Glasgow, Scotland · vegetable planting calendar

What to plant now in Glasgow

This month's sowing list for Glasgow, 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 14 May, and frost is unlikely after about 26 May.

Sow or plant in Glasgow in October

Sow in a tray

Nothing this month.

Sow in the ground

Broad beans
Peas

Plant out

Cabbage
Garlic
Onion

Last month to start: cabbage.

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 Glasgow

Tomatoes

Needs a greenhouse or a warm, sheltered spot in Glasgow.

Potatoes

Plant: April to June.

Best time to start: April to June.

Pick: August to November.

First pick about 14 weeks after starting.

Garlic

Plant: October to November.

Best time to start: October to November.

Pick: July to August.

First pick about 34 weeks after starting.

Lettuce

Sow in the ground: March to August.

Best time to start: April to August.

Pick: June to December.

First pick about 9 weeks after starting.

Carrots

Sow in the ground: April to July.

Best time to start: April to June.

Pick: July to January.

First pick about 11 weeks after starting.

Dwarf French beans

Sow in the ground: June.

Best time to start: June.

Pick: August to September.

First pick about 10 weeks after starting.

Choose a quick-maturing (early) variety here.

Onions

Sow in a tray: February to March and June to September.

Plant out: April to May and August to November.

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

Pick: July to October.

First pick about 48 weeks after starting.

Strawberries

Plant: April to May.

Best time to start: April to May.

Pick: July to December.

First pick about 18 weeks after starting.

Choose a quick-maturing (early) variety here.

Pumpkins

Needs a greenhouse or a warm, sheltered spot in Glasgow.

Courgettes

Sow in a tray: May.

Plant out: June.

Pick: August to September.

First pick about 8 weeks after starting.

The planting year in Glasgow

Sow in a tray
Sow in the ground
Plant out
Pick
Paler: possible, but not the best time

Vegetable	O	N	D	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	First pick
Beetroot						S	S	S	S	S		about 9 weeks
Broad beans	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	about 19 weeks
Broccoli					T	P	P	P	P	P		about 15 weeks
Brussels sprouts					T	T	P	P				about 24 weeks
Cabbage	P				T	P	P	P	P	P	P	about 19 weeks
Carrot						S	S	S	S			about 11 weeks
Cauliflower					T	P	P	P	P			about 17 weeks
Celeriac					T	T	P	P				about 28 weeks
Celery					T	T	P	P	P			about 24 weeks
Chives					T	T	S	S	S	P		about 11 weeks
Climbing French beans								S				about 12 weeks
Coriander							S	S	S	S		about 7 weeks
Courgette							T	P				about 8 weeks
Dill							S	S	S	S		about 7 weeks
Dwarf French beans								S				about 10 weeks
Garlic	P	P										about 34 weeks
Kale						S	S	S	S	S		about 9 weeks
Leek				T	T	P	P	P	P			about 23 weeks
Lettuce					S	S	S	S	S	S		about 9 weeks
Onion	P	P		T	T	P	P	T	T	P	P	about 48 weeks
Pak choi						S	S	S	S	S		about 7 weeks
Parsley					T	T	S	S	S	P		about 11 weeks
Parsnip							S	S				about 18 weeks
Peas	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	about 17 weeks
Potato						P	P	P				about 14 weeks
Radish						S	S	S	S	S	S	about 4 weeks
Rocket						S	S	S	S	S	S	about 5 weeks
Spinach					S	S	S	S	S	S	S	about 7 weeks
Spring onion						S	S	S	S	S		about 9 weeks
Strawberry						P	P					about 18 weeks
Swede						S	S	S	S			about 15 weeks
Swiss chard						S	S	S	S	S		about 9 weeks
Turnip						S	S	S	S	S		about 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: climbing French beans, dwarf French beans and strawberry.

Glasgow season by season

Spring March to May

Time to start: beetroot, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, chives, coriander, courgette, dill, kale, lettuce, pak choi, parsley, parsnip, potato, radish, rocket, spinach, spring onion, strawberry, swede, Swiss chard and turnip.

Last chance for: strawberry.

Summer June to August

Time to start: climbing French beans and dwarf French beans.

Last chance for: beetroot, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrot, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, chives, climbing French beans, coriander, courgette, dill, dwarf French beans, kale, leek, lettuce, pak choi, parsley, parsnip, potato, spring onion, swede, Swiss chard and turnip.

Autumn September to November

Time to start: garlic.

Last chance for: cabbage, garlic, onion, radish, rocket and spinach.

Winter December to February

Time to start: broad beans, leek, onion and peas.

Last chance for: broad beans and peas.

Frost in Glasgow

Last frost, most years: around 14 May
Frost is unlikely after: about 26 May
First frost, most years: around 30 September
Frost-free days in a year: about 139

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 Glasgow

Needs a greenhouse or a warm, sheltered spot: basil, cucumber, pumpkin, runner beans, sweetcorn and tomato.

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

Questions about planting in Glasgow

What can I plant now in Glasgow?

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

Tomatoes are hard to grow in Glasgow: they need a greenhouse or a warm, sheltered spot.

When should I plant potatoes in Glasgow?

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

When should I plant garlic in Glasgow?

In Glasgow, plant garlic from October to November. The best time to start is from October to November. Picking runs from July to August.

When is the last frost in Glasgow?

In most years the last frost in Glasgow comes around 14 May. Frost is unlikely after about 26 May, though tender vegetables go out later still, once nights are warm. The first frost of the cold season usually arrives around 30 September.

Which vegetables are quickest to grow in Glasgow?

The quick ones are radish (about 4 weeks), rocket (about 5 weeks), coriander (about 7 weeks), pak choi (about 7 weeks), spinach (about 7 weeks), courgette (about 8 weeks), turnip (about 8 weeks) and beetroot (about 9 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 Bristol · What to plant now in Edinburgh · 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 Glasgow. 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).