoors 18 May to 28 Jun; Under cover 20 Apr to 26 Jul

Sow outdoors: 18 May to 28 Jun
Under cover: 20 Apr to 26 Jul
First harvest: About 106 days after sowing. Sown on 18 May, ready around 1 September.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.

Sweetcorn across the UK, town by town

Roots

CarrotOutdoors 1 Apr to 1 Aug; Under cover 4 Mar to 29 Aug

Sow outdoors: 1 Apr to 1 Aug
Under cover: 4 Mar to 29 Aug
First harvest: About 105 days after sowing. Sown on 1 April, ready around 15 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Carrot across the UK, town by town

BeetrootOutdoors 1 Apr to 1 Aug; Under cover 4 Mar to 29 Aug

Sow outdoors: 1 Apr to 1 Aug
Under cover: 4 Mar to 29 Aug
First harvest: About 74 days after sowing. Sown on 1 April, ready around 14 June.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Beetroot across the UK, town by town

ParsnipOutdoors 13 Mar to 5 Jun; Under cover 13 Feb to 3 Jul

Sow outdoors: 13 Mar to 5 Jun
Under cover: 13 Feb to 3 Jul
First harvest: About 138 days after sowing. Sown on 13 March, ready around 29 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Parsnip across the UK, town by town

RadishOutdoors 13 Mar to 17 Sep; Under cover 13 Feb to 15 Oct

Sow outdoors: 13 Mar to 17 Sep
Under cover: 13 Feb to 15 Oct
First harvest: About 31 days after sowing. Sown on 13 March, ready around 13 April.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Radish across the UK, town by town

PotatoOutdoors 13 Mar to 13 May; Under cover 13 Feb to 10 Jun

Plant outdoors: 13 Mar to 13 May
Under cover: 13 Feb to 10 Jun
First harvest: About 107 days after planting. Planted on 13 March, ready around 28 June.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Potato across the UK, town by town

TurnipOutdoors 13 Mar to 17 Aug; Under cover 13 Feb to 14 Sep

Sow outdoors: 13 Mar to 17 Aug
Under cover: 13 Feb to 14 Sep
First harvest: About 65 days after sowing. Sown on 13 March, ready around 17 May.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Turnip across the UK, town by town

Leaves

LettuceOutdoors 18 Mar to 12 Aug; Under cover 18 Feb to 9 Sep

Sow outdoors: 18 Mar to 12 Aug
Under cover: 18 Feb to 9 Sep
First harvest: About 75 days after sowing. Sown on 18 March, ready around 1 June.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Lettuce across the UK, town by town

SpinachOutdoors 13 Mar to 19 Sep; Under cover 13 Feb to 17 Oct

Sow outdoors: 13 Mar to 19 Sep
Under cover: 13 Feb to 17 Oct
First harvest: About 49 days after sowing. Sown on 13 March, ready around 1 May.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Spinach across the UK, town by town

Swiss chardOutdoors 1 Apr to 17 Aug; Under cover 4 Mar to 14 Sep

Sow outdoors: 1 Apr to 17 Aug
Under cover: 4 Mar to 14 Sep
First harvest: About 63 days after sowing. Sown on 1 April, ready around 3 June.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Swiss chard across the UK, town by town

RocketOutdoors 13 Mar to 18 Sep; Under cover 13 Feb to 16 Oct

Sow outdoors: 13 Mar to 18 Sep
Under cover: 13 Feb to 16 Oct
First harvest: About 43 days after sowing. Sown on 13 March, ready around 25 April.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Rocket across the UK, town by town

CeleryOutdoors 24 Feb to 2 May; Under cover 27 Jan to 30 May

Sow outdoors: 24 Feb to 2 May
Under cover: 27 Jan to 30 May
First harvest: About 140 days after sowing. Sown on 24 February, ready around 14 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.

Celery across the UK, town by town

Beans and peas

Runner beanOutdoors 18 May to 13 Jul; Under cover 20 Apr to 10 Aug

Sow outdoors: 18 May to 13 Jul
Under cover: 20 Apr to 10 Aug
First harvest: About 95 days after sowing. Sown on 18 May, ready around 21 August.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.

Runner bean across the UK, town by town

French beanOutdoors 18 May to 31 Jul; Under cover 20 Apr to 28 Aug

Sow outdoors: 18 May to 31 Jul
Under cover: 20 Apr to 28 Aug
First harvest: About 74 days after sowing. Sown on 18 May, ready around 31 July.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.

French bean across the UK, town by town

Broad beanOutdoors 30 Sep to 25 Nov; Under cover 2 Sep to 23 Dec

Sow outdoors: 30 Sep to 25 Nov
Under cover: 2 Sep to 23 Dec
First harvest: About 220 days after sowing. Sown on 30 September, ready around 8 May.
Warmth: Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.

Broad bean across the UK, town by town

PeaOutdoors 13 Mar to 22 Jun; Under cover 13 Feb to 20 Jul

Sow outdoors: 13 Mar to 22 Jun
Under cover: 13 Feb to 20 Jul
First harvest: About 86 days after sowing. Sown on 13 March, ready around 7 June.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Pea across the UK, town by town

Onion family

OnionOutdoors 7 Mar to 2 May; Under cover 7 Feb to 30 May

Plant outdoors: 7 Mar to 2 May
Under cover: 7 Feb to 30 May
First harvest: About 149 days after planting. Planted on 7 March, ready around 3 August.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Onion across the UK, town by town

GarlicOutdoors 30 Sep to 6 Dec; Under cover 2 Sep to 3 Jan

Plant outdoors: 30 Sep to 6 Dec
Under cover: 2 Sep to 3 Jan
First harvest: About 250 days after planting. Planted on 30 September, ready around 7 June.
Warmth: Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.

