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England, UK

Planting calendar for Thamesmead

Last frost around 29 March, first frost around 20 November: about 236 frost-free days.

Last frost
29 March
on average
First frost
20 November
on average
Frost-free days
236
in a typical year

Sow now: November

See the whole year

The year at a glance

When each crop can be sown in Thamesmead. 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 Thamesmead, 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 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 under coverJuly: Not this monthAugust: 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 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 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 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: Not this monthFebruary: 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 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
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 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 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: Sow outdoors and 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 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 12 May to 6 Jun; Under cover 14 Apr to 4 Jul
Tomato growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
12 May to 6 Jun
Under cover
14 Apr to 4 Jul
First harvest
About 95 days after sowing. Sown on 12 May, ready around 15 August.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Tomato across the UK, town by town
ChilliOutdoors 11 May to 6 Jun; Under cover 13 Apr to 4 Jul
Chilli growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
11 May to 6 Jun
Under cover
13 Apr to 4 Jul
First harvest
About 107 days after sowing. Sown on 11 May, ready around 26 August.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Chilli across the UK, town by town
Sweet pepperOutdoors 16 May to 11 Jun; Under cover 18 Apr to 9 Jul
Sweet pepper growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
16 May to 11 Jun
Under cover
18 Apr to 9 Jul
First harvest
About 101 days after sowing. Sown on 16 May, ready around 25 August.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Sweet pepper across the UK, town by town
AubergineOutdoors 16 May to 6 Jun; Under cover 18 Apr to 4 Jul
Aubergine growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
16 May to 6 Jun
Under cover
18 Apr to 4 Jul
First harvest
About 103 days after sowing. Sown on 16 May, ready around 27 August.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Aubergine across the UK, town by town
CourgetteOutdoors 11 May to 21 Jun; Under cover 13 Apr to 19 Jul
Courgette growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
11 May to 21 Jun
Under cover
13 Apr to 19 Jul
First harvest
About 58 days after sowing. Sown on 11 May, ready around 8 July.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Courgette across the UK, town by town
CucumberOutdoors 11 May to 21 Jun; Under cover 13 Apr to 19 Jul
Cucumber growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
11 May to 21 Jun
Under cover
13 Apr to 19 Jul
First harvest
About 66 days after sowing. Sown on 11 May, ready around 16 July.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Cucumber across the UK, town by town
SquashOutdoors 11 May to 11 Jun; Under cover 13 Apr to 9 Jul
Squash growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
11 May to 11 Jun
Under cover
13 Apr to 9 Jul
First harvest
About 95 days after sowing. Sown on 11 May, ready around 14 August.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.
Squash across the UK, town by town
SweetcornOutdoors 7 May to 12 Jun; Under cover 9 Apr to 10 Jul
Sweetcorn growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
7 May to 12 Jun
Under cover
9 Apr to 10 Jul
First harvest
About 91 days after sowing. Sown on 7 May, ready around 6 August.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.
Sweetcorn across the UK, town by town

Roots

CarrotOutdoors 23 Mar to 1 Jul; Under cover 23 Feb to 29 Jul
Carrot growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
23 Mar to 1 Jul
Under cover
23 Feb to 29 Jul
First harvest
About 101 days after sowing. Sown on 23 March, ready around 2 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Carrot across the UK, town by town
BeetrootOutdoors 23 Mar to 6 Jul, and 1 Aug to 12 Aug; Under cover 23 Feb to 12 Aug, and 29 Aug to 9 Sep
Beetroot growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
23 Mar to 6 Jul, and 1 Aug to 12 Aug
Under cover
23 Feb to 12 Aug, and 29 Aug to 9 Sep
First harvest
About 72 days after sowing. Sown on 23 March, ready around 3 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Beetroot across the UK, town by town
ParsnipOutdoors 5 Mar to 22 May; Under cover 5 Feb to 19 Jun
Parsnip growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
5 Mar to 22 May
Under cover
5 Feb to 19 Jun
First harvest
About 132 days after sowing. Sown on 5 March, ready around 15 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Parsnip across the UK, town by town
RadishOutdoors 5 Mar to 26 Sep; Under cover 5 Feb to 24 Oct
Radish growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
5 Mar to 26 Sep
Under cover
5 Feb to 24 Oct
First harvest
About 30 days after sowing. Sown on 5 March, ready around 4 April.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Radish across the UK, town by town
PotatoOutdoors 5 Mar to 2 May; Under cover 5 Feb to 30 May
Potato growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
5 Mar to 2 May
Under cover
5 Feb to 30 May
First harvest
About 103 days after planting. Planted on 5 March, ready around 16 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Potato across the UK, town by town
TurnipOutdoors 5 Mar to 28 Aug; Under cover 5 Feb to 25 Sep
Turnip growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
5 Mar to 28 Aug
Under cover
5 Feb to 25 Sep
First harvest
About 64 days after sowing. Sown on 5 March, ready around 8 May.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Turnip across the UK, town by town

