Planting calendar

Ocimum basilicum

A warm-season herb — pinch the tips often and remove flower spikes to keep the leaves sweet.

Beta vulgaris

Each 'seed' is a cluster, so thin to one seedling. The thinnings are good eating as baby leaves.

Vicia faba

A cool-season legume — sow into cold soil. Pinch the tips once flowering to deter aphids and speed the pods.

Brassica oleracea (Italica)

Cut the main head with stalk and side shoots keep coming for weeks.

Brassica oleracea (Gemmifera)

A long, cold crop — they need real cold to firm up. Pick from the bottom of the stalk upward.

Brassica oleracea (Capitata)

Feed steadily for tight hearts. Net against cabbage moth from day one.

Capsicum annuum

Slow to start in the cool — bottom heat helps germination. Pinch the first flower for a stronger plant.

Daucus carota

Sow direct into fine, stone-free soil — never transplant. Keep the surface damp until the slow seed strikes.

Capsicum spp.

Loves heat and a long season. Hold back water and feeding as fruit ripens to sharpen the heat.

Phaseolus vulgaris

Sow straight into warm soil; seedlings sulk when transplanted. Pick daily to keep them cropping.

Coriandrum sativum

Bolts the moment it's warm — grow it through the cooler months and sow a little, often.

Cucumis sativus

Trellis to keep fruit off wet ground. Pick often and small — one overgrown cucumber stalls the whole vine.

Solanum melongena

Warm soil is everything. Net young plants against fruit fly and harvest while the skin is still glossy.

Allium sativum

Plant single cloves at the cool turn of autumn, pointy end up. Stop watering once the tops yellow.

Brassica oleracea (Acephala)

Sweeter after a cool night. Net early or squash cabbage-white caterpillars — they find it fast.

Allium ampeloprasum

Plant deep in a dibbed hole and don't backfill — the long blanched white shaft is the prize.

Lactuca sativa

Bolts in heat — pick outer leaves to keep one plant going for weeks, and sow a few at a time.

Petroselinum crispum

Slow to germinate — soak the seed overnight first. A biennial, so it crops for the best part of a year.

Pastinaca sativa

Slow and stubborn to germinate — use fresh seed and keep moist. A frost sweetens the roots.

Solanum tuberosum

Plant certified seed potatoes, not supermarket ones, and mound soil over the stems as they grow to swell the tubers.

Cucurbita maxima

Give it room to ramble. Leave fruit on the vine until the stem corks, then cure in the sun a fortnight.

Raphanus sativus

The quick win — ready in a month. Pull promptly before they turn woody and hot.

Eruca vesicaria

Fast and forgiving. Sow a short row every fortnight; flavour turns hot and bitter once it bolts.

Beta vulgaris var. cicla

The workhorse. Harvest outer stalks and it keeps throwing new growth for months.

Pisum sativum

A cool-season crop — sow when nights turn cold. Give them something to climb early.

Allium fistulosum

Snip what you need and leave the roots — many varieties simply regrow.

Zea mays

Sow in a block, not a row, so wind can pollinate it — sparse blocks give gappy cobs.

Ipomoea batatas

Plant rooted slips, not seed. Thrives in warmth; lift before the first cool snap dulls the tubers.

Solanum lycopersicum

Plant deep, stake at planting and water the soil — not the leaves — to dodge fungal disease in the humidity.

Cucurbita pepo

Hand-pollinate on humid mornings if fruit rots at the tip. Harvest at 15–20 cm; they bloat fast.

Ocimum basilicum

A warm-season herb — pinch the tips often and remove flower spikes to keep the leaves sweet.

Beta vulgaris

Each 'seed' is a cluster, so thin to one seedling. The thinnings are good eating as baby leaves.

Vicia faba

A cool-season legume — sow into cold soil. Pinch the tips once flowering to deter aphids and speed the pods.

Brassica oleracea (Italica)

Cut the main head with stalk and side shoots keep coming for weeks.

Brassica oleracea (Capitata)

Feed steadily for tight hearts. Net against cabbage moth from day one.

Capsicum annuum

Slow to start in the cool — bottom heat helps germination. Pinch the first flower for a stronger plant.

Daucus carota

Sow direct into fine, stone-free soil — never transplant. Keep the surface damp until the slow seed strikes.

