England, UK
Planting calendar for Stafford
Last frost around 9 April, first frost around 18 November: about 223 frost-free days.
- Last frost
- 9 April on average
- First frost
- 18 November on average
- Frost-free days
- 223 in a typical year
Sow now: November
See the whole yearOutdoors
Under cover
Nothing this month.
The year at a glance
When each crop can be sown in Stafford. 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: 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | ||||||||||||
| 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 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 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: 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 | ||||||||||||
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | ||||||||||||
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 under cover | October: Not this month | November: Not this month | December: Not this month | |
| 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 | ||||||||||||
| 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 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 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 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 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 outdoors and under cover | September: Sow outdoors and under cover | October: Sow under cover | November: Not this month | 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 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 21 May to 16 Jun; Under cover 23 Apr to 14 Jul

- Sow outdoors
- 21 May to 16 Jun
- Under cover
- 23 Apr to 14 Jul
- First harvest
- About 109 days after sowing. Sown on 21 May, ready around 7 September.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
ChilliOutdoors 20 May to 16 Jun; Under cover 22 Apr to 14 Jul

- Sow outdoors
- 20 May to 16 Jun
- Under cover
- 22 Apr to 14 Jul
- First harvest
- About 132 days after sowing. Sown on 20 May, ready around 29 September.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Sweet pepperOutdoors 25 May to 21 Jun; Under cover 27 Apr to 19 Jul

- Sow outdoors
- 25 May to 21 Jun
- Under cover
- 27 Apr to 19 Jul
- First harvest
- About 124 days after sowing. Sown on 25 May, ready around 26 September.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
AubergineOutdoors 25 May to 16 Jun; Under cover 27 Apr to 14 Jul

- Sow outdoors
- 25 May to 16 Jun
- Under cover
- 27 Apr to 14 Jul
- First harvest
- About 130 days after sowing. Sown on 25 May, ready around 2 October.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
CourgetteOutdoors 20 May to 1 Jul; Under cover 22 Apr to 29 Jul

- Sow outdoors
- 20 May to 1 Jul
- Under cover
- 22 Apr to 29 Jul
- First harvest
- About 61 days after sowing. Sown on 20 May, ready around 20 July.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
CucumberOutdoors 20 May to 1 Jul; Under cover 22 Apr to 29 Jul

- Sow outdoors
- 20 May to 1 Jul
- Under cover
- 22 Apr to 29 Jul
- First harvest
- About 71 days after sowing. Sown on 20 May, ready around 30 July.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
SquashOutdoors 20 May to 21 Jun; Under cover 22 Apr to 19 Jul

- Sow outdoors
- 20 May to 21 Jun
- Under cover
- 22 Apr to 19 Jul
- First harvest
- About 109 days after sowing. Sown on 20 May, ready around 6 September.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
SweetcornOutdoors 15 May to 21 Jun; Under cover 17 Apr to 19 Jul

- Sow outdoors
- 15 May to 21 Jun
- Under cover
- 17 Apr to 19 Jul
- First harvest
- About 100 days after sowing. Sown on 15 May, ready around 23 August.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.
Roots
CarrotOutdoors 31 Mar to 12 Jul; Under cover 3 Mar to 9 Aug

- Sow outdoors
- 31 Mar to 12 Jul
- Under cover
- 3 Mar to 9 Aug
- First harvest
- About 102 days after sowing. Sown on 31 March, ready around 11 July.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
BeetrootOutdoors 31 Mar to 18 Jul; Under cover 3 Mar to 15 Aug

- Sow outdoors
- 31 Mar to 18 Jul
- Under cover
- 3 Mar to 15 Aug
- First harvest
- About 72 days after sowing. Sown on 31 March, ready around 11 June.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
ParsnipOutdoors 13 Mar to 31 May; Under cover 13 Feb to 28 Jun

- Sow outdoors
- 13 Mar to 31 May
- Under cover
- 13 Feb to 28 Jun
- First harvest
- About 134 days after sowing. Sown on 13 March, ready around 25 July.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
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 30 days after sowing. Sown on 13 March, ready around 12 April.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
PotatoOutdoors 13 Mar to 10 May; Under cover 13 Feb to 7 Jun

