Timing is the secret to growing from seed. Sow at the right moment and seeds germinate fast and grow strong; sow too early or too late and even good seed struggles. This is your overview of the whole growing year — how a sowing calendar works, what to do season by season, and a detailed, month-by-month calendar for each type of seed.
Sowing calendars
The four sowing calendars
One for each main range. Each shows when to sow, plant out and harvest — month by month — and comes with a free printable PDF.
How a sowing calendar works
Most seeds are sown in one of two ways. Tender crops and many flowers are started indoors several weeks before the last frost, then planted out when the weather warms. Hardy, fast crops are sown direct into the soil where they will grow. A sowing calendar simply tells you, for each plant, which method to use and which months to do it in. Your local last-frost date is the anchor: count back from it for indoor sowings, and forward from it for sowing and planting outdoors.
The growing year at a glance
Every garden and climate is a little different, but the rhythm of the year is the same. Here is the shape of the season:
- Late winter (roughly Feb–Mar). Start slow or tender crops indoors — tomatoes, peppers, chillies and many flowers — on a warm, bright sill or in a propagator.
- Spring (Mar–May). The main sowing season. Sow hardy vegetables and flowers direct as the soil warms, keep sowing indoors, and harden off early plants before they go out.
- Summer (Jun–Aug). Keep sowing little and often for a steady supply, and start crops that will mature into autumn. Water and feed as growth speeds up.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov). Sow hardy crops and green manures, plant overwintering varieties, and collect and store seed for next year.
- Winter (Dec–Jan). Mostly planning and tidying — order seed, clean pots, and get ready to start again in late winter.
New to all this? Start with our beginner's guide to growing from seed, or learn the two core methods in starting seeds indoors and direct sowing outdoors.
Why sowing at the right time matters
Sowing in season means warmer soil, longer days and stronger light — exactly what seedlings need. Sow too early and plants sit cold and check their growth, or grow leggy indoors while they wait for it to warm up outside. Sow too late and they may not have time to crop before the season ends. Following a calendar takes out the guesswork and gives every sowing its best chance.
Frequently asked questions
What if I sow a little late?
For many fast crops it is fine — you will simply harvest a bit later. Choose quick-maturing varieties to catch up.
Do these dates work for my area?
Use them as a guide and adjust to your own last-frost date — a week or two earlier in mild areas, later in cold ones.
Can I sow indoors all year?
Many herbs and salad leaves grow on a windowsill year-round; most fruiting crops need the longer days of spring and summer.
Where do I get the free printable calendars?
Open any of the four calendars above and tell us where to send it — the PDF lands in your inbox.
Pick your calendar above, or browse all seeds.
