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Knowing when to sow seeds can make the difference between strong, productive plants and seedlings that struggle in unsuitable conditions. This month-by-month UK sowing calendar covers vegetables, herbs and flowers, with guidance on whether to sow indoors, under cover or directly outside.
Sowing times are always influenced by local conditions. Gardens in colder, wetter or more exposed areas may need to wait longer for outdoor sowing, while sheltered gardens and warmer parts of the UK can often start slightly earlier. Check individual seed packets too, as timings can vary between varieties.
January is mainly a month for selective sowing under cover. Low light levels and cold outdoor soil make it too early for most seeds, but a few crops and flowers benefit from an early start.
Chillies and peppers
Very early sowings can be made indoors with warmth if you can provide seedlings with plenty of light. Otherwise, wait until February.
Aubergines
Start aubergines in a heated propagator or another reliably warm, bright position for greenhouse growing. If conditions aren’t favourable, wait until February.
Early salad crops
Small quantities of lettuce, spinach, salad onions and other leafy crops can be sown indoors or under suitable protection for an early crop.
Microgreens
Sow microgreens indoors on a bright windowsill for quick crops throughout winter.
Sweet peas
Sow in pots under cover and keep seedlings in a cool, bright, frost-free or sheltered position.
Begonias, lobelia, pelargoniums and salvias
These can be started with heat for an early display, but they require warmth and good light as the seedlings develop.
Increasing daylight makes February a more useful sowing month, although much early sowing still needs protection. Outdoor sowing should be governed by soil conditions rather than the calendar.
Tomatoes
From mid to late February, sow tomatoes with warmth if they will eventually be grown in a greenhouse. Tomatoes intended for outdoor growing can usually wait until March.
Broad beans
Sow hardy varieties outside where conditions are mild and the soil is workable, or start them in pots under cover in colder or wetter gardens.
Chillies, peppers and aubergines
Continue sowing indoors with warmth and good light.
Lettuce and salad leaves
Sow small batches under cover for early crops.
Peas
Early peas can be started under cover for planting out later.
Early outdoor vegetables
In mild areas with light, workable soil, early sowings of crops such as carrots, parsnips, beetroot, radish and spinach can begin. In cold or wet soil, wait.
Slow-growing summer flowers
Flowers requiring a long growing season can be started indoors where adequate warmth and light are available.
Sweet peas
Continue sowing under cover for planting out later in spring.
Hardy annuals
Some hardy annuals can be started under cover, particularly where outdoor soil is still too cold or wet.
March marks the beginning of the main sowing season, although conditions vary considerably across the UK. Hardy crops and flowers can increasingly be sown outside once the soil begins to warm and is dry enough to work.
Carrots and parsnips
Begin direct sowing into prepared soil when conditions are suitable. Delay sowing if the ground remains cold or waterlogged.
Beetroot
Sow outside in mild conditions or under protection for an earlier crop.
Broad beans and peas
Sow directly outside as conditions improve.
Lettuce, radish and spinach
Start regular small sowings to provide a succession of crops rather than one large harvest.
Spring onions
Sow directly outside in prepared soil or in containers.
Leeks
Sow in pots, modules or a prepared seedbed for transplanting later.
Tomatoes
March is the main month for sowing tomatoes indoors, particularly plants destined for outdoor growing.
Herbs
Begin sowing herbs such as parsley, coriander and chives. Tender basil is best kept warm indoors.
Hardy annuals
Cornflowers, calendula, nigella and other hardy annuals can be sown outside once the soil is workable.
Sunflowers
Start seeds in pots under cover, especially in colder areas. Later sowings can be made directly outside.
Half-hardy annuals
Start cosmos and other frost-tender summer flowers indoors for planting out after the last frost.
Wildflowers
Many wildflower mixtures can be sown onto prepared ground during March or April, depending on the mixture and soil conditions.
April is one of the busiest sowing months. Longer days and warming soil allow a much wider range of seeds to be sown directly outside, while tender crops can be started under cover for planting out later.
Leeks and chard
Sow outside in prepared seedbeds or start in modules.
Courgettes, pumpkins, squashes and marrows
Sow individually in pots under cover. Keep them warm and protect seedlings from frost.
Runner and French beans
Start under cover towards the latter part of the month if you have somewhere frost-free to keep them until planting out.
