Sowing calendar

What tosow now.

Four dividers, one per season. Pull the one you are standing in.

Hand tending seedlings in a propagation tray

Under cover from February

Spring · four to sow now

  • Tomato · Black Krim

    Feb – Apr

    Under glass, 6 mm deep. Plant out after the last frost.

  • Pea · Kelvedon Wonder

    Mar – May

    Straight into the ground, a hand apart.

  • Lettuce · Tom Thumb

    Mar – Jul

    A pinch every fortnight and you never run out.

  • Beetroot · Chioggia

    Apr – Jun

    Soak overnight, sow in pairs, thin to one.

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Posted Monday to Thursday

Wooden tray of heirloom tomatoes, rhubarb, onions and greens on straw

For the hungry gap next year

Summer · four to sow now

  • French bean · Blue Lake

    May – Jul

    Warm soil only. Two seeds at the foot of each cane.

  • Carrot · Autumn King

    May – Jul

    Thin drills, no fresh manure, cover against the fly.

  • Kale · Nero di Toscana

    Jun – Jul

    Start in a tray, move it when it has four leaves.

  • Chard · Bright Lights

    May – Aug

    One sowing now cuts until March.

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Posted Monday to Thursday

Wooden crate of peppers, courgettes, squash and grapes held over grass

Sown now, eaten in spring

Autumn · four to sow now

  • Broad bean · Aquadulce

    Oct – Nov

    Hardy to minus ten. Sow deep, stake early.

  • Spinach · Giant Winter

    Aug – Sep

    Into the bed the beans just left.

  • Onion · Senshyu

    Aug – Sep

    Overwinters small and bulbs up in June.

  • Sweet pea · Cupani

    Oct

    In deep pots on a cold sill, for June scent.

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Posted Monday to Thursday

Seedling trays from above

On a warm sill, under a lid

Winter · four to sow now

  • Chilli · Lemon Drop

    Jan – Feb

    Needs heat and patience: three weeks to show.

  • Leek · Musselburgh

    Jan – Mar

    Thick in a deep tray, plant out at pencil width.

  • Aubergine · Black Beauty

    Feb

    Earliest of all, or it never ripens outdoors.

  • Onion · Ailsa Craig

    Dec – Jan

    From seed on Boxing Day, as the showmen do.

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Posted Monday to Thursday