Leaves

LettuceOutdoors 10 Mar to 23 Aug; Under cover 10 Feb to 20 Sep
Lettuce growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
10 Mar to 23 Aug
Under cover
10 Feb to 20 Sep
First harvest
About 73 days after sowing. Sown on 10 March, ready around 22 May.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Lettuce across the UK, town by town
SpinachOutdoors 5 Mar to 26 Sep; Under cover 5 Feb to 24 Oct
Spinach growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
5 Mar to 26 Sep
Under cover
5 Feb to 24 Oct
First harvest
About 48 days after sowing. Sown on 5 March, ready around 22 April.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Spinach across the UK, town by town
Swiss chardOutdoors 23 Mar to 28 Aug; Under cover 23 Feb to 25 Sep
Swiss chard growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
23 Mar to 28 Aug
Under cover
23 Feb to 25 Sep
First harvest
About 62 days after sowing. Sown on 23 March, ready around 24 May.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Swiss chard across the UK, town by town
RocketOutdoors 5 Mar to 26 Sep; Under cover 5 Feb to 24 Oct
Rocket growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
5 Mar to 26 Sep
Under cover
5 Feb to 24 Oct
First harvest
About 43 days after sowing. Sown on 5 March, ready around 17 April.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Rocket across the UK, town by town
CeleryOutdoors 17 Feb to 22 Apr; Under cover 20 Jan to 20 May
Celery growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
17 Feb to 22 Apr
Under cover
20 Jan to 20 May
First harvest
About 136 days after sowing. Sown on 17 February, ready around 3 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.
Celery across the UK, town by town

Beans and peas

Runner beanOutdoors 7 May to 22 Jun; Under cover 9 Apr to 20 Jul
Runner bean growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
7 May to 22 Jun
Under cover
9 Apr to 20 Jul
First harvest
About 83 days after sowing. Sown on 7 May, ready around 29 July.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.
Runner bean across the UK, town by town
French beanOutdoors 7 May to 7 Jul; Under cover 9 Apr to 4 Aug
French bean growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
7 May to 7 Jul
Under cover
9 Apr to 4 Aug
First harvest
About 67 days after sowing. Sown on 7 May, ready around 13 July.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.
French bean across the UK, town by town
Broad beanOutdoors 9 Oct to 28 Nov; Under cover 11 Sep to 26 Dec
Broad bean growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
9 Oct to 28 Nov
Under cover
11 Sep to 26 Dec
First harvest
About 220 days after sowing. Sown on 9 October, ready around 17 May.
Warmth
Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.
Broad bean across the UK, town by town
PeaOutdoors 5 Mar to 5 Jun; Under cover 5 Feb to 3 Jul
Pea growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
5 Mar to 5 Jun
Under cover
5 Feb to 3 Jul
First harvest
About 84 days after sowing. Sown on 5 March, ready around 28 May.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Pea across the UK, town by town

Onion family

OnionOutdoors 27 Feb to 22 Apr; Under cover 30 Jan to 20 May
Onion growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
27 Feb to 22 Apr
Under cover
30 Jan to 20 May
First harvest
About 142 days after planting. Planted on 27 February, ready around 19 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Onion across the UK, town by town
GarlicOutdoors 9 Oct to 8 Dec; Under cover 11 Sep to 5 Jan
Garlic growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
9 Oct to 8 Dec
Under cover
11 Sep to 5 Jan
First harvest
About 250 days after planting. Planted on 9 October, ready around 16 June.
Warmth
Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.
Garlic across the UK, town by town
LeekOutdoors 5 Mar to 20 Jun; Under cover 5 Feb to 18 Jul
Leek growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
5 Mar to 20 Jun
Under cover
5 Feb to 18 Jul
First harvest
About 149 days after sowing. Sown on 5 March, ready around 1 August.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Leek across the UK, town by town
Spring onionOutdoors 17 Feb to 12 Sep; Under cover 20 Jan to 10 Oct
Spring onion growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
17 Feb to 12 Sep
Under cover
20 Jan to 10 Oct
First harvest
About 76 days after sowing. Sown on 17 February, ready around 4 May.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.
Spring onion across the UK, town by town
ShallotOutdoors 23 Jan to 22 Apr; Under cover 26 Dec to 20 May
Shallot growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
23 Jan to 22 Apr
Under cover
26 Dec to 20 May
First harvest
About 149 days after planting. Planted on 23 January, ready around 21 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.
Shallot across the UK, town by town

