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Cardiff, Wales · vegetable planting calendar

What to plant now in Cardiff

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

Sow or plant in Cardiff in October

Names with a dashed outline can be started now, but it is not their best time.

Last month to start: radish and spinach.

When to plant the favourites in Cardiff

Tomatoes

Sow in a tray: April.

Plant out: June.

Pick: September.

First pick about 20 weeks after starting.

Choose a quick-maturing (early) variety here.

Potatoes

Plant: March to July.

Best time to start: March to July.

Pick: July to December.

First pick about 13 weeks after starting.

Garlic

Plant: October to December.

Best time to start: October to December.

Pick: June to August.

First pick about 30 weeks after starting.

Lettuce

Sow in the ground: March to September.

Best time to start: March to August.

Pick: June to January.

First pick about 8 weeks after starting.

Carrots

Sow in the ground: March to August.

Best time to start: March to July.

Pick: July to March.

First pick about 11 weeks after starting.

Dwarf French beans

Sow in the ground: May to July.

Best time to start: May to June.

Pick: August to October.

First pick about 11 weeks after starting.

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 40 weeks after starting.

Strawberries

Plant: April to May and October to November.

Best time to start: April to May and October to November.

Pick: July to December.

First pick about 22 weeks after starting.

Pumpkins

Sow in a tray: May.

Plant out: June.

Pick: September.

First pick about 14 weeks after starting.

Choose a quick-maturing (early) variety here.

Courgettes

Sow in a tray: May to July.

Sow in the ground: June to July.

Plant out: June to July.

Best time to start: June.

Pick: July to September.

First pick about 10 weeks after starting.

The planting year in Cardiff

• TSow in a tray
• SSow in the ground
• PPlant out
• Pick
• SPaler: possible, but not the best time

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 and tomato.

Cardiff season by season

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

Frost in Cardiff

Last frost, most years

around 19 April

Frost is unlikely after

about 1 May

First frost, most years

around 8 November

Frost-free days in a year

about 203

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 Cardiff

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 Cardiff

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 Bristol · What to plant now in Edinburgh · What to plant now in Glasgow · What to plant now in Belfast

These dates are estimates for general guidance, based on the usual weather in Cardiff. 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).