Capsicum spp.

Loves heat and a long season. Hold back water and feeding as fruit ripens to sharpen the heat.

Phaseolus vulgaris

Sow straight into warm soil; seedlings sulk when transplanted. Pick daily to keep them cropping.

Coriandrum sativum

Bolts the moment it's warm — grow it through the cooler months and sow a little, often.

Cucumis sativus

Trellis to keep fruit off wet ground. Pick often and small — one overgrown cucumber stalls the whole vine.

Solanum melongena

Warm soil is everything. Net young plants against fruit fly and harvest while the skin is still glossy.

Allium sativum

Plant single cloves at the cool turn of autumn, pointy end up. Stop watering once the tops yellow.

Brassica oleracea (Acephala)

Sweeter after a cool night. Net early or squash cabbage-white caterpillars — they find it fast.

Allium ampeloprasum

Plant deep in a dibbed hole and don't backfill — the long blanched white shaft is the prize.

Lactuca sativa

Bolts in heat — pick outer leaves to keep one plant going for weeks, and sow a few at a time.

Brassica rapa (Chinensis)

A fast Asian green, ready in weeks. Sow in the cool so it doesn't bolt straight to flower.

Petroselinum crispum

Slow to germinate — soak the seed overnight first. A biennial, so it crops for the best part of a year.

Solanum tuberosum

Plant certified seed potatoes, not supermarket ones, and mound soil over the stems as they grow to swell the tubers.

Cucurbita maxima

Give it room to ramble. Leave fruit on the vine until the stem corks, then cure in the sun a fortnight.

Raphanus sativus

The quick win — ready in a month. Pull promptly before they turn woody and hot.

Eruca vesicaria

Fast and forgiving. Sow a short row every fortnight; flavour turns hot and bitter once it bolts.

Beta vulgaris var. cicla

The workhorse. Harvest outer stalks and it keeps throwing new growth for months.

Pisum sativum

A cool-season crop — sow when nights turn cold. Give them something to climb early.

Allium fistulosum

Snip what you need and leave the roots — many varieties simply regrow.

Zea mays

Sow in a block, not a row, so wind can pollinate it — sparse blocks give gappy cobs.

Ipomoea batatas

Plant rooted slips, not seed. Thrives in warmth; lift before the first cool snap dulls the tubers.

Solanum lycopersicum

Plant deep, stake at planting and water the soil — not the leaves — to dodge fungal disease in the humidity.

Cucurbita pepo

Hand-pollinate on humid mornings if fruit rots at the tip. Harvest at 15–20 cm; they bloat fast.

Ocimum basilicum

A warm-season herb — pinch the tips often and remove flower spikes to keep the leaves sweet.

Beta vulgaris

Each 'seed' is a cluster, so thin to one seedling. The thinnings are good eating as baby leaves.

Brassica oleracea (Italica)

Cut the main head with stalk and side shoots keep coming for weeks.

Brassica oleracea (Capitata)

Feed steadily for tight hearts. Net against cabbage moth from day one.

Capsicum annuum

Slow to start in the cool — bottom heat helps germination. Pinch the first flower for a stronger plant.

Daucus carota

Sow direct into fine, stone-free soil — never transplant. Keep the surface damp until the slow seed strikes.

Capsicum spp.

Loves heat and a long season. Hold back water and feeding as fruit ripens to sharpen the heat.

Phaseolus vulgaris

Sow straight into warm soil; seedlings sulk when transplanted. Pick daily to keep them cropping.

Coriandrum sativum

Bolts the moment it's warm — grow it through the cooler months and sow a little, often.

Cucumis sativus

Trellis to keep fruit off wet ground. Pick often and small — one overgrown cucumber stalls the whole vine.

Solanum melongena

Warm soil is everything. Net young plants against fruit fly and harvest while the skin is still glossy.

Allium sativum

Plant single cloves at the cool turn of autumn, pointy end up. Stop watering once the tops yellow.

Zingiber officinale

Plant plump rhizome pieces with a visible bud in warm, rich soil; harvest once the leaves die back.

Brassica oleracea (Acephala)

Sweeter after a cool night. Net early or squash cabbage-white caterpillars — they find it fast.

Lactuca sativa

Bolts in heat — pick outer leaves to keep one plant going for weeks, and sow a few at a time.