Brassicas

CabbageOutdoors 5 Mar to 5 Jul; Under cover 5 Feb to 2 Aug
Cabbage growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
5 Mar to 5 Jul
Under cover
5 Feb to 2 Aug
First harvest
About 113 days after sowing. Sown on 5 March, ready around 26 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Cabbage across the UK, town by town
BroccoliOutdoors 23 Mar to 21 Jun; Under cover 23 Feb to 19 Jul
Broccoli growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
23 Mar to 21 Jun
Under cover
23 Feb to 19 Jul
First harvest
About 91 days after sowing. Sown on 23 March, ready around 22 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Broccoli across the UK, town by town
CauliflowerOutdoors 5 Mar to 5 Jun; Under cover 5 Feb to 3 Jul
Cauliflower growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
5 Mar to 5 Jun
Under cover
5 Feb to 3 Jul
First harvest
About 123 days after sowing. Sown on 5 March, ready around 6 July.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.
Cauliflower across the UK, town by town
Brussels sproutOutdoors 5 Mar to 7 May; Under cover 5 Feb to 4 Jun
Brussels sprout growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
5 Mar to 7 May
Under cover
5 Feb to 4 Jun
First harvest
About 173 days after sowing. Sown on 5 March, ready around 25 August.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Brussels sprout across the UK, town by town
KaleOutdoors 23 Mar to 6 Jul, and 1 Aug to 7 Aug; Under cover 23 Feb to 7 Aug, and 29 Aug to 4 Sep
Kale growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
23 Mar to 6 Jul, and 1 Aug to 7 Aug
Under cover
23 Feb to 7 Aug, and 29 Aug to 4 Sep
First harvest
About 82 days after sowing. Sown on 23 March, ready around 13 June.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.
Kale across the UK, town by town
Pak choiOutdoors 7 Apr to 12 Sep; Under cover 10 Mar to 10 Oct
Pak choi growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
7 Apr to 12 Sep
Under cover
10 Mar to 10 Oct
First harvest
About 46 days after sowing. Sown on 7 April, ready around 23 May.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 8°C; bolts in hot weather.
Pak choi across the UK, town by town

Herbs

BasilOutdoors 7 Apr to 7 Jul, and 1 Aug to 7 Aug; Under cover 10 Mar to 7 Aug, and 29 Aug to 4 Sep
Basil growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
7 Apr to 7 Jul, and 1 Aug to 7 Aug
Under cover
10 Mar to 7 Aug, and 29 Aug to 4 Sep
First harvest
About 60 days after sowing. Sown on 7 April, ready around 6 June.
Warmth
Tender: needs days averaging 8°C or more, and no frost.
Basil across the UK, town by town
ParsleyOutdoors 5 Mar to 28 Aug; Under cover 5 Feb to 25 Sep
Parsley growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
5 Mar to 28 Aug
Under cover
5 Feb to 25 Sep
First harvest
About 79 days after sowing. Sown on 5 March, ready around 23 May.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.
Parsley across the UK, town by town
CorianderOutdoors 23 Mar to 12 Sep; Under cover 23 Feb to 10 Oct
Coriander growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
23 Mar to 12 Sep
Under cover
23 Feb to 10 Oct
First harvest
About 52 days after sowing. Sown on 23 March, ready around 14 May.
Warmth
Hardy: grows once days average 7°C; bolts in hot weather.
Coriander across the UK, town by town
ChivesOutdoors 5 Mar to 22 May; Under cover 5 Feb to 19 Jun
Chives growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
5 Mar to 22 May
Under cover
5 Feb to 19 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 23 Mar to 12 Oct; Under cover 23 Feb to 9 Nov
Mint growing on a plot
Sow outdoors
23 Mar to 12 Oct
Under cover
23 Feb to 9 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 5 Mar to 7 May; Under cover 5 Feb to 4 Jun
Strawberry growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
5 Mar to 7 May
Under cover
5 Feb to 4 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 8 Nov to 18 Jan; Under cover 11 Oct to 15 Feb
Raspberry growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
8 Nov to 18 Jan
Under cover
11 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.
Raspberry across the UK, town by town
RhubarbOutdoors 23 Oct to 27 Dec; Under cover 25 Sep to 24 Jan
Rhubarb growing on a plot
Plant outdoors
23 Oct to 27 Dec
Under cover
25 Sep to 24 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 Thamesmead

When is the last frost in Thamesmead?

On average around 29 March, and the first autumn frost comes around 20 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 Thamesmead?

Yes. Plant them outdoors 12 May to 6 Jun, or under cover 14 Apr to 4 Jul.

What can I sow in Thamesmead 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 Thamesmead. 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