Sweetcorn
Sow under cover in individual pots or modules for planting out once conditions are reliably warm.
Carrots, beetroot and parsnips
Sow directly outside and continue with succession sowings where appropriate.
Peas and broad beans
Continue direct sowing for later crops.
Lettuce, radish, spinach and spring onions
Sow small batches regularly to extend the harvesting period.
Cucumbers
Sow greenhouse cucumbers under cover. Outdoor varieties can be sown later.
Herbs
Sow parsley, coriander, dill and chives, with tender herbs such as basil kept warm.
Hardy annuals
Direct sow calendula, cornflowers, nigella, poppies and other hardy annuals into prepared soil.
Sunflowers
Sow in pots or directly outside once conditions are suitable.
Cosmos and other half-hardy annuals
Continue sowing under cover for planting out after frost.
Nasturtiums
Sow under cover or directly outside in milder areas towards the end of the month.
By May, warming soil makes direct sowing practical for most hardy crops, while tender vegetables and flowers can increasingly be sown outside once frost risk has passed.
Courgettes, pumpkins, squashes and marrows
Continue sowing under cover or sow directly outside later in the month in warm conditions.
Runner and French beans
Sow directly outside once the soil has warmed and frost is no longer expected. Earlier sowings can still be made under cover.
Lettuce, radish and spring onions
Continue succession sowing.
Carrots and beetroot
Continue direct sowing, making smaller successive sowings if you want to spread the harvest.
Peas
Make further sowings for later crops.
Sweetcorn
Sow in pots or modules, or directly outside in warm, sheltered gardens once the soil has warmed.
Herbs
Sow coriander, dill, parsley and other hardy herbs outside. Basil can be sown indoors or under cover and moved outside when nights are reliably warm.
Sunflowers
Sow directly where they are to flower or in pots for planting out.
Nasturtiums
Sow directly into borders, containers or vegetable gardens.
Hardy annuals
Continue sowing quick-growing annuals where summer colour is wanted.
Half-hardy annuals
Cosmos, zinnias and similar tender annuals can be sown outside once frost risk has passed and the soil is warm.
Biennials
Towards the end of spring, begin sowing biennials that will establish this year and flower the following year.
Warm soil makes June an excellent month for direct sowing. It is also time to think beyond summer, with biennials, winter vegetables and later cropping salads beginning to enter the sowing calendar.
French and runner beans
Continue direct sowing, particularly early in the month, for later crops.
Courgettes and pumpkins
Early June is the final practical sowing period in many gardens if plants are to have enough time to mature before autumn.
Peas
Make final or later sowings according to variety and local conditions.
Carrots and beetroot
Continue sowing for autumn harvests.
Lettuce and spring onions
Continue succession sowing, keeping seedbeds moist during dry weather.
Florence fennel
Sow directly outside for late-summer and autumn crops.
Pak choi and oriental leaves
Sow pak choi and other oriental leaves outside for summer and autumn harvests. Keep seedlings well watered during dry weather.
Winter brassicas
Sow suitable broccoli, kale and other winter brassicas according to variety.
Nasturtiums and other fast-growing annuals
Direct sow for later summer colour.
Night-scented stock
Sow outside for flowers later in summer.
Biennials
Sow foxgloves, wallflowers, honesty and other biennials for flowering the following year.
Winter and spring bedding
Seeds of plants such as winter pansies can be sown during early summer for later displays.
July sowing is increasingly about extending harvests and preparing for autumn, winter and the following spring. Warm soil encourages rapid germination, but seedbeds can dry quickly.
Lettuce and salad leaves
Continue sowing small batches, choosing varieties suitable for summer conditions where possible.
Radishes
Sow regularly for quick crops, keeping the soil moist to encourage steady growth.
Carrots
Make later sowings of suitable varieties for autumn harvests.
Beetroot
Early July sowings can still provide useful later crops.
Kale and other winter greens
Sow suitable varieties for autumn and winter cropping.
Florence fennel
Continue sowing during July for autumn harvests.
Spring onions
Continue sowing for later crops.
Dwarf French beans
Make a final sowing early in the month for a late crop, particularly in warmer areas.
Biennials
Sow foxgloves, wallflowers, honesty and other biennials for flowers next year.
Delphiniums and perennials
Some hardy perennials can be sown from fresh or purchased seed during summer for future displays.