- Plant outdoors
- 13 Mar to 10 May
- Under cover
- 13 Feb to 7 Jun
- First harvest
- About 104 days after planting. Planted on 13 March, ready around 25 June.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
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 63 days after sowing. Sown on 13 March, ready around 15 May.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
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 73 days after sowing. Sown on 18 March, ready around 30 May.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
SpinachOutdoors 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 48 days after sowing. Sown on 13 March, ready around 30 April.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Swiss chardOutdoors 31 Mar to 17 Aug; Under cover 3 Mar to 14 Sep

- Sow outdoors
- 31 Mar to 17 Aug
- Under cover
- 3 Mar to 14 Sep
- First harvest
- About 62 days after sowing. Sown on 31 March, ready around 1 June.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
RocketOutdoors 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 42 days after sowing. Sown on 13 March, ready around 24 April.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
CeleryOutdoors 25 Feb to 30 Apr; Under cover 28 Jan to 28 May

- Sow outdoors
- 25 Feb to 30 Apr
- Under cover
- 28 Jan to 28 May
- First harvest
- About 136 days after sowing. Sown on 25 February, ready around 11 July.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.
Beans and peas
Runner beanOutdoors 15 May to 1 Jul; Under cover 17 Apr to 29 Jul

- Sow outdoors
- 15 May to 1 Jul
- Under cover
- 17 Apr to 29 Jul
- First harvest
- About 90 days after sowing. Sown on 15 May, ready around 13 August.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.
French beanOutdoors 15 May to 18 Jul; Under cover 17 Apr to 15 Aug

- Sow outdoors
- 15 May to 18 Jul
- Under cover
- 17 Apr to 15 Aug
- First harvest
- About 71 days after sowing. Sown on 15 May, ready around 25 July.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.
Broad beanOutdoors 1 Oct to 22 Nov; Under cover 3 Sep to 20 Dec

- Sow outdoors
- 1 Oct to 22 Nov
- Under cover
- 3 Sep to 20 Dec
- First harvest
- About 220 days after sowing. Sown on 1 October, ready around 9 May.
- Warmth
- Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.
PeaOutdoors 13 Mar to 16 Jun; Under cover 13 Feb to 14 Jul

- Sow outdoors
- 13 Mar to 16 Jun
- Under cover
- 13 Feb to 14 Jul
- First harvest
- About 83 days after sowing. Sown on 13 March, ready around 4 June.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Onion family
OnionOutdoors 7 Mar to 30 Apr; Under cover 7 Feb to 28 May

- Plant outdoors
- 7 Mar to 30 Apr
- Under cover
- 7 Feb to 28 May
- First harvest
- About 144 days after planting. Planted on 7 March, ready around 29 July.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
GarlicOutdoors 1 Oct to 3 Dec; Under cover 3 Sep to 31 Dec

- Plant outdoors
- 1 Oct to 3 Dec
- Under cover
- 3 Sep to 31 Dec
- First harvest
- About 250 days after planting. Planted on 1 October, ready around 8 June.
- Warmth
- Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.
LeekOutdoors 13 Mar to 1 Jul; Under cover 13 Feb to 29 Jul

- Sow outdoors
- 13 Mar to 1 Jul
- Under cover
- 13 Feb to 29 Jul
- First harvest
- About 154 days after sowing. Sown on 13 March, ready around 14 August.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Spring onionOutdoors 25 Feb to 2 Sep; Under cover 28 Jan to 30 Sep

- Sow outdoors
- 25 Feb to 2 Sep
- Under cover
- 28 Jan to 30 Sep
- First harvest
- About 75 days after sowing. Sown on 25 February, ready around 11 May.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.
ShallotOutdoors 8 Feb to 30 Apr; Under cover 11 Jan to 28 May

- Plant outdoors
- 8 Feb to 30 Apr
- Under cover
- 11 Jan to 28 May
- First harvest
- About 140 days after planting. Planted on 8 February, ready around 28 June.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.
Brassicas
CabbageOutdoors 13 Mar to 18 Jul; Under cover 13 Feb to 15 Aug