Abelmoschus esculentus

Loves heat. Pick the pods young at 8–10 cm or they turn stringy; wear sleeves, the plants can irritate skin.

Brassica rapa (Chinensis)

A fast Asian green, ready in weeks. Sow in the cool so it doesn't bolt straight to flower.

Petroselinum crispum

Slow to germinate — soak the seed overnight first. A biennial, so it crops for the best part of a year.

Cucurbita maxima

Give it room to ramble. Leave fruit on the vine until the stem corks, then cure in the sun a fortnight.

Raphanus sativus

The quick win — ready in a month. Pull promptly before they turn woody and hot.

Eruca vesicaria

Fast and forgiving. Sow a short row every fortnight; flavour turns hot and bitter once it bolts.

Beta vulgaris var. cicla

The workhorse. Harvest outer stalks and it keeps throwing new growth for months.

Vigna unguiculata ssp. sesquipedalis

A vigorous warm-climate climber — pick the long pods before the beans swell for the best texture.

Pisum sativum

A cool-season crop — sow when nights turn cold. Give them something to climb early.

Allium fistulosum

Snip what you need and leave the roots — many varieties simply regrow.

Zea mays

Sow in a block, not a row, so wind can pollinate it — sparse blocks give gappy cobs.

Ipomoea batatas

Plant rooted slips, not seed. Thrives in warmth; lift before the first cool snap dulls the tubers.

Solanum lycopersicum

Plant deep, stake at planting and water the soil — not the leaves — to dodge fungal disease in the humidity.

Cucurbita pepo

Hand-pollinate on humid mornings if fruit rots at the tip. Harvest at 15–20 cm; they bloat fast.

Ocimum basilicum

A warm-season herb — pinch the tips often and remove flower spikes to keep the leaves sweet.

Beta vulgaris

Each 'seed' is a cluster, so thin to one seedling. The thinnings are good eating as baby leaves.

Brassica oleracea (Italica)

Cut the main head with stalk and side shoots keep coming for weeks.

Brassica oleracea (Capitata)

Feed steadily for tight hearts. Net against cabbage moth from day one.

Capsicum annuum

Slow to start in the cool — bottom heat helps germination. Pinch the first flower for a stronger plant.

Daucus carota

Sow direct into fine, stone-free soil — never transplant. Keep the surface damp until the slow seed strikes.

Capsicum spp.

Loves heat and a long season. Hold back water and feeding as fruit ripens to sharpen the heat.

Phaseolus vulgaris

Sow straight into warm soil; seedlings sulk when transplanted. Pick daily to keep them cropping.

Coriandrum sativum

Bolts the moment it's warm — grow it through the cooler months and sow a little, often.

Cucumis sativus

Trellis to keep fruit off wet ground. Pick often and small — one overgrown cucumber stalls the whole vine.

Solanum melongena

Warm soil is everything. Net young plants against fruit fly and harvest while the skin is still glossy.

Zingiber officinale

Plant plump rhizome pieces with a visible bud in warm, rich soil; harvest once the leaves die back.

Brassica oleracea (Acephala)

Sweeter after a cool night. Net early or squash cabbage-white caterpillars — they find it fast.

Lactuca sativa

Bolts in heat — pick outer leaves to keep one plant going for weeks, and sow a few at a time.

Abelmoschus esculentus

Loves heat. Pick the pods young at 8–10 cm or they turn stringy; wear sleeves, the plants can irritate skin.

Brassica rapa (Chinensis)

A fast Asian green, ready in weeks. Sow in the cool so it doesn't bolt straight to flower.

Petroselinum crispum

Slow to germinate — soak the seed overnight first. A biennial, so it crops for the best part of a year.

Cucurbita maxima

Give it room to ramble. Leave fruit on the vine until the stem corks, then cure in the sun a fortnight.

Raphanus sativus

The quick win — ready in a month. Pull promptly before they turn woody and hot.

Eruca vesicaria

Fast and forgiving. Sow a short row every fortnight; flavour turns hot and bitter once it bolts.

Hibiscus sabdariffa

Grown for its tangy calyces — pick them young and tender just after the petals drop, for jam and cordial.

Beta vulgaris var. cicla

The workhorse. Harvest outer stalks and it keeps throwing new growth for months.

