Although we like to think we’re all “sowing the seeds of love”, as the famous Tears for Fears song goes – the reality is that amateur or beginner gardeners frequently struggle to know which seeds to sow in each month of the year. Even some genuine green thumbs battle to keep up with their planting calendars or sowing schedules.
Different flowers, plants, fruit, or veggies require planting at different times of the year. Some months, such as the spring months, have a greater number of options for seed sowing available. But, did you know that even in the months that most people write off as icy and “inactive”, such as December, January or February or the less obvious ones, such as October and November, there are still some sensational seeds to sow?
All you need is a little inspiration, some gardening gusto, and a handy monthly seed-sowing guide.
This in-depth piece explains what seeds to sow each month, helping gardeners plan their seed shopping for the year and get the most rewarding and year-round enjoyment from their garden or allotment!
Here’s a quick glance at our monthly seed-sowing guide.
Jump to a specific season:
Seeds to sow in January
January might feel like a dormant month as far as growing is concerned, but there are a few flower seeds, fruit plants and veggie seeds that you can sow and grow now for plentiful pickings come springtime.
The following are the best seeds to plant in strong greenhouses where they’ll be protected from the harsh and icy elements indoors:
Veg:
- Chillies
- Microgreens such as radish, spinach, beetroot, mizuna, rocket, coriander, mustard and fennel
- Potatoes
- Herb seeds
- Onion seeds
- Garlic: outside
- Fruit: woodland strawberries, “Glaskin’s Perpetual” rhubarb
Flowers:
- Sweet peas
- Snapdragons
- Pelargoniums
- Carnations/ pinks
Seeds to sow in February
February might be the chilly tail end of winter, but springtime is certainly beckoning on the horizon! There are plenty of fruits, flowers, and vegetables to sow and grow this month.
Veg:
- Aubergines
- Tomatoes
- peppers
- Broad beans (undercover in a luxury greenhouse would be advisable)
- Cucumbers
- Spinach
Peas
- Chillies
- Jerusalem artichoke tubers outdoors
Flowers:
- Hardy perennials
- Sweet peas
- Chrysanthemums (start them off in a greenhouse for an earlier bloom)
- Hollyhocks
- Stock
- Geraniums
- Dahlia tubers
Seeds to sow in March
Woohoo, it’s March, and spring is finally here. In milder parts of the UK, the soil is beginning to warm up for outdoor planting. However, plenty of seeds can be started in a propagator if you're still getting frost.
Veg:
- Tomatoes
- Chillies
- Aubergines undercover
- First early potatoes outdoors
- Swiss chard
- Radish
- Spring onions
- Spinach
- Kale
Half-hardy flower annuals such as:
- Tagetes
- Cosmos
- Nicotiana
- Cleome
- Amaranthus
- Zinnia
- Marigold
- Cornflowers
- Morning Glories
Seeds to sow in April
Gardens begin to burst back into life with the welcome combination of sunshine and showers. On a good day, it can feel like the weather has indeed turned - although there may still be a bit of frost or a few showers.
Veg:
- Runner beans and courgettes under glass on a sunny windowsill or in a greenhouse
- Aubergines
- Chillies
- Tomatoes
- Squashes
- Pumpkins
- Marrows
- Leeks (under cover)
- Beetroot
- Carrot
- Celeriac
- Peas
- Swiss chard
- Second early and maincrop seed potatoes
- Onion and shallots
- Jerusalem Artichokes
Flowers:
- Nicotiana
- Cosmos
- Morning glory
- Something different: Few people have heard of “cutting celery”, much less growing it in their gardens. Other names include par-cel, leaf celery, and wild celery. It resembles parsley, but it tastes like celery
Seeds to sow in May
One of the loveliest months of the year. The weather is noticeably warmer and sunnier, the days are becoming longer, and summer is definitely on its way.
Veg:
- Purple sprouting broccoli
- Spring onions outside
- Spinach
- Lettuce
- Beetroot
- Radish
- Cucumber
- Peas
- Carrots
- Sweetcorn
- Courgettes (undercover at the start of the month, outside toward the end of the month)
Flowers:
- Candytuft ‘Dwarf Fairy’ cornflower
- Sunflowers
- Zinnias
- Foxgloves
- Sweet rocket
- Patio shrubs
- Lavender
Seeds to sow in June
It’s time to sit back, open that bottle of Rosé and enjoy! With the longest day bringing oodles of extra warmth and sunshine (fingers crossed), you can start planting in earnest.
Veg:
- Beetroot
- Radishes
- Lettuce
- Peas
- Runner, French and soybeans
- Spring onions
- Courgettes
- Lettuce
- Carrots
Flowers:
- Zinnias
- Foxgloves</