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Bristol, England · vegetable planting calendar

What to plant now in Bristol

This month's sowing list for Bristol, 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 1 May, and frost is unlikely after about 7 May.

Sow or plant in Bristol in October

Sow in a tray

  • Cabbage
  • Onion

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 Bristol

Tomato

Tomatoes

Sow in a tray: April.

Plant out: June.

Pick: September.

First pick about 21 weeks after starting.

Choose a quick-maturing (early) variety here.

Potato

Potatoes

Plant: April to July.

Best time to start: April to June.

Pick: August to December.

First pick about 14 weeks after starting.

Garlic

Garlic

Plant: October to December.

Best time to start: October to December.

Pick: June to August.

First pick about 31 weeks after starting.

Lettuce

Lettuce

Sow in the ground: March to September.

Best time to start: April 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 11 weeks after starting.

Dwarf French beans

Dwarf French beans

Sow in the ground: May to June.

Best time to start: May to June.

Pick: August to September.

First pick about 12 weeks after starting.

Onion

Onions

Sow in a tray: January to October.

Plant out: March to December.

Best time to start: March to December.

Pick: June to November.

First pick about 44 weeks after starting.

Strawberry

Strawberries

Plant: April to May.

Best time to start: April to May.

Pick: September to December.

First pick about 21 weeks after starting.

Pumpkin

Pumpkins

Sow in a tray: May.

Plant out: June.

Pick: September.

First pick about 15 weeks after starting.

Choose a quick-maturing (early) variety here.

Courgette

Courgettes

Sow in a tray: May to June.

Sow in the ground: June.

Plant out: June to July.

Best time to start: June.

Pick: August to September.

First pick about 10 weeks after starting.

The planting year in Bristol

VegetableONDJFMAMJJASFirst pick
BeetrootSSSSSabout 8 weeks
Broad beansSSSSSSSSSSSSabout 19 weeks
BroccoliTPPPPPabout 14 weeks
Brussels sproutsTTPPPabout 22 weeks
CabbagePPTPPPPPPabout 18 weeks
CarrotSSSSSSabout 11 weeks
CauliflowerTPPPPPabout 17 weeks
CeleriacTTTPPPabout 26 weeks
CeleryTTTPPPabout 23 weeks
ChivesTTSSSSPabout 11 weeks
Climbing French beansSSabout 14 weeks
CorianderSSSSSabout 6 weeks
CourgetteTSPabout 10 weeks
CucumberPabout 8 weeks
DillSSSSSabout 7 weeks
Dwarf French beansSSabout 12 weeks
GarlicPPPabout 31 weeks
KaleSSSSSSPabout 9 weeks
LeekTTPPPPPabout 22 weeks
LettuceSSSSSSSabout 8 weeks
OnionPPPTTPPPPPPPabout 44 weeks
Pak choiSSSSSSSabout 7 weeks
ParsleyTTSSSSPabout 10 weeks
ParsnipSSSabout 16 weeks
PeasSSSSSSSSSSSSabout 17 weeks
PotatoPPPPabout 14 weeks
PumpkinTPabout 15 weeks
RadishSSSSSSabout 4 weeks
RocketSSSSSSabout 5 weeks
Runner beansSabout 13 weeks
SpinachSSSSSSSabout 7 weeks
Spring onionSSSSSSabout 9 weeks
StrawberryPPabout 21 weeks
SwedeSSSSSabout 14 weeks
SweetcornTSabout 13 weeks
Swiss chardSSSSSabout 8 weeks
TomatoTPabout 21 weeks
TurnipSSSSSSSabout 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: cucumber, pumpkin, sweetcorn and tomato.

Bristol season by season

Spring March to May

Time to start: beetroot, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, chives, climbing French beans, coriander, courgette, 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: cucumber, runner beans and tomato.

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

Autumn September to November

Time to start: garlic.

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

Winter December to February

Time to start: celeriac, celery and leek.

Last chance for: garlic.

Any time of year: broad beans, onion and peas.

Frost in Bristol

Last frost, most years
around 1 May
Frost is unlikely after
about 7 May
First frost, most years
around 6 November
Frost-free days in a year
about 189

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 Bristol

Needs a greenhouse or a warm, sheltered spot: basil, chilli and sweet pepper.

Too cold here: aubergine, melon, okra, sweet potato and watermelon.

Questions about planting in Bristol

What can I plant now in Bristol?

In October, 5 vegetables can be sown or planted in Bristol, 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 Bristol?

In Bristol, sow tomatoes in a tray in April and plant them out in June. Picking runs in September.

When should I plant potatoes in Bristol?

In Bristol, plant potatoes from April to July. The best time to start is from April to June. Picking runs from August to December.

When should I plant garlic in Bristol?

In Bristol, 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 Bristol?

In most years the last frost in Bristol comes around 1 May. Frost is unlikely after about 7 May, though tender vegetables go out later still, once nights are warm. The first frost of the cold season usually arrives around 6 November.

What can I plant at any time of year in Bristol?

Broad beans, onion and peas can be started in Bristol in every month of the year.

Which vegetables are quickest to grow in Bristol?

The quick ones are radish (about 4 weeks), rocket (about 5 weeks), coriander (about 6 weeks), pak choi (about 7 weeks), spinach (about 7 weeks), beetroot (about 8 weeks), cucumber (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 Birmingham · What to plant now in Manchester · What to plant now in Leeds · 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 Bristol. 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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