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Birmingham, England · vegetable planting calendar

What to plant now in Birmingham

This month's sowing list for Birmingham, what is ready to pick, when to plant the favourites, the planting year at a glance and the local frost dates.

October

5 vegetables to sow or plant now

5 of them are at their best time to start. The last frost is usually around 2 May, and frost is unlikely after about 15 May.

Sow or plant in Birmingham in October

Sow in a tray

Nothing this month.

Sow in the ground

  • Broad beans
  • Peas

Plant out

  • Cabbage
  • Garlic
  • Onion

Ready to pick in October

  • Beetroot
  • Broad beans
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Cabbage
  • Carrot
  • Cauliflower
  • Celeriac
  • Celery
  • Chives
  • Coriander
  • Dill
  • Kale
  • Leek
  • Lettuce
  • Onion
  • Pak choi
  • Parsley
  • Parsnip
  • Peas
  • Potato
  • Radish
  • Rocket
  • Spinach
  • Spring onion
  • Strawberry
  • Swede
  • Swiss chard
  • Turnip

Coming up in November

Nothing new starts in November. This month's list carries on.

When to plant the favourites in Birmingham

Tomato

Tomatoes

Sow in a tray: April.

Plant out: June.

Pick: August to September.

First pick about 19 weeks after starting.

Choose a quick-maturing (early) variety here.

Potato

Potatoes

Plant: April to July.

Best time to start: April to June.

Pick: July to November.

First pick about 13 weeks after starting.

Garlic

Garlic

Plant: October to December.

Best time to start: October to December.

Pick: June to August.

First pick about 32 weeks after starting.

Lettuce

Lettuce

Sow in the ground: March to August.

Best time to start: March to August.

Pick: June to January.

First pick about 8 weeks after starting.

Carrot

Carrots

Sow in the ground: March to August.

Best time to start: March to July.

Pick: July to February.

First pick about 10 weeks after starting.

Dwarf French beans

Dwarf French beans

Sow in the ground: May to July.

Best time to start: May to June.

Pick: August to September.

First pick about 11 weeks after starting.

Onion

Onions

Sow in a tray: January to September.

Plant out: March to November.

Best time to start: March to November.

Pick: June to November.

First pick about 43 weeks after starting.

Strawberry

Strawberries

Plant: April to May.

Best time to start: April to May.

Pick: August to December.

First pick about 20 weeks after starting.

Pumpkin

Pumpkins

Sow in a tray: May.

Plant out: June.

Pick: September.

First pick about 13 weeks after starting.

Choose a quick-maturing (early) variety here.

Courgette

Courgettes

Sow in a tray: May to June.

Sow in the ground: June to July.

Plant out: June to July.

Best time to start: June.

Pick: July to September.

First pick about 9 weeks after starting.

The planting year in Birmingham

VegetableONDJFMAMJJASFirst pick
BasilTPabout 5 weeks
BeetrootSSSSSabout 8 weeks
Broad beansSSSSSSSSSSSabout 20 weeks
BroccoliTPPPPPabout 14 weeks
Brussels sproutsTPPPabout 21 weeks
CabbagePPTPPPPPPabout 18 weeks
CarrotSSSSSSabout 10 weeks
CauliflowerTPPPPPabout 16 weeks
CeleriacTTTPPPabout 25 weeks
CeleryTTTPPPabout 22 weeks
ChivesTTSSSSPabout 10 weeks
Climbing French beansSSabout 13 weeks
CorianderSSSSSabout 6 weeks
CourgetteTSSabout 9 weeks
CucumberTPabout 9 weeks
DillSSSSSabout 6 weeks
Dwarf French beansSSSabout 11 weeks
GarlicPPPabout 32 weeks
KaleSSSSSSPabout 8 weeks
LeekTTPPPPPabout 21 weeks
LettuceSSSSSSabout 8 weeks
OnionPPTTPPPPPPPabout 43 weeks
Pak choiSSSSSSSabout 6 weeks
ParsleyTTSSSSPabout 9 weeks
ParsnipSSSabout 15 weeks
PeasSSSSSSSSSSSSabout 16 weeks
PotatoPPPPabout 13 weeks
PumpkinTPabout 13 weeks
RadishSSSSSSabout 4 weeks
RocketSSSSSSSabout 5 weeks
Runner beansSabout 12 weeks
SpinachSSSSSSSabout 7 weeks
Spring onionSSSSSSabout 8 weeks
StrawberryPPabout 20 weeks
SwedeSSSSSabout 13 weeks
SweetcornSPabout 15 weeks
Swiss chardSSSSSabout 8 weeks
TomatoTPabout 19 weeks
TurnipSSSSSSabout 8 weeks