- Sow outdoors
- 13 Mar to 18 Jul
- Under cover
- 13 Feb to 15 Aug
- First harvest
- About 114 days after sowing. Sown on 13 March, ready around 5 July.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
BroccoliOutdoors 31 Mar to 1 Jul; Under cover 3 Mar to 29 Jul

- Sow outdoors
- 31 Mar to 1 Jul
- Under cover
- 3 Mar to 29 Jul
- First harvest
- About 92 days after sowing. Sown on 31 March, ready around 1 July.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
CauliflowerOutdoors 13 Mar to 16 Jun; Under cover 13 Feb to 14 Jul

- Sow outdoors
- 13 Mar to 16 Jun
- Under cover
- 13 Feb to 14 Jul
- First harvest
- About 124 days after sowing. Sown on 13 March, ready around 15 July.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Brussels sproutOutdoors 13 Mar to 15 May; Under cover 13 Feb to 12 Jun

- Sow outdoors
- 13 Mar to 15 May
- Under cover
- 13 Feb to 12 Jun
- First harvest
- About 182 days after sowing. Sown on 13 March, ready around 11 September.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
KaleOutdoors 31 Mar to 18 Jul; Under cover 3 Mar to 15 Aug

- Sow outdoors
- 31 Mar to 18 Jul
- Under cover
- 3 Mar to 15 Aug
- First harvest
- About 82 days after sowing. Sown on 31 March, ready around 21 June.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Pak choiOutdoors 14 Apr to 2 Sep; Under cover 17 Mar to 30 Sep

- Sow outdoors
- 14 Apr to 2 Sep
- Under cover
- 17 Mar to 30 Sep
- First harvest
- About 46 days after sowing. Sown on 14 April, ready around 30 May.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 8°C; bolts in hot weather.
Herbs
BasilOutdoors 14 Apr to 18 Jul; Under cover 17 Mar to 15 Aug

- Sow outdoors
- 14 Apr to 18 Jul
- Under cover
- 17 Mar to 15 Aug
- First harvest
- About 62 days after sowing. Sown on 14 April, ready around 15 June.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 8°C or more, and no frost.
ParsleyOutdoors 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 78 days after sowing. Sown on 13 March, ready around 30 May.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
CorianderOutdoors 31 Mar to 2 Sep; Under cover 3 Mar to 30 Sep

- Sow outdoors
- 31 Mar to 2 Sep
- Under cover
- 3 Mar to 30 Sep
- First harvest
- About 52 days after sowing. Sown on 31 March, ready around 22 May.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 7°C; bolts in hot weather.
ChivesOutdoors 13 Mar to 31 May; Under cover 13 Feb to 28 Jun

- Sow outdoors
- 13 Mar to 31 May
- Under cover
- 13 Feb to 28 Jun
- First harvest
- Crops every year once it’s established.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
MintOutdoors 31 Mar to 3 Oct; Under cover 3 Mar to 31 Oct

- Sow outdoors
- 31 Mar to 3 Oct
- Under cover
- 3 Mar to 31 Oct
- First harvest
- Crops every year once it’s established.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Fruit
StrawberryOutdoors 13 Mar to 15 May; Under cover 13 Feb to 12 Jun

- Plant outdoors
- 13 Mar to 15 May
- Under cover
- 13 Feb to 12 Jun
- First harvest
- Crops every year once it’s established.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
RaspberryOutdoors 2 Nov to 18 Jan; Under cover 5 Oct to 15 Feb

- Plant outdoors
- 2 Nov to 18 Jan
- Under cover
- 5 Oct to 15 Feb
- First harvest
- Crops every year once it’s established.
- Warmth
- Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.
RhubarbOutdoors 16 Oct to 20 Dec; Under cover 18 Sep to 17 Jan

- Plant outdoors
- 16 Oct to 20 Dec
- Under cover
- 18 Sep to 17 Jan
- 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 Stafford
When is the last frost in Stafford?
On average around 9 April, and the first autumn frost comes around 18 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 Stafford?
Yes. Plant them outdoors 21 May to 16 Jun, or under cover 23 Apr to 14 Jul.
What can I sow in Stafford 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.
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
