Timing and care entries are regional starting points. Check local frost, shelter, soil and packet guidance before planting.
vegetables
Potatoes
Reliable staple for beds, bags, and allotments; protect shoots from frost and earth up steadily.
- Sow
- Chit Feb-Mar
- Plant
- Plant Mar-Apr; later in cold northern gardens
- Best regions
- All regions with workable soil; bags suit wet or small gardens
vegetables
Kale
Hardy brassica for cooler seasons; net against birds and caterpillars while young.
- Sow
- Sow Mar-Jul
- Plant
- Plant out Jun-Aug
- Best regions
- Strong across Scotland, northern England, Wales, Ireland, and exposed islands
vegetables
Carrots
Sow thinly, keep moist, and cover with mesh to reduce carrot fly risk.
- Sow
- Direct sow Mar-Jul
- Plant
- Not transplanted
- Best regions
- All regions in light soil, raised beds, or deep containers
vegetables
Lettuce
Best grown as repeated small sowings; protect early and late batches with fleece or a cold frame.
- Sow
- Sow Mar-Aug
- Plant
- Plant modules Apr-Sep
- Best regions
- All regions; shade and water matter in warmer south-east gardens
vegetables
Peas
Good spring crop for cool climates; use supports, netting, and mouse protection for early sowings.
- Sow
- Sow Feb-Jun under cover or direct
- Plant
- Plant modules Mar-Jun
- Best regions
- Cool and sheltered gardens across the UK and Ireland
vegetables
Broad beans
Hardy and useful early in the season; pinch tips if blackfly becomes a problem.
- Sow
- Sow Feb-Apr or Oct-Nov
- Plant
- Plant modules Mar-May
- Best regions
- All but most exposed island gardens; module sowing helps cold wet sites
vegetables
French beans
Needs warm soil and shelter; use fleece or cloches when nights are marginal.
- Sow
- Sow Apr-Jun under cover
- Plant
- Plant late May-Jul when nights are settled
- Best regions
- Warmer or sheltered gardens; delay in Scotland, uplands, and exposed islands
vegetables
Courgettes
One or two plants are enough for many gardens; cold nights and wind are the main risks.
- Sow
- Sow Apr-May indoors
- Plant
- Plant late May-Jun after frost risk
- Best regions
- Sheltered beds, large containers, and compost-rich soil in most regions
vegetables
Beetroot
Useful follow-on crop for roots and leaves; sow little and often for better quality.
- Sow
- Sow Apr-Jul
- Plant
- Usually direct sown; modules can work
- Best regions
- All regions with steady moisture
vegetables
Spinach
Cool weather crop for spring and autumn; summer heat can cause bolting.
- Sow
- Sow Mar-May and Aug-Sep
- Plant
- Plant modules Apr-May or Aug-Sep
- Best regions
- Cooler and moist gardens; use shade in hot dry regions
vegetables
Chard
Colourful, productive leaf crop that tolerates a range of UK and Irish summers.
- Sow
- Sow Apr-Jul
- Plant
- Plant May-Aug
- Best regions
- All regions, including containers and mixed edible beds
vegetables
Spring cabbage
Good overwintering brassica; firm soil and netting improve reliability.
- Sow
- Sow Jul-Aug
- Plant
- Plant Sep-Oct
- Best regions
- All regions where winter drainage and netting are manageable
vegetables
Broccoli
Needs firm fertile soil, netting, and steady growth; good for cooler regions.
- Sow
- Sow Mar-Jun
- Plant
- Plant May-Jul
- Best regions
- Cooler regions, northern gardens, and fertile allotments
vegetables
Leeks
Dependable winter vegetable; start early and transplant when stems are pencil-thick.
- Sow
- Sow Feb-Apr
- Plant
- Plant Jun-Jul
- Best regions
- All regions with enough growing time before winter
vegetables
Garlic
Prefers a cold period but dislikes waterlogging; raised beds and pots help wet regions.
- Sow
- Plant cloves Oct-Dec or Feb-Mar
- Plant
- Plant direct into free-draining soil
- Best regions
- All regions if winter drainage is good
vegetables
Onions
A practical crop for beds and allotments; keep weed-free and avoid saturated soil.
- Sow
- Sow Jan-Mar or plant sets Mar-Apr
- Plant
- Plant sets Mar-Apr
- Best regions
- All regions; sets are easier in cooler gardens
vegetables
Tomatoes
Needs warmth, light, and airflow; greenhouse or polytunnel growing is safer in cooler wet regions.
- Sow
- Sow Feb-Apr indoors
- Plant
- Plant under cover Apr-May; outdoors late May-Jun
- Best regions
- Best under glass in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and exposed islands; easier outdoors in warm sheltered south
vegetables
Cucumbers
A protected-crop choice for warmth and humidity; outdoor success is very site-dependent.
