Recommended sowing times in the North West for common vegetable varieties.
Broad Beans:
1. Sow under cover in autumn and keep protected over winter. Plant out in poly-tunnel in early spring.
2. Sow under cover in early spring. Harden off and plant outside in early May.
3. Sow directly outside late April onwards.
French Beans / Runner Beans
Sow under cover in spring. Plant out in poly-tunnel or under cloches. Supports required for climbing varieties.
Beetroot
Sow outside from late April.
Sprouting Broccoli / Brussels Sprout / Cabbage (Winter) / Kale
Sow under cover in spring. Plant outside in early summer. Plant some in poly-tunnel to ensure continuity.
Cabbage (Summer) / Calabrese / Cauliflower (Autumn)
Sow under cover in spring. Plant outside in May.
Carrot
1. Sow under cover early spring.
2. Sow outside from late April.
Cauliflower (Spring)
Sow late summer under cover. Plant out in autumn in poly-tunnel (or in good shelter outside).
Celery
Sow early summer under cover. Plant out, inside or out, for winter cropping.
Courgette / Cucumber
Sow under cover in late spring. Plant out under cover.
Lettuce
1. Sow suitable variety under cover in autumn.
2. Sow under cover in spring.
3. Sow outside May onwards.
Onion
Best grown from sets. Season is not long enough for seed. Japanese varieties can be planted in poly-tunnels in
autumn. Spring onions can be sown inside from March, outside from May. In a late season, sets can be planted in modular trays, to develop roots, and plant out when conditions are better.
Parsnip
Sow outside in early May.
Radish / Spinach
Sow inside from March, outside in late April.
Sweet Corn
Sow inside from April. Plant out in poly-tunnel.
Tomato
Sow in heat as early as possible (Jan/Feb on warm windowsill). Keep frost free. plant out under cover in May.
Turnip
Sow outside from late April.
1. Sow under cover in autumn and keep protected over winter. Plant out in poly-tunnel in early spring.
2. Sow under cover in early spring. Harden off and plant outside in early May.
3. Sow directly outside late April onwards.
French Beans / Runner Beans
Sow under cover in spring. Plant out in poly-tunnel or under cloches. Supports required for climbing varieties.
Beetroot
Sow outside from late April.
Sprouting Broccoli / Brussels Sprout / Cabbage (Winter) / Kale
Sow under cover in spring. Plant outside in early summer. Plant some in poly-tunnel to ensure continuity.
Cabbage (Summer) / Calabrese / Cauliflower (Autumn)
Sow under cover in spring. Plant outside in May.
Carrot
1. Sow under cover early spring.
2. Sow outside from late April.
Cauliflower (Spring)
Sow late summer under cover. Plant out in autumn in poly-tunnel (or in good shelter outside).
Celery
Sow early summer under cover. Plant out, inside or out, for winter cropping.
Courgette / Cucumber
Sow under cover in late spring. Plant out under cover.
Lettuce
1. Sow suitable variety under cover in autumn.
2. Sow under cover in spring.
3. Sow outside May onwards.
Onion
Best grown from sets. Season is not long enough for seed. Japanese varieties can be planted in poly-tunnels in
autumn. Spring onions can be sown inside from March, outside from May. In a late season, sets can be planted in modular trays, to develop roots, and plant out when conditions are better.
Parsnip
Sow outside in early May.
Radish / Spinach
Sow inside from March, outside in late April.
Sweet Corn
Sow inside from April. Plant out in poly-tunnel.
Tomato
Sow in heat as early as possible (Jan/Feb on warm windowsill). Keep frost free. plant out under cover in May.
Turnip
Sow outside from late April.