The chart starts at October. "First pick" is the usual time from starting to the first harvest.

Choose a quick-maturing (early) variety of: pumpkin and tomato.

Birmingham season by season

Spring March to May

Time to start: beetroot, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, chives, climbing French beans, coriander, courgette, cucumber, dill, dwarf French beans, kale, lettuce, pak choi, parsley, parsnip, potato, pumpkin, radish, rocket, spinach, spring onion, strawberry, swede, sweetcorn, Swiss chard, tomato and turnip.

Last chance for: strawberry and tomato.

Summer June to August

Time to start: basil, broad beans, runner beans and tomato.

Last chance for: basil, beetroot, broad beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrot, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, climbing French beans, courgette, cucumber, dwarf French beans, leek, lettuce, parsnip, potato, pumpkin, runner beans, spring onion, swede, sweetcorn, Swiss chard, tomato and turnip.

Autumn September to November

Time to start: garlic.

Last chance for: cabbage, chives, coriander, dill, kale, onion, pak choi, parsley, radish, rocket and spinach.

Winter December to February

Time to start: celeriac, celery, leek and onion.

Last chance for: garlic.

Any time of year: peas.

Frost in Birmingham

Last frost, most years
around 2 May
Frost is unlikely after
about 15 May
First frost, most years
around 21 October
Frost-free days in a year
about 172

The end of frost is not planting time. Tender plants also need warm nights, which usually come two to four weeks later, and a week or two of hardening off first, so go by the months for each vegetable above. A low corner where cold air settles runs later. Tomatoes, peppers, French and runner beans, courgettes, pumpkins and basil are the ones to hold back or cover.

Harder to grow in Birmingham

Needs a greenhouse or a warm, sheltered spot: aubergine, chilli, melon, sweet pepper and watermelon.

Too cold here: okra and sweet potato.

Questions about planting in Birmingham

What can I plant now in Birmingham?

In October, 5 vegetables can be sown or planted in Birmingham, including broad beans, cabbage, garlic, onion and peas. The full list is at the top of this page and changes every month.

When should I plant tomatoes in Birmingham?

In Birmingham, sow tomatoes in a tray in April and plant them out in June. Picking runs from August to September.

When should I plant potatoes in Birmingham?

In Birmingham, plant potatoes from April to July. The best time to start is from April to June. Picking runs from July to November.

When should I plant garlic in Birmingham?

In Birmingham, plant garlic from October to December. The best time to start is from October to December. Picking runs from June to August.

When is the last frost in Birmingham?

In most years the last frost in Birmingham comes around 2 May. Frost is unlikely after about 15 May, though tender vegetables go out later still, once nights are warm. The first frost of the cold season usually arrives around 21 October.

Which vegetables are quickest to grow in Birmingham?

The quick ones are radish (about 4 weeks), basil (about 5 weeks), rocket (about 5 weeks), coriander (about 6 weeks), pak choi (about 6 weeks), spinach (about 7 weeks), beetroot (about 8 weeks) and lettuce (about 8 weeks). The time is from starting to the first pick.

Other cities

What to plant now in London · What to plant now in Manchester · What to plant now in Leeds · What to plant now in Bristol · What to plant now in Edinburgh · What to plant now in Glasgow · What to plant now in Cardiff · What to plant now in Belfast

These dates are estimates for general guidance, based on the usual weather in Birmingham. Seasons vary from year to year, so check the seed packet and local advice as well.
Temperatures: Source: Meteostat and its data providers (CC BY 4.0). Crop temperature ranges checked against FAO ECOCROP (CC BY 4.0).

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