Garlic across the UK, town by town

LeekOutdoors 13 Mar to 13 Jul; Under cover 13 Feb to 10 Aug

Sow outdoors: 13 Mar to 13 Jul
Under cover: 13 Feb to 10 Aug
First harvest: About 158 days after sowing. Sown on 13 March, ready around 18 August.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Leek across the UK, town by town

Spring onionOutdoors 24 Feb to 4 Sep; Under cover 27 Jan to 2 Oct

Sow outdoors: 24 Feb to 4 Sep
Under cover: 27 Jan to 2 Oct
First harvest: About 77 days after sowing. Sown on 24 February, ready around 12 May.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.

Spring onion across the UK, town by town

ShallotOutdoors 3 Feb to 2 May; Under cover 6 Jan to 30 May

Plant outdoors: 3 Feb to 2 May
Under cover: 6 Jan to 30 May
First harvest: About 149 days after planting. Planted on 3 February, ready around 2 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.

Shallot across the UK, town by town

Brassicas

CabbageOutdoors 13 Mar to 1 Aug; Under cover 13 Feb to 29 Aug

Sow outdoors: 13 Mar to 1 Aug
Under cover: 13 Feb to 29 Aug
First harvest: About 117 days after sowing. Sown on 13 March, ready around 8 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Cabbage across the UK, town by town

BroccoliOutdoors 1 Apr to 13 Jul; Under cover 4 Mar to 10 Aug

Sow outdoors: 1 Apr to 13 Jul
Under cover: 4 Mar to 10 Aug
First harvest: About 94 days after sowing. Sown on 1 April, ready around 4 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Broccoli across the UK, town by town

CauliflowerOutdoors 13 Mar to 22 Jun; Under cover 13 Feb to 20 Jul

Sow outdoors: 13 Mar to 22 Jun
Under cover: 13 Feb to 20 Jul
First harvest: About 127 days after sowing. Sown on 13 March, ready around 18 July.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Cauliflower across the UK, town by town

Brussels sproutOutdoors 13 Mar to 18 May; Under cover 13 Feb to 15 Jun

Sow outdoors: 13 Mar to 18 May
Under cover: 13 Feb to 15 Jun
First harvest: About 189 days after sowing. Sown on 13 March, ready around 18 September.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Brussels sprout across the UK, town by town

KaleOutdoors 1 Apr to 1 Aug; Under cover 4 Mar to 29 Aug

Sow outdoors: 1 Apr to 1 Aug
Under cover: 4 Mar to 29 Aug
First harvest: About 84 days after sowing. Sown on 1 April, ready around 24 June.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Kale across the UK, town by town

Pak choiOutdoors 16 Apr to 2 Sep; Under cover 19 Mar to 30 Sep

Sow outdoors: 16 Apr to 2 Sep
Under cover: 19 Mar to 30 Sep
First harvest: About 47 days after sowing. Sown on 16 April, ready around 2 June.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 8°C; bolts in hot weather.

Pak choi across the UK, town by town

Herbs

BasilOutdoors 16 Apr to 1 Aug; Under cover 19 Mar to 29 Aug

Sow outdoors: 16 Apr to 1 Aug
Under cover: 19 Mar to 29 Aug
First harvest: About 64 days after sowing. Sown on 16 April, ready around 19 June.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 8°C or more, and no frost.

Basil across the UK, town by town

ParsleyOutdoors 13 Mar to 18 Aug; Under cover 13 Feb to 15 Sep

Sow outdoors: 13 Mar to 18 Aug
Under cover: 13 Feb to 15 Sep
First harvest: About 81 days after sowing. Sown on 13 March, ready around 2 June.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Parsley across the UK, town by town

CorianderOutdoors 1 Apr to 3 Sep; Under cover 4 Mar to 1 Oct

Sow outdoors: 1 Apr to 3 Sep
Under cover: 4 Mar to 1 Oct
First harvest: About 53 days after sowing. Sown on 1 April, ready around 24 May.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C; bolts in hot weather.

Coriander across the UK, town by town

ChivesOutdoors 13 Mar to 5 Jun; Under cover 13 Feb to 3 Jul

Sow outdoors: 13 Mar to 5 Jun
Under cover: 13 Feb to 3 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 1 Apr to 6 Oct; Under cover 4 Mar to 3 Nov

Sow outdoors: 1 Apr to 6 Oct
Under cover: 4 Mar to 3 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 13 Mar to 18 May; Under cover 13 Feb to 15 Jun

Plant outdoors: 13 Mar to 18 May
Under cover: 13 Feb to 15 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 3 Nov to 21 Jan; Under cover 6 Oct to 18 Feb

Plant outdoors: 3 Nov to 21 Jan
Under cover: 6 Oct to 18 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 16 Oct to 26 Dec; Under cover 18 Sep to 23 Jan

Plant outdoors: 16 Oct to 26 Dec
Under cover: 18 Sep to 23 Jan
First harvest: Crops every year once it’s established.
Warmth: Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.

Rhubarb across the UK, town by town

Nearby

Also covers

Widnes, Runcorn, Huyton, and nearby villages. Dates are within a few days across the area.

Questions about growing in St Helens

When is the last frost in St Helens?

On average around 29 March, and the first autumn frost comes around 21 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 St Helens?

Yes. Plant them outdoors 25 May to 22 Jun, or under cover 27 Apr to 20 Jul.

What can I sow in St Helens 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 St Helens. 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