- Sow
- Sow Apr-May indoors
- Plant
- Plant under cover May-Jun
- Best regions
- Greenhouses, tunnels, and very sheltered warm gardens
vegetables
Sweetcorn
Plant in blocks for pollination and delay until soil is warm.
- Sow
- Sow Apr-May indoors
- Plant
- Plant late May-Jun in blocks
- Best regions
- Warm sheltered gardens; marginal in cool exposed regions
vegetables
Radish
Fast crop for beginners; keep watered and harvest young.
- Sow
- Sow Mar-Sep
- Plant
- Not transplanted
- Best regions
- All regions, especially containers and quick gaps
vegetables
Rocket
Peppery leaf crop for repeat sowing; flea beetle and bolting are the main issues.
- Sow
- Sow Mar-Sep
- Plant
- Plant modules Apr-Sep
- Best regions
- All regions; shade helps hot dry gardens
vegetables
Spring onions
Low-space crop for short rows, pots, and follow-on sowing.
- Sow
- Sow Mar-Aug
- Plant
- Usually direct sown
- Best regions
- All regions and containers
herbs
Parsley
Slow to germinate but dependable once established; works well in pots and bed edges.
- Sow
- Sow Feb-Jul
- Plant
- Plant Apr-Aug
- Best regions
- All regions, including cool Scottish and Irish summers
herbs
Chives
Hardy, low effort, and pollinator-friendly if some flowers are left.
- Sow
- Sow Mar-Jun or divide clumps
- Plant
- Plant Mar-Oct
- Best regions
- All regions and small spaces
herbs
Rosemary
Evergreen Mediterranean herb; winter wet is often worse than cold.
- Sow
- Buy plants or take cuttings
- Plant
- Plant late spring-summer
- Best regions
- Best in free-draining pots, walls, and mild sheltered gardens
herbs
Thyme
Compact herb for dry containers; avoid heavy wet compost.
- Sow
- Sow Mar-May or buy plants
- Plant
- Plant Apr-Aug
- Best regions
- Free-draining pots, coastal gardens, and sunny sheltered edges
herbs
Coriander
Bolts in heat and drought; sow little and often in deep pots or rows.
- Sow
- Sow Mar-Sep
- Plant
- Usually direct sown or planted as modules
- Best regions
- Cooler spells in all regions; easier in spring and autumn
herbs
Basil
Warm-season herb; outdoor success is limited in cold windy gardens.
- Sow
- Sow Mar-Jun indoors
- Plant
- Plant under cover or warm patios after frost
- Best regions
- Warm windowsills, greenhouses, and sheltered summer pots
herbs
Mint
Vigorous hardy herb; grow in a pot to prevent spreading through beds.
- Sow
- Buy plants or divide clumps
- Plant
- Plant Mar-Oct in containers
- Best regions
- All regions; always best contained
herbs
Sage
Tough once established, but avoid cold saturated soil in winter.
- Sow
- Sow Mar-May or buy plants
- Plant
- Plant Apr-Aug
- Best regions
- Sunny free-draining gardens and containers
herbs
Oregano
Good pollinator herb if allowed to flower; drainage matters.
- Sow
- Sow Mar-May or buy plants
- Plant
- Plant Apr-Aug
- Best regions
- Sunny pots, dry edges, and mild sheltered gardens
herbs
Dill
Quick annual herb; sow in place because it dislikes root disturbance.
- Sow
- Sow Apr-Jul
- Plant
- Usually direct sown
- Best regions
- Sheltered beds and containers across most regions
herbs
Fennel
Tall aromatic herb for pollinators; give it space and shelter.
- Sow
- Sow Apr-Jun
- Plant
- Plant May-Jul
- Best regions
- Sunny sheltered gardens; avoid exposed windy sites
herbs
Tarragon
Prefers warmth and drainage; use pots in cold wet regions.
- Sow
- Buy plants or divide
- Plant
- Plant May-Aug
- Best regions
- Warm sheltered pots and well-drained beds
flowers
Calendula
Tough, cheerful, self-seeding annual for pollinators, pots, and gaps.
- Sow
- Sow Mar-Jun or Aug-Sep
- Plant
- Plant modules Apr-Jun
- Best regions
- All regions; excellent beginner annual
flowers
Cornflower
Hardy annual for bees and cut flowers; autumn sowing can bring earlier bloom.
- Sow
- Sow Mar-May or Aug-Sep
- Plant
- Plant Apr-Jun or autumn modules
- Best regions
- All regions with open soil and decent drainage
flowers
Sea thrift
Excellent coastal perennial for wind, salt, and poor free-draining soil.
- Sow
- Buy plants or sow Mar-Jun
- Plant
- Plant Mar-Sep
- Best regions
- Coastal UK, Ireland, islands, dry walls, and gritty containers
flowers
Lavender
High pollinator value but needs drainage, sun, and shelter from cold wet soil.