Winter and spring bedding
Continue sowing suitable bedding plants for autumn, winter or the following spring.
August sowing concentrates on quick-growing crops, autumn and winter salads, overwintering vegetables and flowers for the following year. Keep newly sown ground consistently moist during hot or dry weather.
Radishes
Continue sowing for fast autumn crops.
Spinach
Late-summer sowings can perform better than crops sown during the hottest part of summer and can provide autumn leaves.
Salad leaves and lettuce
Sow suitable autumn and winter varieties for cropping as temperatures fall.
Oriental leaves
Pak choi, mizuna, mustard greens and similar leafy crops can be sown as temperatures begin to moderate.
Spring onions
Sow hardy varieties for later crops or overwintering.
Winter greens
Sow suitable varieties of winter spinach and other hardy leafy vegetables for later picking.
Hardy annuals
Towards the end of summer, some hardy annuals can be sown for overwintering and earlier flowers the following year.
Biennials
Make final sowings of foxgloves and other biennials early enough for young plants to establish before winter.
September offers a second useful sowing season. Cooler temperatures and autumn moisture favour hardy annuals, winter salads and green manures, while some seeds benefit from spending winter outdoors.
Oriental leaves
Pak choi, mizuna, mustard greens and similar leafy crops can be sown as temperatures begin to moderate.
Spring onions
Sow hardy varieties for later crops or overwintering.
Winter greens
Sow suitable varieties of winter spinach and other hardy leafy vegetables for later picking.
Winter lettuce and salad leaves
Sow hardy varieties outdoors or under cover for autumn and winter picking.
Green manures
Sow suitable green manure crops onto vacant vegetable beds to cover and protect the soil.
Hardy annuals
Sow calendula, cornflowers, nigella and other suitable hardy annuals directly outside. Autumn-sown plants can establish before winter and flower earlier the following year.
Sweet peas
Autumn sowing can begin under cover for strong plants the following year.
Wildflowers
September is a useful sowing period for many wildflower mixtures, provided the soil is prepared and not prone to winter waterlogging.
The range of seeds suitable for sowing outside narrows during October, but hardy crops and flowers can still be started for overwintering. Earlier sowing is generally preferable in colder parts of the UK.
Broad beans
Sow hardy autumn varieties directly into well-drained soil for an early crop the following year. In cold or wet gardens, sowing in pots under cover may be more reliable.
Peas
Suitable hardy varieties can be autumn-sown in mild, sheltered areas or started under cover.
Winter lettuce and salads
Sow under cover for slower-growing winter crops.
Sweet peas
Sow under cover for overwintering and planting out the following spring.
Hardy annuals
Early October can still be suitable for autumn sowing where soil is workable and well drained. In colder or wetter areas, spring sowing may be safer.
November is a quiet sowing month, with low temperatures and light levels limiting germination and growth. A small number of hardy seeds can nevertheless be started for the following year.
Broad beans
Hardy varieties can still be sown outdoors in mild areas with free-draining soil. In cold or waterlogged gardens, sow into pots under cover or wait until spring.
Peas
Hardy round-seeded varieties may be sown in sheltered areas or under cover for an early crop, although spring sowing is often more reliable in colder gardens.
Winter salads
Small sowings can be made under protection where adequate light and suitable growing conditions are available.
Sweet peas
Continue autumn sowing under cover, keeping young plants cool and protected from severe weather.
Seeds requiring winter cold
Some perennials, alpines and woody plants need a period of cold to break dormancy and can be sown outdoors in pots during late autumn or winter.
December is primarily a planning month rather than a major sowing period. Short days and low temperatures make early sowing unnecessary for most plants, so avoid filling windowsills with seedlings that cannot receive enough light.
Microgreens
Quick-growing microgreens can be sown indoors on a bright windowsill for fresh winter leaves.
Early onions
Some gardeners sow onion seed from late December with warmth and good light to give plants a long growing season, although January is also suitable.
Sweet peas
Sweet peas can be sown under cover where suitable cool, bright conditions are available, although there is no need to rush if conditions are poor.
Seeds needing cold stratification
Seeds that require winter chilling can be sown in pots and left in a protected outdoor position so natural winter temperatures help break dormancy.
 Visit us in Kington. We can help you choose seeds and the sowing supplies you need for the season ahead, along with practical advice for growing in your garden.