Vigna unguiculata ssp. sesquipedalis

A vigorous warm-climate climber — pick the long pods before the beans swell for the best texture.

Pisum sativum

A cool-season crop — sow when nights turn cold. Give them something to climb early.

Allium fistulosum

Snip what you need and leave the roots — many varieties simply regrow.

Zea mays

Sow in a block, not a row, so wind can pollinate it — sparse blocks give gappy cobs.

Ipomoea batatas

Plant rooted slips, not seed. Thrives in warmth; lift before the first cool snap dulls the tubers.

Colocasia esculenta

Wants wet feet — grow in damp, rich ground. Always cook the corms and leaves; raw they're an irritant.

Solanum lycopersicum

Plant deep, stake at planting and water the soil — not the leaves — to dodge fungal disease in the humidity.

Cucurbita pepo

Hand-pollinate on humid mornings if fruit rots at the tip. Harvest at 15–20 cm; they bloat fast.

Ocimum basilicum

A warm-season herb — pinch the tips often and remove flower spikes to keep the leaves sweet.

Beta vulgaris

Each 'seed' is a cluster, so thin to one seedling. The thinnings are good eating as baby leaves.

Brassica oleracea (Italica)

Cut the main head with stalk and side shoots keep coming for weeks.

Brassica oleracea (Capitata)

Feed steadily for tight hearts. Net against cabbage moth from day one.

Capsicum annuum

Slow to start in the cool — bottom heat helps germination. Pinch the first flower for a stronger plant.

Daucus carota

Sow direct into fine, stone-free soil — never transplant. Keep the surface damp until the slow seed strikes.

Capsicum spp.

Loves heat and a long season. Hold back water and feeding as fruit ripens to sharpen the heat.

Phaseolus vulgaris

Sow straight into warm soil; seedlings sulk when transplanted. Pick daily to keep them cropping.

Coriandrum sativum

Bolts the moment it's warm — grow it through the cooler months and sow a little, often.

Cucumis sativus

Trellis to keep fruit off wet ground. Pick often and small — one overgrown cucumber stalls the whole vine.

Solanum melongena

Warm soil is everything. Net young plants against fruit fly and harvest while the skin is still glossy.

Allium sativum

Plant single cloves at the cool turn of autumn, pointy end up. Stop watering once the tops yellow.

Brassica oleracea (Acephala)

Sweeter after a cool night. Net early or squash cabbage-white caterpillars — they find it fast.

Lactuca sativa

Bolts in heat — pick outer leaves to keep one plant going for weeks, and sow a few at a time.

Abelmoschus esculentus

Loves heat. Pick the pods young at 8–10 cm or they turn stringy; wear sleeves, the plants can irritate skin.

Brassica rapa (Chinensis)

A fast Asian green, ready in weeks. Sow in the cool so it doesn't bolt straight to flower.

Petroselinum crispum

Slow to germinate — soak the seed overnight first. A biennial, so it crops for the best part of a year.

Cucurbita maxima

Give it room to ramble. Leave fruit on the vine until the stem corks, then cure in the sun a fortnight.

Raphanus sativus

The quick win — ready in a month. Pull promptly before they turn woody and hot.

Eruca vesicaria

Fast and forgiving. Sow a short row every fortnight; flavour turns hot and bitter once it bolts.

Cucumis melo

Thrives in dry heat. Ripe when the fruit slips cleanly from the stem and smells sweet at the base.

Beta vulgaris var. cicla

The workhorse. Harvest outer stalks and it keeps throwing new growth for months.

Pisum sativum

A cool-season crop — sow when nights turn cold. Give them something to climb early.

Allium fistulosum

Snip what you need and leave the roots — many varieties simply regrow.

Zea mays

Sow in a block, not a row, so wind can pollinate it — sparse blocks give gappy cobs.

Ipomoea batatas

Plant rooted slips, not seed. Thrives in warmth; lift before the first cool snap dulls the tubers.

Solanum lycopersicum

Plant deep, stake at planting and water the soil — not the leaves — to dodge fungal disease in the humidity.

Citrullus lanatus

Needs heat, room and steady water until the fruit sets — then ease off to concentrate the sugars.

Cucurbita pepo

Hand-pollinate on humid mornings if fruit rots at the tip. Harvest at 15–20 cm; they bloat fast.