There’s a huge trend at the moment for growing your own vegetables – and it’s hardly surprising. Not only does it save money, but planting and harvesting your own food provides a huge amount of satisfaction. What’s more, those who are already ardent veg-growers tend to be unanimous in their view that home-grown food simply tastes better.
The folk at Miracle-Gro were kind enough to talk us through the optimum times at which to sow and harvest all the best British vegetables*. Click on the month you want to see or scroll down for the entire year.
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
January
Sow inside: Summer/autumn cabbage
Harvest: Brussels sprouts, leeks, parsnips, purple sprouting, winter cabbage
February
Sow inside: Summer/autumn cabbage
Harvest: Brussels sprouts, leeks, parsnips, purple sprouting, winter cabbage
Sow outside in the second half of the month: Broad beans
March
Sow inside in the first half of the month: Summer/autumn cabbage
Sow outside in the first half of the month: Broad beans
Sow outside in the second half of the month: Lettuce, spinach, summer/autumn cabbage
Sow inside: Butternut squash, courgettes
Sow outside: Brussels sprouts, carrots, garlic, leeks, onions, parsnips, potatoes, radishes, shallots
April
Sow inside in the first half of the month: Sweet corn, tomatoes
Sow inside: Butternut squash, courgettes, dwarf French beans, runner beans
Move outside: Summer/autumn cabbage
Sow outside: Beetroots, Brussels sprouts, carrots, garlic, leeks, lettuce, onions, parsnips, peas, potatoes, radishes, shallots, spinach, summer/autumn cabbage
May
Sow inside in the first half of the month: Dwarf French beans, runner beans, sweet corn, tomatoes
Move outside in the second half of the month: Dwarf French beans, runner beans, sweet corn, tomatoes
Sow outside in the second half of the month: Dwarf French beans, purple sprouting, runner beans, sweetcorn
Sow outside: Beetroot, butternut squash, carrots, courgettes, lettuce, peas, radishes, spinach, winter cabbage
Move outside: Butternut squash, courgettes, leeks
Harvest: Radishes
June
Move outside: Leeks, tomatoes
Sow outside: Beetroot, carrots, dwarf French beans, lettuce, peas, purple sprouting, radishes, runner beans, spinach, sweet corn, winter cabbage
Harvest: Broad beans, carrots, peas, potatoes, radishes, spinach
July
Sow outside in the first half of the month: Dwarf French beans, runner beans
Sow outside: Beetroot, carrots, lettuce, peas, radishes
Harvest: Beetroot, broad beans, butternut squash, carrots, courgettes, dwarf French beans, lettuce, peas, potatoes, radishes, runner beans, shallots, spinach, summer/autumn cabbage
Harvest in the second half of the month: Tomatoes
August
Sow outside: Lettuce, radishes
Harvest: Beetroot, broad beans, butternut squash, carrots, courgettes, dwarf French beans, garlic, lettuce, onions, peas, potatoes, radishes, runner beans, shallots, spinach, summer/autumn cabbage, sweet corn, tomatoes
September
Sow outside: Radishes
Harvest: Beetroot, butternut squash, carrots, courgettes, dwarf French beans, garlic, leeks, lettuce, onions, peas, potatoes, radishes, runner beans, spinach, summer/autumn cabbage, sweet corn, tomatoes
October
Harvest in the first half of the month: Tomatoes
Harvest: Beetroot, Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, carrots, courgettes, dwarf French beans, garlic, leeks, lettuce, onions, parsnips, peas, radishes, runner beans, spinach, summer/autumn cabbage, winter cabbage
November
Harvest: Brussels sprouts, carrots, leeks, parsnips, summer/autumn cabbage, winter cabbage
December
Harvest: Brussels sprouts, leeks, parsnips, winter cabbage
*The months given are based on average weather patterns and are intended as a rough guide. Wait until the risk of frost has passed before planting any frost-sensitive crops.
For more vegetable planting tips, check out LoveTheGarden.com.