- Sow
- Buy plants or sow with patience
- Plant
- Plant Apr-Aug after cold wet weather
- Best regions
- Sunny free-draining gardens; pots help wet regions
flowers
Sweet peas
Classic cut flower; deep modules, support, and regular picking improve results.
- Sow
- Sow Oct-Nov or Jan-Apr
- Plant
- Plant Apr-May after hardening off
- Best regions
- Most regions with shelter and supports
flowers
Nasturtium
Fast annual for flowers, edible leaves, and sacrificial aphid planting.
- Sow
- Sow Apr-Jun
- Plant
- Plant May-Jul
- Best regions
- All regions, especially pots and poor soils
flowers
Borage
Excellent bee plant; allow room and remove unwanted seedlings.
- Sow
- Sow Apr-Jun
- Plant
- Usually direct sown
- Best regions
- All regions with space; self-seeds freely
flowers
Cosmos
Long-flowering annual for beds and cutting; frost tender when young.
- Sow
- Sow Mar-May under cover
- Plant
- Plant late May-Jun
- Best regions
- Warmer or sheltered gardens; delay in colder regions
flowers
Marigold
Bright annual for pots, beds, and companion-style planting.
- Sow
- Sow Mar-May under cover or Apr-Jun direct
- Plant
- Plant late May-Jun
- Best regions
- Most regions after frost; useful in edible gardens
flowers
Foxglove
Biennial pollinator plant for wildlife-friendly borders; all parts are poisonous if eaten.
- Sow
- Sow May-Jul
- Plant
- Plant Sep-Oct or spring
- Best regions
- Cool, moist, partial-shade gardens across UK and Ireland
flowers
Pansy
Cool-season bedding for containers; useful colour when tender annuals are not ready.
- Sow
- Sow Feb-Apr or Jun-Aug
- Plant
- Plant Mar-May or Sep-Oct
- Best regions
- All regions in pots, borders, and window boxes
flowers
Violas
Compact cool-season flower for containers, edges, and pollinator-friendly gaps.
- Sow
- Sow Feb-Apr or Jun-Aug
- Plant
- Plant Mar-May or Sep-Oct
- Best regions
- All regions; often tougher than large-flowered pansies
flowers
Sunflower
Useful pollinator and seed plant; protect seedlings from slugs and wind.
- Sow
- Sow Apr-Jun
- Plant
- Plant May-Jun after frost
- Best regions
- Sheltered sunny gardens; choose dwarf types for windy regions
flowers
Poppies
Direct-sown flower for low-effort colour; avoid transplanting established seedlings.
- Sow
- Sow Mar-May or Aug-Sep
- Plant
- Usually direct sown
- Best regions
- All regions in open, well-drained soil
flowers
Echinacea
Perennial pollinator flower; drainage and sun are important.
- Sow
- Sow Feb-Apr under cover or buy plants
- Plant
- Plant May-Sep
- Best regions
- Sunny free-draining borders; less reliable in cold wet soils
flowers
Rudbeckia
Late-season colour for pollinators; start under cover in cooler regions.
- Sow
- Sow Feb-Apr under cover or buy plants
- Plant
- Plant May-Jun
- Best regions
- Warmer sheltered gardens and containers
flowers
Geranium
Hardy geraniums are dependable perennials for borders and pollinators.
- Sow
- Buy hardy plants or divide
- Plant
- Plant Mar-Oct
- Best regions
- All regions with the right sun or shade choice
flowers
Lupin
Tall cottage-garden perennial; protect young growth from slugs and stake in exposed sites.
- Sow
- Sow Feb-Jun or buy plants
- Plant
- Plant Apr-Sep
- Best regions
- Cooler gardens with shelter from strong wind
flowers
Tulips
Spring bulbs for pots and borders; plant deep and avoid waterlogged compost.
- Sow
- Plant bulbs Oct-Dec
- Plant
- Plant direct in pots or borders
- Best regions
- All regions if winter drainage is good
flowers
Daffodils
Reliable spring bulbs; good for damp grass and mixed borders.
- Sow
- Plant bulbs Sep-Nov
- Plant
- Plant direct in grass, pots, or borders
- Best regions
- All regions; strong naturalising choice
flowers
Alliums
Architectural pollinator bulbs; avoid cold wet soil and exposed flopping stems.
- Sow
- Plant bulbs Sep-Nov
- Plant
- Plant direct in free-draining soil
- Best regions
- Sunny free-draining borders and pots
flowers
Crocus
Early spring colour and pollinator value; plant in groups for impact.
- Sow
- Plant corms Sep-Nov
- Plant
- Plant direct in grass, pots, or borders
- Best regions
- All regions; useful early pollen
flowers
Wildflower meadow mix
Choose UK-appropriate mixes, reduce soil fertility, and manage cutting after flowering.
- Sow
- Sow Mar-May or Aug-Oct
- Plant
- Direct sow into prepared low-fertility soil
- Best regions
- All regions if the mix matches soil, exposure, and local conditions